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:
in Kicking & Catching, Small-sided games
Improve your kicking with a game of aerial noughts and crosses. Teams take it in turns to kick the ball and aim to drop it in a square which marks their nought or cross. Aerial noughts and crosses gives your players a chance to make accurate kicks with additional tactical pressures as you build the game. MORE
in Warm Ups
Use these warm up activities to engage your players at the start of a session, plus activate their minds and bodies. MORE
in Kicking & Catching, Small-sided games
Here’s how I’ve challenged my players’ kicking and fielding thinking with the law experiment with the 50:22 rule. MORE
in Footwork and evasion, Small-sided games
If a player can attack the ball at an angle the defence is not expecting, there’s a better chance of breaking the defensive line. Here’s how it works and how to practise it. MORE
Challenge players' decision-making during transitional phases of play. The game presents lots of opportunities to work against a broken defence, build momentum and create opportunities to score. MORE
in Warm Ups
Even young players need to do warm ups. But don’t let them become boring. Instead, build themes for players to follow to allow them to access the benefits of a good preparation for training or matches. MORE
