In groups of 4, players must support each other through a tight channel of tackle shields, before panning out to complete lateral passes to the wing.
An introduction to coaching the lateral pass
To develop the lateral passing and take a look at the fundamental movements
handling progression for developing lines of running and support
Handling Progression for developing the ability to create depth from a flat line
A simple lateral passing exercise for all standards. These basic skills are fundamental to rugby and should be repeated using a number of different practises. Key factors : Communication - Present a target with your hands - Run straight - Pass the ball across your body - Realign to repeat
A core passing exercise for developing the lateral passing drill
Developing our lateral passing skills. The coach can alter the width, depth and number of players
When a solid Filton defence has denied them the outside, Oaklands College are able to break through the line thanks to good running lines from close supporting players and accurate offload passes.
Core skills development of teh lateral pass whgilst running
Here are different ways to develop a basic lateral pass exercise. Either increase the amount of players, or ask them to start from different positions.
A quick exercise to identify ability in catching & passing. Encourage players to have targets up, and to hold their run.
An essential drill for new players, or a simple but relevant one for experienced players. New players should make sure their passes are not forward and are targeted in front of their teammate's chest. More experienced players can focus on speed of pass and footwork. In this example, a large group is split into two adjacent drills to ensure players aren't stationary for too long.
This simple drill breaks down the catch and pass while running in a straight line. Players also practice their communication skills.
A core handling exercise that coaches can use to vary the width, depth of pass plus introduce static and live defenders. An exercise repeated at the elite end of the game
A great warm up drill and passing exercise.
Isolated technical practice
Courtesy of the SRU
A core handling exercise for developing lines of running
Basic principles for the coach to focus on
A basic game of offload touch with constraints on how much time the ball carrier has. coaches can vary the rules to get more success / make it easier for the attackers
Passing skills are a high priority for most coaches and teachers. This video features a "Grip Game" to test the offloading skills and ball control of players
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
Players move around in a grid passing to each other. A gentle warm up that is easy to grasp if you have a mixture of talent levels. Involves communication and some handling. Progress to include placing the ball on the ground, then another player picking it up. This is another basic skill that also involves a gentle stretch. You can adapt this with any progression you wish.
The quality of passes from Ford and Farrell to enable Elliot Daley to slide past his defender was the difference in the Wales V England match. The skills required to perfect these passes were honed on the training ground over several years. See what type of drills they did and still do
In this clip, Eton College keep the ball alive through a series of offloads and long passes, deep within their 22. Eventually a gap emerges for them to exploit, finishing off the the try with a final offload.
Stand side-on to progress towards the lateral pass. Push the ball rather than swinging so your hand is pointing to the target after the ball has been passed. Maintain soft hands when catching the ball
Adding variations to a basic lateral passing drill is a solid foundation to build into strike moves. Players should concentrate on pass accuracy and the timing and direction of their running lines. Add defenders to progress.
Here's an example of a simple but effective 2v1 drill to practice the offload. Players concentrate on staying strong and getting their shoulders through contact, with the ball remaining in two hands. Support players communicate their position and time their run.
This clip outlines some of the fundamental techniques required to become a good passer of the ball from the ground, an essential skill for scrum half's. Simple and easy instructions for both coaches and players to benefit from
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
Skill Practice Description • The game begins with touch tackles. • Once tackled the ball carrier is allowed to step beyond the tackle line and the support from either side run toward (or attack) the ball. • The pass must be delivered behind the tackle line and not put back in front of the defence, so speed and decision making is vitally important. • Develop the game to grip tackles below the rib cage so the ball can be off loaded. • Progress to full tackles and the ball carrier must fight to keep the ball available. • The support must be aggressive in attacking the ball and getting between and beyond defenders. • When in full contact and the ball carrier cannot off load immediately, rucks and mauls may be played. Key Coaching Points • The game relies on good support play in all areas. This game illustrates the need for consistent and aggressive support. • The supporting players need to work for the ball carrier and attack the ball, getting in behind the defence for an off load. • Once the tackle line has been breached the attack must not allow the defence time to reorganise. • When progressed to full contact, the demand on decision making increases
Ball control is the key element to an effective offload. Jim Evans from Harlequins uses some fun games to coach this skill
Harlequins pride themselves on their attacking play and the foundation to this philosophy is the quality of their passing. Attack coach Colin Osbourne runs skills session on passing accuracy.
