Scrum Technique 1 v 2

This drill acts as a warm up for the single player, with the other two simply providing resistance. The single player must maintain a strong body position and push the other two backwards.

Step 4 - Introducing the 2 v 2 Scrum

Junior - 2 v 1 1

Junior - 2 v 1 1

Junior - 2 v 1 2

Junior - 2 v 1 2

Step 3 - Introducing the 1 v 1 Scrum

Sevens - 2 v 1

A variety of passes create a 2 v 1 which is executed perfectly for the outside attacker to score. Key factors : Different angles of running and support - Comunication - Ball presentation - Effective clearing of defenders at the breakdown - Accurate wide passes - Attack the inside shoulder of the last defender - Flat spin pass

Men's - 2 v 1

A good example of phase play to create a 2 v 1 attacking platform. The initial deep pass then creates an overlap and the defender drifts to allow the attacker to run through easily.

Key factors : Quick ball at breakdown - Straight lines of running - Deep pass - straight lines of running again - Loud communication

Sevens - 2 v 1

Having identified a 2 v 1 situation, the RGS Guildford player decides not to give an early pass from the breakdown, but instead to run and commit the defender before giving a pass to his teammate. Key factors: Timing - communication - accurate passing

Women's - 2 v 1

Women's - 2 v 1

2 v 1 Draw and Pass

A basic 2 v 1 drill that encourages players to time their pass after they have drawn a defender, and for the supporting player to hold their depth.

Women's - 2 v 3 1

Women's - 2 v 3 1

Sevens - 2 v 1

Seven's is about creating chances and then taking them. In this clip the Blue team take the ball up the middle of the pitch to draw in defenders, after recycling the ball they have a 2 v 1 opportunity, a straight line of running and a flat wide pass creates the try. Key factors : Call early - Run straight - Wide spin pass - Catch and swerve to score

Sevens - 2 v 1 2

Men's - 3 v 2 1

A passage of play that shows how to attack with more attackers than defenders, a 3 v 2. The winger shows that strong running and determination can break tackles. Click on the practises in this section for coaching ideas

Passing - 2 v 1 Static Defender

Now working in just twos, we are concerned with depth, and the timing of the pass. Allow players to practice before adding a static defender. This can be a tackle bag as demonstrated. Players take the ball up to the defender but must complete the pass before they reach it.

2 v 1 with withd & flat pass

These are core skill drills for youngsters to learn the game. As a coach you can alter the width and depth of the supporting players

2 v 1 Passing

Adding a live defender helps to encourage players to hold their depth in support, so a good pass can be completed.

Junior - 3 v 2 1

Learning to pass 2 v 1

Developing lines of running to attack the inside shoulder of defenders

Introducing live defenders for 2 v 1

Developing passing skills with more pressure and intensity

Attack 2 v 1

A good decision-making exercise which requires players to practice their basic running and passing skills

Quins Defence - 2 v 2 tackling

A progression from the 1 v 1 drill this exercise adds extra players to make the decision making process more realistic. The coaches can vary the delivery of the ball and the width of the area to put different conditions to the players

6 v 2 v 2 v 2 v 3

Developing the skills into decision making down a channel

11. 6 v 2 v 2 v 2

3 v 2 in Channel

A development of the 2 v 1 and 3 v1 drills, the attackers now must beat 2 defenders. This requires more decision-making ability as the movements of the defenders could change every time. Players must communicate as well as continue to perform their handling and running skills.

3 v 2 in channel

A good progression from the 2 v 1 drill

3 v 1 in Channel

A progression from the 2 v 1, where a second pass is encouraged to move the ball away from the defender.

Scrum - 1 vs 1

Practice body position and warm up for full scrum session.

Level 2 - Scrum Body Positions

Level 2 - Scrum Body Positions

1 v 1 defence

Winger positional skills.

Evasion 1 v 1 after pass

Core skills handling

Women's - 2 v 3 2

Quins - Tackle Technique 1 v 1

A new tackle technique exercise without the "Bone on Bone" collisions

Men's - 3 v 2 2

Quins Defence - 1 v 1 tackle skills

Close contact in a small channel ensures the players work their movement skills in both attack and defence. The coach reinforces the skills for contact prior to progressing this exercise

1 v 1 Tackling in Channel

An opportunity for players to put what they have learnt on tackle technique into practice. Each tackle is observed by all other players who can give feedback. Ensure all players have a go at attacking and defending.

