EXPERT SESSIONS AND ADVICE FROM QUALIFIED AND EXPERIENCED GRASSROOTS RUGBY COACHES
Teach your players the importance of avoiding the tackler while running in the right direction with this fun game that also works on player tracking and tackling.
A 7m square within a 15m square. Seven attackers, each holding a ball are in the 7m square with five defenders surrounding them (picture 1).
On your call of “Go!”, defenders run around their nearest outside cone then re-enter the square.
Attackers score a try by breaking out of the 15m square without being two-hand touch tackled by a defender (picture 2).
When all attackers have scored or been touched they turn and face the 7m square from outside the 15m square. Defenders now go into the 7m square. On your second call of “Go!”, defenders break from the small square while attackers look to get back into it without being touched (picture 3).
Play for two minutes. If numbers permit, play two squares and see who the best defence/attack is. Switch roles and repeat.
“Ball always in two hands”
“Constantly look left and right when in possession”.
By looking at defenders and where they are running, this game allows players to see where the defence is and take action to avoid it.
Thinking outside the box is currently the order of the day with Covid! So, I have used giant ladders to teach attacking shape and scanning with my players. The focus of this game is attack, but there is some defensive lessons that can be taken from this game too. SET UP If you have the... MORE
in Rugby drills, Small-sided games
My “Find the bib” game is adapted from the game called “Drop-off touch”. It challenges the players to look for mismatches and also create them too. MORE
in Passing & Handling, Rugby drills, Small-sided games
A fun game which forces players to push their passes hard towards the target, improving their accuracy and pass strength. One group aims to intercept a pass with their own ball (the “skeeter"). This activity encourages hard passes to a target, so will create better passing habits. MORE
This is an adaptation of a game I use in school. It’s great as a warm-up or as a game to encourage and support creativity before moving towards a more rugby-specific game. It encourages and challenges evasion skills, spatial awareness, communication, as well as passing, kicking and catching. MORE
Here is my version of Tens which should allow all your players in your squad to get the most out of the modified version of the game. MORE
Here’s a game of invasion, evasion, tactics, intensity, teamwork and nerve. Every player will be involved and it will help develop fitness as well as skills. This game is really active and allows everyone to take a role. Great for fitness due to a high work rate and also allows you to focus on a range of fundamental skills. MORE
