EXPERT SESSIONS AND ADVICE FROM QUALIFIED AND EXPERIENCED GRASSROOTS RUGBY COACHES
We love games!
There’s plenty to choose from here.
We have: Adaptive games, game scenarios, touch rugby games, mini games, small-sided games, warm up games.
From tackling to handling, all require decision-making under pressure.
So look out for handling games, tackling games, rucking games, kicking games and even fitness games.
in Passing & Handling, Small-sided games
Ged Hall challenges players to be effective in finding space and passing, either on their feet or from the ground (the deck!). Good for fitness as well as decision-making. Deck hands is seemingly a very simple game to play, but beneath its simple exterior is a game that challenges players physically, mentally, tactically and technically. MORE
Twenty years of writing about coaching makes you reflective. I did use games 20 years ago. I invented some at the time, and still use variations of them. You would think by now I would have seen them all. MORE
in Attack, Passing & Handling, Small-sided games
Keep the players thinking about where to attack as the defence move around dynamically, adding in players as the attack becomes more successful. MORE
in Small-sided games, Warm Ups
Use this quick-to-set-up game, including an easy-to-adapt playground element, with rewards and forfeits thrown in. This is a game I will use at the start of sessions as a pulse raiser, sprint activation and to develop realistic evasion skills. It takes less than a minute to set up and can be played with three or more players. MORE
Use this game and its variation to create opportunities for players to make decisions on when to attack open or go back to the blindside. Create opportunities to stretch the defence and then attack where they are weakest. MORE
Here’s how I set up a game to work through some plays which had been designed to help a team run with either quick ball or slow ball from rucks. MORE
in Attack, Defence, Rugby drills, Small-sided games
I was helping out a representative under 15s training session. I had been given two techniques to cover as part of a skill. One attacking technique and one defensive. MORE
This session was run to improve both the attack and defence contact skills. Using games, it aimed to pressurise both sides into more accurate execution, motivated by wanting to win. The “ultras” added some extra pressure. MORE
Young players don’t get into position to restart games well. Help players discover better solutions with these game-based activities. MORE
If you have good tacklers but a poor defensive unit, use this game where small groups of defenders have to work hard to prevent tries as a team, says Craig Newby, Ulster skills coach. Using shorter, sharper sessions means players can concentrate on getting things right and also play at match-like intensity. This type of session is also far more enjoyable and means players give their all. MORE