Evasion 1 v 1

A decision making exercise to beat defenders and attack shoulders

1. Support - 1,2,3 Follow Through

Isolated technical practice

Courtesy of the SRU

1 v 1 Evasion Skills

A lone attacker must beat a single defender. This is great way to develop evasion skills in the attacker, and positioning for the defender.

1 v 1 attack

Winger positional skills training.

Junior - 3 v 2 2

Passing - 3 v 2 Live Defenders

Gradually progress from 2 static defenders, to 3 v 2 roaming defenders. The first two players must draw their defenders before giving the pass.

Women's - Straight Scrums 2

Women's - Straight Scrums 2

Level 2 - Back Row Example Clip 1

Level 2 - Back Row Example Clip 1

Sevens - Wheeled Scrums 1

A strong scrum can be a great weapon for attack in seven's, in this clip the Red scrum puts pressure on the defending loose head (Right hand prop) which wheels the scrum and allows the defending scrum half to disrupt the ball forcing a turnover. Key factors : Tight binding - Low body position - Leg drive - Working as a unit

Step 5 - Introducing the 3 v 3 Scrum

Junior - Straight Scrums 2

Two even packs compete at the scrum, good technique creates a good and safe contest. The black team use the platform from the scrum to score a try wide out. Key factors : 8 players working as a unit - Calling - Strong body position - Hips, back and head all facing forward - Accurate binding

Sevens - Straight Scrums 2

Scrums are a great platform to attack from in seven's, notice the fly half (2nd reciever) is directly behind the scrum and can choose which way to attack. Key factors : Work as a unit - Strong core - Tight binding - Leg drive

Women's - Straight Scrums 1

A well contested scrum from both teams. Good technique and body position ensure a solid and safe scrum. The red team use this restart to kick and gain territory. Key factors : Strong body position - Tight binding between the players - Calling - Players push in a straight line - Ball control from ther no 8

British Lions - Play from scrum - continuity 2

Developing play from the scrum is an important part of the understanding of how the scrum is part of a gameplan

8-man Scrum v Machine

Testing your scrums in training using a scrum machine / sled helps to ensure all of your pack practice the correct body position and timing in cooperation with their team mates. This is a great time to try out new combinations of players before match day.

Men's - Straight Scrums 1

An example of a straight scrum.

Men's - Collapsed Scrums 2

An example of a collapsed scrum

Level 2 - Scrum Warm up Activities

This clip shows some appropriate warm up activities for the scrum

Men's - Wheeled Scrums 2

An example of a wheeled scrum

British Lions - scrum practice 2

Progressiing the scrum practice always requires the underlining of the basics of the unit skill

Men's - Straight Scrums 2

An example of a straight scrum

Sevens - Straight Scrums 1

A strong scrum from the black team turns over the ball for an attack. The left hand prop (Loose head) puts pressure on the Red team hooker so that he does not hook the ball effectively. Key factors : Tight binding - Low driving position - Working as a unit - Leg drive

3 v 2 and then another defender

Develop decision-making skills in attack. 3 attackers must beat 2 defenders, before facing a third immediately after.

8-man Scrum v Machine

With the brakes on, the scrum is more realistic to game situations, and the players must apply power at the same time to achieve any movement.

Scrum Factory - 1. Body Shape Intro

Develop the individual before the unit as a whole

Passing 4 v 3 reset

A progression from 2 v 1 , 3 v 2 to 4 v 3

Scrum Factory - 2. Tower of Power Demonstration

Good body posture is essential and applicable to all players regardless of age and gender
This posture transfers to the tackle, ruck, maul and in a vertical plain the lineout, so it is important that all players are coached to adopt good posture in contact

Junior - Wheeled Scrums 2

Men's - Ref awarding penalty at scrum 1

Men's - Collapsed Scrums 1

Sevens - Ref awarding penalty at scrum 2

Sevens - Ref awarding penalty at scrum 1

Passing - 3 v 2 Static Defenders

Progress to working in 3s against two static defenders. The pressure is on the middle player to hold their depth and perform a quick pass.

Men's - Wheeled Scrums 1

Junior - Wheeled Scrums 1

Junior - Collapsed Scrums 1

Junior - Collapsed Scrums 2

Women's - Collapsed Scrums 2

Women's - Collapsed Scrums 1

3 v 2 How to Fix Defenders

Running straight & fixing defenders is a skill that all players must learn and learn at an early age. The top players regularly practise this skill to maintain accuracy. This is the building block to scoring tries

3 v 2 attacking practice

A useful drill to build decision-making skills. Attackers must choose from a variety of running and passing options.

