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.

Quins Defence - Tackling in units 3 v 3

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

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.

Women's - Accurate clearing of players 3

3 v 2 in channel

A good progression from the 2 v 1 drill

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

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.

Step 5 - Introducing the 3 v 3 Scrum

Attacking progression's 4 v 3

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.

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.

Three Channel Passing Challenge

Adding pressure to key skills is crucial to improve your players and to practise like you play. This exercise covers a variety of skills but essentially is about accurate passing and fixing defenders

Scrum Factory - 11. Flanker Channeling and The Role of the Number 8

The roles of each player in channelling the ball to the number 8

IRB Men's - Offloads 3

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

Live tacking in channel

Finally introduce live 1 v 1 tackling in a controlled environment using a channel. Standards will vary but as coaches it is important to praise all of the players. Doing this exercise too early may cause problems and refrain from doing so until the fundamental skills have mastered

Sevens - Full Lineout 3

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

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.

Tackle Technique in channel

Use a channel with attackers and defenders to progress the tackle technique, mix the players up so they all have opportunities. Reinforce the coaching points and give praise regularly

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

Lions - Attacking channells

From the Lions 2009 tour, a support drill in a channel to encourage the ball carrier to move the defender and make space for the support player

Broncos 4 - 6 v 3 Identify space

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

Two Channel Passing Exercise

Players work in 3s running around the corner and realigning to attack. Introduce defenders and the need to look up and communicate.

The switch pass - game footage 1

watch the switch in action

Broncos 3 - Develop waves of attack

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

Introduction to tackling - Step 3

Repetitive exercises can help players become familiar with tackling technique.

British lions - team play 3

team play practice in a semi-opposed style assists the players in learning their roles and responsibilities

6 v 2 v 2 v 2 v 3

Developing the skills into decision making down a channel

3v2 in Channel

A simple yet effective drill that enables players to test out their attacking options. They must attempt to control the situation by committing one defender, to create the 2v1.

Defence - 3. Press Up and Out

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

Lions 09 - Double-tackle

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

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.

Double-tackle Technique

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

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.

Step 3 - Introducing the 1 v 1 Scrum

Women's - Patterns of Play 3

Women's - Patterns of Play 3

End Ball & Connecting Players

Fantastic game for warm ups, integrating new players and working on a wide range of skills. Its fun and this example has a "Game within a game"

Players First - Circle & Caterpillar Game

A great fun game to get training started and integrate new players into your squad. Lots of progressions and a variety of skills on show

3. Ruck Touch

What is a switch pass

Understanding the swith pass and why it is used

Scrum Factory - 3. TOP With Rugby Balls

Expensive training equipment is not necessary and the simple rugby ball can provide an excellent technical and conditioning work out

The Dummy Switch - game footage

To develop handling skills

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.

Conditioning for Young Players

Even if players are too young to go to the gym, it can be beneficial for them to do bodyweight exercises that help to prepare their bodies for more physical rugby in future years. Sam Bennett from Leeds Carnegie highlights some of the key points for young players to consider, which apply to all players at amateur or competitive level.

A Player's Responsibility to Prepare

It's not just down to coaches to prepare players for the game. Most of the work must be done by the players themselves, to ensure they are in the best physical and mental condition to perform and learn.

L2 - Penetrating Defence Game

Skill Practice Description • The playing area is marked out in 5m channels. • When defending, players must stay within their channel throughout the game. • The attack must look to penetrate the defence by creating and preserving space. • The defence must use a two handed touch. • There is a 5 tackle turnover rule and once possession is turned over, the defence must get into a channel as the opposition can attack immediately. Key Coaching Points • Support players to hold their opposite number as long as possible before cutting a line to take the pass. • The defender can close the space as far as the edge of their own channel. • If the support player cuts too early or the ball carrier does not move their defender enough, the support player will be touched/tackled. Relevance to the Game • This game will help develop the footwork and running lines to effectively move defenders in order to penetrate the tackle line.

Player / Coach Relationship

How much say do your players have in how you train and prepare? Premiership Rugby stars share their experiences.

The Most Important Values For Players

Saracens academy manager Don Barrell explains his views on what the most important values young players should have and what he looks for

Ruck touch - Focus on rolling players away

A key technique at the breakdown is the ability to roll players away, this applies when your opponent already has a good body position over the ball. Danny Wild from Leeds carnegie uses a game and breakout sessions to deliver his session

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

Being positive with players is crucial

Building a positive environment for your players is important for their self-esteem and confidence on the pitch.

