This is a very effective drill for developing decision making and awareness in support runners off a tackle situation
A progression from the 3 man scrum - developing body shape and positions
support has to read whch bag is being tackled and get to be in support by reading the situation
Progress lifting practises with more movement as is required in matches. The coach can alter things to make the exercise easier or more demanding. Key factors : Communication - Fast feet - Straight back - Squat / bend the knee's - Lock out arms
Develop the front row as a foundation for the building of the scrum
Tackle bags are a great tool to use in your conditioning sessions. The reduced impact allows players to peform high repititions of contact technique under fatigue, with low risk of injury.
Turnovers at the breakdown is back in the spotlight and the recent Australian performances have highlighted how important they are. Neal Hatley from Bath explains how the role of the 2nd man is key and how to practise the technique
This practice develops communication in a three v three game format
A good foundation exercise for technical development of practicing lifting with a tackle bag. You could use a contact pad or a tyre if you do not have a tackle bag. Key factors : Strong body position - Fast feet - Straigh back - Lock out the arms - Use momentum of both players
Tackling - Hunting a tackle
Expensive training equipment is not necessary and the simple rugby ball can provide an excellent technical and conditioning work out
Gradually progress from 2 static defenders, to 3 v 2 roaming defenders. The first two players must draw their defenders before giving the pass.
What is the role of the 2nd defender at the tackle or breakdown? How do you coach players to be effective
Tackling 18 - Man on Man Defence
Originally a rugby league practise this exercise is used for players to gain confidence in contact with both contact shields and the ground. Body position is important as is leg drive and the speed of hitting the ground and getting back up again. You can do this in lines and use it for fitness
This exercise is part of a tackle technique progression and pitches 3 attackers v 3 defenders. As in match play the attacking players will present different challenges to the defenders. The coaches can choose to alter the conditions to put more or less pressure on the players
Women's - 2 v 3 1
Encouraging players to improve their "Floor" skills is the key to improving contact skills such as tackling, rucking and competing for the ball. It might be simple but it is effective
[WITH DRILL VIDEOS] This session from Joe Goodman (Bristol University Rugby) has been designed to prepare players for a return to full contact competition, re-establishing correct technique to ensure safe, efficient tackling through progressively increasing the level of contact and complexity of skill execution.
Using the full length of the pitch the practice is a continuous 3 v 2 scenario. • 3 attackers knock over a bag to collect a ball and attack 2 defenders in the 5m channel. • If they fail to beat the defenders (touch/grip), the attackers run back to knock over another bag and start again. • Having beaten the first defenders they carry on with the same ball to beat 2 further defenders who may choose a colour and start from the appropriate cone. • If the attackers fail to beat the defence they run back to the bag and start again with another ball. The defence can choose another colour to start from. • The next challenge is two free roaming defenders. If the attack fail they go back and knock over another bag to start again. • Finally the defenders choose a colour to start from and if the attack fail they get another ball and the defence choose another starting colour. • The objective is to complete the attack with the starting ball and restarts. Keep score to create competition
Lions 2009 defence clip
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
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.
In pairs. Each player grabs one end of the tackle pad. The players wrestle to grab the tackle pad from the other players grasp. Repeat a couple of times.
Starting with a simple 3 man passing drill the coach adds pressure adding fixed defenders and then live defenders, the progressions are intended to be game related. Ask questions to confirm technical points
A progression from 2 v 1 , 3 v 2 to 4 v 3
Tackling 20 - 2 man Tackle
Men's - Strike Moves 3
Develop decision-making skills in attack. 3 attackers must beat 2 defenders, before facing a third immediately after.
The breakdown is decided by what the 1st man in support does, this is cruelly exposed in Seven's rugby but in Fifteen's we often miss poor technique because of the number of players involved
A progression from 3 v 2s, this drill is closer to a game situation, where there are more decisions for the attacking players to make. The gaps could appear in a variety of locations and they have several passing /running options. With 4 attacking players, you may wish to utilise your basic strike moves.
A game for support running and lifting the ball off the floor after the tackle
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.
Men's - Lineout maul good defence 3
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
Men's - Exiting the 22m 3
A great drill for developing reactions and speed off the floor
Women's - Patterns of Play 3
A demonstration of how to construct a full, 8-man scrum.
Introducing contact and breakdown skills to younger players can be a challenge for many coaches, in this clip the Northampton saints community coaches explain some of the technical points and use some simple practises to help them learn
A progression from the 2 v 1, where a second pass is encouraged to move the ball away from the defender.
This clip provides some advice for the front row on their binding, body position and driving in the scrum.
Lineout variation and practice
Developimg attack plays through the backs
A scrum half needs good vision, speed and awareness, quick hands and lightning reactions. The scrum half is the key link between the forwards and the back line. A good scrum half will know how to vary the play and take advantage of any opportunity that the opposition may offer
The fly half is the heart beat of the side and should be a key influence on the way the team plays the game. Almost every attack will go through the fly half, so they need to develop tactical awareness, accurate passing, kicking accuracy, vision, leadership and resilience
Working in units and working through phases is crucial to modern day sevens and in this clip the White team show great technique and patience to work their way up the field to score. Key factors : Ball retention - Communication - Work in units - Accurate passing - Patience - Stamina
A well organised re start with one main attacker challenging for the ball with support both in front and behind him, if the ball is knocked either side of the main catcher the ball will be gathered by his teammates. Great leg drive to continue the attack and a very long pass to complete the scoring. Key factors : Accurate kick - Focus on the ball - Sideways jump - Catch ball above head - Structured support
Accurate skills are the key to lineouts in seven's, a combination of movement, lifting and throw combine to make an effective restart for the attacking team. The shape of the attacking side is pre planned to create a mis - match with a faster player v a slower one. key factors : Pre call the move - Fast feet - Strong core for jumper - Support from both players to lift the jumper - Jumper to jump - Accurate throw - Support he jumper to the ground - Offload pass to scrum half
This illustration is an up-and-out system and not a drift
This relies on the defenders continuing to press forward, closing the space as they shadow the attacking players
To practice the core passing technique before integrating into a moving drill or game.
If you can commit a lifting pod at the back of the lineout, it should leave uncontested space in the middle to win the ball.
Players walk into the lineout and lift as soon as they are in line. If there are no defending jumpers, the best option is to go straight up in the middle. This requires practice to ensure timing and communication between, the hooker, jumper and lifters is right.
As a progression from your lineout variation practice, it is important to test your pack's ability to make decisions under pressure. Here, they must react to the positioning of two defending jumpers and put the ball to the space.
Repetitive exercises can help players become familiar with tackling technique.
This is an intuitive decision-making pratice
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
Players to attack with "Heads up" and identify where colleagues have space. Supporting players to call early to the ball carriers. Defenders to stay tight to not let attack through the middle spaces easily
The first wave of attackers identify space and punch through the first line of defence. The ball carrier looks to move the ball quickly and away from covering defenders. This exercise tries to copy game situations as players cover their team mates in defence
A quick lineout allows players to attack a "broken field" defence. Running at space moves the defenders and the suport player comes from depth behind the attacker to score. Key factors : Loud communication - Accurate spin pass - Attacking space - Trail support - Pop pass - Quick running
An example of a wheeled scrum
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.
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.
The lineout competition is not won and lost when the ball is caught. If the team defending the throw cannot compete in the air, they can subsequently compete on the ground and disrupt the quality of possession the opposition wish to use