Lateral passing & double switch in 3s

A core handling exercise for developing lines of running

The switch - getting started

To develop an understanding of the switch

The switch pass - game footage 1

watch the switch in action

The Switch - coaching points

What you need to know to coach the switch

Double-tackle Technique

Double-tackles are useful against a team who like to offload. Leg drive can put them on the back-foot.

3v2 Warm Up To Switch On

Use this quick warm up drill to switch your players on for the session. It works on defence and attacking decision making as well as handling.

Junior - Double Tackle

Junior - Double Tackle

Men's - Double Tackle

Men's - Double Tackle

What is a switch pass

Understanding the swith pass and why it is used

The Dummy Switch - game footage

To develop handling skills

Sevens - The Switch

The Switch - 2

To develop handling

Switch - simple coaching exercise

To develop handling skills

Dummy - switch - 10 - 14

Handling progression for the lateral running 10

Women's - Double Tackle

Sevens - Double Tackle

Lateral passing in 3s with a switch

A core passing exercise for developing the lateral passing drill

Lions 09 - Double-tackle

A good practice to work on stopping an effective ball carrying player

Backs Move - Decoy & DSM

This backs move combines a decoy 'slice' pass with the DSM (dummy-switch, miss pass) to confuse the defence. The first decoy runner and dummy-switch should commit the inside players, keeping the defensive line narrow. The space out wide is then exploited with the miss pass.

Winning is for the Parents

The hot topic! who is winning for, some of the games leading coaches provide their view

Principles of Defence - Role Clarity

Ex Harlequins coach Collin Osborne explains his sixth defensive principle - Role Clarity.

Fun Catching Games

There's often down time before a training session where you can't help butthrow a ball around. Why not try out these fun games that will work your core skills as well. They work great as a gentle introduction to a session to switch players on.

Passing Warm-up in 3s

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.

End ball game for warm ups

A fun but competitive warm-up game that get's players switched on and ready to train.

Quick Finishing Game

This quick game is perfect for developing the finishing in your team! Progress this drill with conditions to help improve depth and realignment.

Offloading Progressions

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.

Quins - Attacking lines of support

Harlequins academy players are coached to be accurate in their passing and use lines of running and footwork to create space for other players

Quins - Creating Space & attacking lines

This clip shows the principles of fixing defenders and the techniques used to do so. The coach can progress by using more defenders, varying the space or changing the source of where the ball comes from

Creating The Overlap With Loops

This session is all about creating the overlap through loops whilst your players are working under pressure with the ball in hand.

Sevens - Uncovered - Defence

The leading international coaches explain why defence is so important and how much emphasis they put on it. This clip features a variety of tackles and techniques and post good defence the opportunity to turn the ball over. Most coaches will use a system for their defence and here are some insights

Quins - Out The Back Pass

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

Time To Change Coaching Style

Every 4 years the UK talks about changing the way we coach to develop players for the long term. It never happens however here are some insights into why you might want to change that

USA Sevens - Creating Habits Through Collision Conditioning

Perfect practise is about replicating match conditions in training. Phil Greening outlines his approach and provides some practical examples

Scrum - New Drills & Progressions

Set piece coach George skivington from London Irish talks through some new tips to coach the scrum

Advanced Passing Skills

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

Improve Running Lines

Use this simple drill from Newcastle Falcons to improve your player's running lines.

Quins- Tackling Warm Up Game

A fun game to get players ready both mentally and physically for contact and tackling. Applies to most age groups

Coaching with Games is the Future

Elite coaches use conditioned games to teach the basic skills and change the conditions for progressions and increase the intensity

Warm-up with Games and Handling (Rugby ready)

A rugby ready style warm up with games and handling as they focus prior to moving on to more technical skills. The game centres around the teams trying to make 10 passes

New Rules of Play - Under 10s - Coaching Points

This video provides some detailed coaching points that the Saracens community coaches would recommend age groups coaches focus on in their sessions

Tackling 20 - 2-man Tackle

Tackling 20 - 2 man Tackle

Fitness - Core work (Plank)

The core is the building block to every other conditioning exercise. The plank and progressions from the plank are perfect for EVERY rugby player at every level

London Irish - How do we train

Do Premiership teams train differently to amateur club and schools, is it just a difference in skills and power or do they approach training in a different way?

