EXPERT SESSIONS AND ADVICE FROM QUALIFIED AND EXPERIENCED GRASSROOTS RUGBY COACHES
Rugby netball is a good game for warm-ups. Here’s how I add in my progressions and why.
Use a pitch with a try scoring zone at each end.
Equipment is different size rugby balls, tennis balls, football, frisbee even.
Attacker cannot run with ball in hand and passes to attackers who can, once you receive a pass you stop to pass again. It is multidirectional.
Defenders can intercept the ball then attack.
Attackers cannot stand in the try scoring zone waiting for ball to score. To score a try, the attackers have to pass to player moving into the try scoring zone.
Want attackers to be finding the space. Working hard off the ball.
I normally progress quickly.
If ball is dropped turnover but add in a different ball to a new attacker.
Tennis balls can only be caught one-handed.
Add in two balls to the attacking team, turnover if a player receives a ball when already holding one.
Ball cannot be passed above shoulder height (really encourages attackers to move to space – getting in front of the defenders).
Ball must be passed within 2/3 seconds of catching it. Defenders must be a 1m away from player with ball.
Introduce kicks too.
Use all the progressions as before but attacker with ball can now also run, if touched by a defender then player must pass or kick – still multidirectional. Defender who makes touch must take a knee and rejoin game once ball is passed/kicked.
Turnovers if the ball lands on the ground.
At boss level, it’s interesting to watch them play as they naturally build attacks, and ball tends to go backwards rather forwards. All of this without them realising that they are then starting to play it as rugby.
Ask them what are they seeing? How is the game now being played? What can be improved?
Move this game on to ball can only go backwards but with one player who can stand in the offside (ahead of the play) position and can receive a kick to score.
More examples of rugby netball on the site:
Use this blocked attack game (one team attacks for a period of time) to challenge players to apply the principles of play under pressure. The attacking team get extra “lives” for good support when they score tries. MORE
Scenarios offer a great way of engaging your players in games. By putting the players in a specific point of a well known match, they get the opportunity to develop their game management. For younger players, scenarios give them the opportunity to be their favourite players of their favourite teams. For older players, scenarios give them the opportunity to challenge their decision making with regards to the score-line and also how to deal with specific threats or weaknesses in future opposition. MORE
in Rugby drills, Warm Ups
"When asked what my three go-to U12s warm-ups are, I have no hesitation in listing them out", says Dan Brockhurst, owner of DB Sports Coaching. MORE
in Rugby drills, Warm Ups
Here are four great warm-up games to energise your players while working on skills and decision-making. Notice that I'm keen to showcase player-led activities for warm-up games. This is a good chance to build more cohesion amongst the players, while you are still providing a certain amount of control on the direction of the session. MORE
Threats...what are they, what do they look like and how can we stop using them. MORE
in Passing & Handling, Small-sided games
Made a mistake in training and dropped a ball. Help the players with the food rule. MORE