Develop a players ability to make an effective pass under pressure with support players trailing
The Wasps coaches use a mixture of games and drills to develop the passing skills of young players. Players are encouraged to respond to questions. Games are used to improve the learning experience
Some useful exercises for scrum-halves to develop their passing skills.
A passing game that encourages quick hands to catch out team-mates. Include press-ups to include a bit of upper body warm-up as well.
This exercise looks to develop the decision-making around the timing of a pass, and highlights running at pace and holding depth.
This Pre-Season touch game is based upon offloading however there are other conditions which make it an ideal practise to combine skills and fitness
Support Line Breaks & Offloads
Here's a great exercise from London Scottish with some excellent progressions taking you through catching difficult balls as well as some fun games to try.
To review the coaching points of the loop
To review handling Key factors
Sevens - Offloads 1
Using games to coach is how most Premiership coaches improve skills and especially decision making. In this clip Jon Curry uses some clever rules to encourage supporting lines to help keep the ball alive
To develop handling skills
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
Skill Practice Description • The objective is to increase the commitment to supporting a line break. • The teams play continuous touch, grip or tackle. • Stage 1: when a score is made all attacking players must touch the try line within 3 seconds or the try is disallowed and a turn over is awarded. • Stage 2: when a try is scored all attacking players must touch the ball on the ground within 5 seconds or the try is disallowed and a turnover is awarded. • Play starts again direct from the try line. • The coach may split the defence so cover defenders can challenge the effect of support play once the first line has been breached. Key Coaching Points • Encourage supporting players to angle toward the line break and not stay wide and lateral. • Encourage all attacking players to react and support a line break. • Speed of reaction. • Communication and team work
Aim of the game: In pairs, walk, jog or run around the grid, passing to their partner only when they call for the ball. Other players will be obstructing their vision and the flight of the pass, so decisions on when to pass will need to be developed
Elite Sixth form players showcase that good passing technique is essential to become a good rugby player. The pass has some simple but very important components that need to be practised
This clip shows the classic passing process but with a significant twist in what players can do post the pass
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.
This clip reinforces the importance of passing and especially accurate passing. The coaches use a variety of practises to test the players skills and help them progress
A simple pass-along-the-line warm up. Work in lines of 3 and ensure you pass off both hands. There's no need to do this for too long, but it is useful to get players switched on to passing.
Saracens academy coach Rory Teague explains the basic principles of the spin pass including the exercises and progressions that can be used to help players improve their techniques and accuracy
Controlling the ball is a fundamental skill, it may be simple but it is very important. Practise is important and is the foundation to passing and the ability to control and vary your pass
Lee Dickson leads a passing session at the Northampton saints summer training camp. The focus is on doing the simple things well and progressing the practises to make things more challenging
To execute an offload you need to have support players in the right area, here the ball carrier knows he has support and is able to take a risk and offload out of the back of the tackle. Prior to the offload the ball carrier works hard to stay on his feet. Key factor : Leg drive - Twist and work the body in contact - Control ball one handed - Communication from support players
Round the world passing challenge. Each player has a ball and they try and reach Ten passes of each hand. You can progress this by doing 1 pass to the left and then 1 to the right, then two to the left and so on until you get to 10, this is tough!!
A basic handling drill for groups of young players with a mixture of talent. Emphasise technique, passing backwards, and running straight. As players become better they can try wider passes and add more pace. Encourage players to swap position. Counting the number of completed passes in a row challenges the players to never drop the ball.
Learning to pass backwards is fundamental to rugby newcomers. This session brings minis out of a game for a few minutes to focus on that key skill, before taking them back into the game. Note the emphasis on questioning, development and how feedback changes depending on the ability of the child.
Being able to catch is fundamental to rugby and the majority of sports. Catching in rugby is slightly different due to the shape of the ball and understanding the technical points of "How to catch" is a very important area for all young players. This clip explains some of the finer points and why a good catch is the basis of a good pass
Working in pairs, the key point of this passing drill is for the support runner to be deep and taking the ball at pace.
Accuracy of passing can make the difference between finished chances or missed opportunities. In this video, Northampton Saints look at developing passing accuracy through games and focused exercises. Log in to see the full sessions.