Women's - Wheeled Scrums 2

Sevens - Wheeled Scrums 2

Women's - Wheeled Scrums 1

11. 4 v 2 Continuous Touch Rugby

Level 2 - Scrum Engagement

Tackling on Knees - 3 v 1

Using three attackers ensures the defender tackles on both sides and from slightly different angles. The coach can vary the pace and width of this exercise

Men's - Ref awarding penalty at scrum 2

Materiality Clip 1 - Scrum Binding

Attack Grid - 4 v 2

This continuous exercise puts pressure on your players to think fast and be ruthless in attacking the space. Coaches can change the size of the grid and the number of defenders to make it an easier game

Broncos 1 - Scramble defence - Tracking back

Use this exercise to replicate a line break with one defender to beat. The attackers need to move the defender and execute a 2 v 1 while the initial defender tracks back to stop the pass. Also works movement at top end speed for the main attacker

Men's - Offloads 2

A counter attack invlving moving the ball wide quickly, then attack defenders with support runners and finally a 2 v 1 to score in the corner. Key factors : Strong communication - Wide spin passes - Attacking the space around defenders - Support the ball carrier from behind - Offload with two hands - straight running - Flat pass

L2 - Outflanking Game

Skill Practice Description The objective of this game is to develop the ability to execute the 2 v 1 with consistent efficiency. • The attacking team initially has at least one extra players in order to create an advantage. • There is a channel on each wing in which only 1 defender and 2 attackers may enter at any time. • The attack works the play to get the ball into the outside channel then execute the 2 v 1. • With the extra players, the attack can also develop opportunities to penetrate the defence and so the game in not relying on lateral moment and still incorporates the principles of ‘go forward’. • The progression is to remove the cones and see if the players can still take advantage of the 2 v 1 without the conditions set within the channelled areas . • A further progression would be to even the numbers of each team. Key Coaching Points • Running lines to condense and hold defences in order to outflank. • Running lines in order to disrupt and penetrate the defence line. Relevance to the Game • Attacking players often fail to fix defenders effectively and may drift or over elaborate. • This game will assist in angles of run that fix the last defender

Sevens - Strike Moves 1

A simple but effective attack from a scrum. Three good passes provides the winger to run past his defender to score. Notice how the first reciever is directly behind the scrum and not to the side, (This makes the pass from the scrum easier when under pressure). Key factors : Position of 1st reciever - Run straigh and wide spin pass - Speed of the runner

Functional Movement Warm Up Part 2

Every player should be able to perform these movements well! Mastering these will carry over to preventing injuries, managing collisions and maximising power and speed. Check out the related videos for part 1.

Men's - Patterns of play 1

Three phases of play with accurate passing and quick ball from each breakdown creates the opportunity for the scrum half to run through and score

Key factors : Present a target with your hands - Pass the ball laterally - Run straight / inside shoulder of the defender

Sevens - Strike Moves 2

Players can strike from any location on the pitch, in this clip the Red team relax thinking they have the attackers behind their own posts, however a strong scrum, good pass and great step create the gap to go through, the next 95 metres is all about speed and fitnes. Key factors : Space beetween attackers - Good pass - Side step - Speed - Stamina

Women's - Patterns of Play 1

Three phases of play with accurate passing and quick ball from each breakdown creates the opportunity for the scrum half to run through and score Key factors Present a target with your hands Pass the ball laterally Run straight / inside shoulder of the defender

2-man Tackle and Decision-making

This practice develops communication in a three v three game format

Functional Movement Warm Up Part 1

Every player should be able to perform these movements well! Mastering these will carry over to preventing injuries, managing collisions and maximising power and speed. Check out the related videos for part 2.

Defence - 1. Primary Threat

If the ball is tucked under one arm, the ball carrier is unlikely to throw a 10 metre miss pass. So are the attackers 2 and 3 places out the primary threat?
If the ball carrier is running with the ball in both hands, the immediate threat may have a wider radius

If two centres are running at a centre and a prop, the primary threat may be the space defended by the prop

Conditioned Touch - Linked defenders

In this game, two defenders must link up, slowing them down and creating more opportunities for the attacking side. This can create the overlap necessary to put 2 v 1 and 3 v 2 techniques into practice.

Scrum Factory - 9. Scrum Positions

The role of each position

Sevens - Full Lineout 2

Sevens - Full Lineout 2