Sevens - Uncovered - The Support Staff

Add A Competitive Element to Training

Rugby players are naturally competitive and tend to be more motivated if they are in competition with their peers. You can increase the enjoyment of your sessions and in turn, the benefits to your players' skill sets, by adding small skill challenges

Group exercise for evasion & agility

Developing core skills for evasion and agility

Principles of Defence - Communication

Ex Harlequins coach Collin Osborne explains his seventh and final defensive principle - Role Clarity.

How to coach the Catch or Choke Tackle

Some of the latest ideas around tackle technique and what defenders are trying to achieve. This session provides the technical progressions needed to teach the choke / catch tackle

Geech - Lions Coaches were Years Ahead

Were the Lions coaches ahead of the game. The 1997 coaches discuss tackle techniques that are only being implemented now

Games or drills ?

The coaches explain why they use games and provide examples of how they deliver a session using games with technical skills as the basis for learning

Conditioning - Warm-up & Speed Work

Warm up exercises and techniques are used to teach the body the mechanics of movement and potentially how to improve. Accurate technique is important and the trainer uses a variety of games and races to make it fun and competitive

Lineout Pods and Movement

The coach progresses the line out onto small units working together, adds in some competition and starts work with some five man options

Practice Accurate passing

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

Drop off touch - start with a game

Chris Kibble of Esher RFC & Whitgift school says to start your sessions with a game. In this clip Chris runs a game called "Drop touch" where the players run back to a line when they make a touch. This is good for fitness and creating wholes to attack

Focus on Turnover

The turnover is an essential source of attacking ball, and one that shouldn't be ignored by coaches.

Ruck Clearing Exercises

Two crucial clearance techniques - the saddle roll, and the duck and clean. It's important for players to practice these at length, under pressure, under fatigue, and with an element of decision-making in order to best re-create a match situation.

Core Stability for Rugby Players

Becoming stronger and more powerful is important for rugby players of all standards. However, it is important for players to have a strong core before they progress into lifting weights. Here are some simple core exercises that can be done anywhere without any equipment.

Fun Offloading Game!

Ball control is the key element to an effective offload. Jim Evans from Harlequins uses some fun games to coach this skill

NSW Waratahs - Quick Passing

Southern hemisphere players pride themselves on their passing skills. In this clip, the NSW Waratahs go through some wide passing exercises.

Wasps Tackle Safely & Dominate

Coaching a safe head position for tackling is not only a "Duty of care" for coaches but it also developes great body position and the platform to drive your opponents backwards. This video shows how physical the Wasps players are but not without safety & accurate technique

Falcon's Grid exercise for running lines

Running straight and changing your running line will make players better attackers and underpins an effective 2 v 1. Dave Walder from Newcastle Falcon's run's through a new style exercise that all coaches can use.

Why Train In 4 Minute Blocks!

London Scottish Players and Coaches explain why they often train in 4 minute blocks.

Full Competitive Warm Up

Heres a full warm up focussed on agility that adds a competitive element to engage your players and mentally prepare them for the session!

Make Your Warm Ups Competitive

Add a competitive element to your warm ups to engage your players and mentally prepare them for the session.

Rugby Netball

Rugby Netball

Sir Ian Mcgeechan - the turnover

Sir Ian Mcgeechan discusses the importance of the turnover and how it creates winning opportunities

Interview - Sir Ian Mcgeechan - Turnovers

Sevens - Offloads 1

Sevens - Offloads 1

Tag Thief

Tag Thief Game

Fundamentals of Movement - Handling Progression

The players are again moving around the grid in the gears dictated by the coach. This time, they are required to high five each other with alternate hands while holding a ball with the other.

This tests their co-ordination, communication and multi-tasking abilities.

Games & drills for tackle technique

The Falcons coaches use a variety of games and breakout drills to progress their tackle technique session. The players respond to questions to vary the style of coaching