Learning to pass backwards is fundamental to rugby newcomers. This session brings minis out of a game for a few minutes to focus on that key skill, before taking them back into the game. Note the emphasis on questioning, development and how feedback changes depending on the ability of the child.
This exercise is used by most coaches to identify a players passing and catching accuracy. The Northampton Saints coaches break down the skills required to ensure that "Simple things" are done well
This video takes you through the basics of why and how we pass in Rugby! Use these explanations and simple progressions to help your players.
Sale Sharks and Scotland scrum half Chris Cusiter leads a session on passing from the base of a scrum or ruck. In this first video, Chris addresses basic technique in a couple of exercises that warm up the wrists and arms.
Coaching players to pass with variety and accuracy is one of the most important challenges a coach faces. The Harlequins academy players are presented with some very challenging exercises to help this process
A variety of drills and games to practice and improve your catching & passing
Have some fun at home with some challenges passing games
This video takes you through the basics of why and how we pass in Rugby! Use these explanations and simple progressions to help your players.
To develop the Miss Pass
To develop and progress the loop pass
Working in waves of three, break down the components to catch and pass technique.
A simple passing game that is fun and competitive. You can add more players in and vary the distance to make this harder or easier. Different balls could be used as well. Dad's can do this at home as a fun game
At the JWC 2012 is was clear that more forwards were passing the ball.
Learning to spin pass is one of the first things young players want to do, it takes hours of practice and older / elite players continue practising throughout their careers. This video shows some simple exercises to do at home
Young Brazilian players just learning the game start out with some smile passing exercise, this is perfect for any young player starting out in the game
Here are few exercises to help players of all ages improve their spin passing at home, even if there's no one else to practice with! As always, try to train your weaker hand so you have better options on the field.
Adding a live defender helps to encourage players to hold their depth in support, so a good pass can be completed.
To develop the core passing skills
This passing exercise is weird, extremely tough to do but will take your players out of their comfort zone and challenge them, can your players master it?
Southern hemisphere players pride themselves on their passing skills. In this clip, the NSW Waratahs go through some wide passing exercises.
Staying strong in contact and using the leg-drive can commit extra defenders. If then, you can make an offload to supporting players, overlaps should be created. It is difficult to defend a strong offloading attack, and here, Stowe School are rewarded a try for their slick hands.
Players must pass through gate before passing to supporting player before they reach the gate. This helps to ensure supporting players hold their depth and maintain a straight running line.
The 10 pass warm up game is excellent to introduce an activity that has a focus on dynamic mobilisation and raising the heart rate.
Players should be asked to focus on their special awareness, passing technique and communication.
To maximise participation, introduce another ball or split the game into two or three smaller games.
Test the middle player with a circle of players who feed two balls in. The passing players MUST call the middle persons name and give a good pass otherwise this exercise will fail. This is great fun if managed properly and excellent for hand / eye
Being able to pass under pressure is how players perform in games. This exercise challenges players to react to multiple prompts and is great for all junior and senior players
Passing progressions are based upon the ability of players to fix defenders. Always insure your exercises reflect match situations and refrain from just doing drills because they look good
Harlequins Academy go through a few exercises designed to improve passing accuracy. Premier members can log in now to see full sessions from Harlequins and other Premiership clubs.
7. 5 Pass Game
Practicing rugby skills at home can be difficult if there are no others to play with. But there are still things you can do by yourself if you have a ball handy. This exercise requires passing against a wall, developing accuracy, hand-eye co-ordination and problem solving. Also, check out our other videos on developing grip.
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.
Practising skills on your own can be tedious but using a wall to improve your passing can present some interesting challenges
The deep "Out The Back" pass is a play that is becoming more popular with several options and progressions. In this clip players from Harlequins run through a simple practise to improve their accuracy
Understanding the swith pass and why it is used
To get young players used to passing and catching the ball. This is best suited to a warm up exercise and get the players moving and active quickly
Gradually progress from 2 static defenders, to 3 v 2 roaming defenders. The first two players must draw their defenders before giving the pass.
A clever exercise that keeps the players involved and moving constantly with an emphasis on depth and accurate passing. Players need to concentrate, communicate and be accurate if the drill is to continue. Coaches can add width, more players or in this example another ball to increase difficulty