Stop Your Players Crabbing Sideways

Successful rugby requires players to run straight and fix defenders. This is a constant challenge to coaches and new ideas and exercises can freshen up your training sessions, this clip has two practises along with some advice from elite coaches

Player Welfare and Tackle Technique

Head injuries are a serious consequence to rugby and an area that deserves the attention of all players and coaches. Be proactive by coaching and re-coaching tackle technique to reinforce good habits.

Tactics Are For All Your Players

Danny Care scores a great try due to a lack of tactical understanding from several players. Simple match analysis would resolve this and outlines why coaches should work with all players on roles & responsibilities

Passing 4 v 3 reset

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

Trust your players - John Neal

Psychologist John Neal explains the importance of trust in the development of a coach's relationship with their players.

Four Player Continuous Passing

A quick drill to focus the players before going into a session or at the start of a match day warm up.

Contact Skills for Young Players

Leeds academy coaches cover the fundamentals skills for the contact area. This is a useful session for young players to focus on body position and key techinques.

Jonathan Joseph - Improve Player Skills

Holidays are the perfect time to get stuck into some individual skills and this clip provides a few ideas and advice from leading players

The Switch - coaching points

What you need to know to coach the switch

Expert - Conor O Shea - what makes a great player

Conor O Shea gives us his thoughts on what makes a great player

Improving your relationship with players

Psychologist John Neal explains how critical it is for a coach to have rapport with their players, parents, co-coaches and club staff, to understand how they think, and therefore build better relationships.

Paul Hull: Do Players make Good Coaches?

Paul Hull explains that sometimes former players can make great coaches, but they need to combine their technical knowledge and experience with the right communication skills.

Fun Sessions for Young Players - Start with Safety

We all want our sessions to be fun, but it all starts with the set-up, safety and reassurance from coaches. Particularly for young players. Achieve that and you will have a fun, productive session.

Men's - Support Player Leach

Men's - Support Player Leach

Players First - Challenging & New Games

What are the biggest challenges you face as a coach, we all differ and in this clip two under 15's coaches discuss what the struggle with and offer some solutions

Coach Player Rapport

Do you understand the significance of 'Rapport" and how this can influence how good a coach you are. Elite coaches, experts and pundits provide a clear view of how important this is

Pressure players to make decisions

A simple attacking drill mixed up by calling a random number of attackers and defenders instantly before. This takes the players out of their comfort zone as they are forced to react and make decisions rather than pre-plan.

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

Men's - Exiting the 22m 3

Men's - Exiting the 22m 3

Men's - Strike Moves 3

Men's - Strike Moves 3

Men's - Lineout maul good defence 3

Men's - Lineout maul good defence 3

Men's - Double Tackle

Men's - Double Tackle

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.

Junior - Accurate clearing of players 1

Junior - Accurate clearing of players

Women's - 2 v 3 1

Women's - 2 v 3 1

Junior - Double Tackle

Junior - Double Tackle

Three player passing challenge

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

Women's - Injured players and medics

Women's - Injured players and medics

Junior - Players warming up

Junior - Players warming up

Lions - 3&5 man scrum practice

A progression from the 3 man scrum - developing body shape and positions

Defence - 9. Widest Players Organise

The widest players are most often best place to assess the threats and have a major role in directing the defence

Providing feedback to players - John Neal

Psychologist John Neal expresses the importance of giving effective feedback as a coach.

Andy Farrell's 3 Top tips For Defence

Breakdown - Coaching Players To Make Decisions

The coach uses a combination of drills & games to deliver a session on making decisions at the breakdown. There are some technical points and observations on the coach using classic "Tell & Yell" instructions

England Players - Make sessions fun

Ben Youngs and Lee Mears describe what they think are the essential ingredients that make up a fun and productive rugby session. Both were taking part in an England Rugby coaching challenge with schoolchildren in the build up to the 2012 Six Nations.

Lions 09 Backs support lines 3

Lions 2009 support drills, with a progression

The Switch - 2

To develop handling

Lions 09 - Lions speed and tracking the player

Developing linespeed, footwork and tracking

Sevens - Standard restart with attack winning ball 3

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

Sevens - Patterns of Play 3

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

Sevens - Double Tackle

Lions 09 - backline defence inown 22 option 3

Where you are on the pitch can determine you defensive system

Small -sided game - 5 v 3

This is an intuitive decision-making pratice

Learning to spin pass 3

To practice the core passing technique before integrating into a moving drill or game.

Good Practice - Segment 3

Sevens - Turnovers and move the ball 3

Sevens - Accurate clearing of players 2

Sevens - Accurate clearing of players 1

Sevens - Good contact body position/ball presentation 3

2v1 in multiple channels

Repeated attempts are very effective ways of accelerating learning and the ability to perform a technique under pressure making it a skill