Handling Relay - Over / Under

A fun game that combines stretching, movement and hand-eye co-ordination to get players warmed up but keeping the ball in hand.

Handling relay

By giving multiple opportunities to pass you develop the technique and then the skills

Handling relay right to left

All players need to timing the pass and communicating at all times

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.

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.

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

Improve Ball Presentation and Handling

This exercise from London Scottish works to maintain high levels of both ball presentation and handling skills at the same time.

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

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

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

Team Relay Races

Two examples of fun team relays that keep your players active with a competitive element. Suitable for adults, too!

Warm-up Handling Game

A slightly harder handling game that challenges one player to concentrate on two balls at once. A good test of co-ordination.

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

Handling Core Skills

These quick practices are great to implement to break up game play if little handling errors crop up! Easily progress the distances and speed as your players improve.

Round the World Handling Game

A static handling game that can be played with small groups of players to improve basic catching and passing skills.

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

How to carry the ball - Relay & fun

Devloping core skills and fitness for players learning rugby

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.

Offload out of the tackle in channel 2

A good progression for developing difficulty from a standard drill, look at carrying the ball and moving the defender so that you can ride the tackle

Wide channel defence

Wingers positional skills

Intense handling exercise - 4 man

Core skills drill

Offload out of the tackle in channel

A good start for developing offload and tackle skills, allowing you to manage the amount of contact in the tackle whilst performing the skill successfully. Key factors : Strong base - Lead with arm and shoulder - Keep looking forward with head up - Wrap arm around legs / waist and squeeze tight with other arm - Use attackers bodyweight to rotate your body

Draw the defender and support in channel

The key to creating space is to move a defender away from the space, this drill allows the ball carrier to create the space and the support runner to attack the space

One handed passing down channel holding 2 balls

This drill allows you to develop control over the ball and the ability to pass one handed if needed to

Handling open wing

Wingers positional skills.

Catch & Pass down channel

A core skill that needs constant development and practise Key Factors : Communicate loudly - Present a target with your hands - Run straight - Pass the ball across your body - Use wrists to keep the ball on a flat level - Move back ready to repeat

3 v 2 in channel

A good progression from the 2 v 1 drill

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

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.

2v1 in channel

A good core decision making exercise for all levels of ability

Warm Up - Handling Grid

All players running around in a small grid, popping balls to each other. Mix up the types of passes, such as one-handed, high passes low passes etc. Keep them moving before going into more focused stretches.

Attacking narrow channel

A good exercise for scanning defenders and creating space for your co attackers

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.

2v1 relay

An intense drill for producing decision making under the pressure of speed and time

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.

The Loop pass - basic drill

To develop handling skills

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.

The Miss Pass - common problems

To develop handling

L2 - Fly Half Development

Skill Practice Description • Two channels each 15metres wide • Two attacking lines of four players; one line in each channel • Scrum Half with two balls • Three defenders lined up to defend the designated channel. • SH passes ball to 1st attacking group on the coach’s call. • D1 goes for A1, D2 for A2, D3 for A3 • Attackers to fix defenders and release overlap. • Coach shouts “Break” and the three defenders run to defend the other channel against 2nd group of attackers. • On coach’s command “Go” the 2nd ball is passed to the second line • Rotate the groups and alternate which channel has the first strike / second strike • Vary the timing of the second call which releases the ball for the 2nd strike. An early call frees up space for the fly half because the defenders will have little time to get into the second channel. A late call, allows defenders time to get across, and it means the fly half will have to prevent the drift and effectively use the overlap. • Initially the coach can control the defence telling the defenders to leave the overlap and be fixed; then allow them to drift, then allow them to try anything to stop the attack. Here is also an opportunity to coach how to defend. Key Coaching Points • Stay square - outside shoulder should be seen by scrum half • Run at defenders aiming at the inside shoulder • Move when the ball is in the scrum half’s hands or when it is in the air. Do not creep forward before then.

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

Alignment exercise in 3s

A handling progression for developing speed of handling & alignment

Turnover session - 2 Games

A full contact game, conditioned with channels on either side of the pitch. The attacking team must get the ball to both channels before they are allowed to score a try.

This is to spread the attack out, and create more opportunities for turnover ball to occur

Turnover session - 1 Game to start

A full contact game, conditioned with channels on either side of the pitch. The attacking team must get the ball to both channels before they are allowed to score a try.

This is to spread the attack out, and create more opportunities for turnover ball to occur.

NB - Please ensure players have completed a full upper body warm-up before going into this full contact session.

Harlequins Academy - Warm-Up

The warm-up is an essential part of training and match preparation. Here's an example from Harlequins Academy on how to prepare for a handling session.

The Miss Pass intro

Develop handling skills

Pass to the runner behind

Handling drill working on lines of running

Dummy - switch - 10 - 14

Handling progression for the lateral running 10

Pulling the pass back

A handling drill progression

Evasion 1 v 1 after pass

Core skills handling

Saints - Attacking Basics

Northampton Saints coaches look at the basic principles of attack including holding depth and scanning the defensive situation.

Attacking realignment in 3s exercise

Handling progression

Wrap & short pass

Handling drill progression

Tramline kick

Wingers positional skills. A kick straight down the channel on the run

6v2v2v2v3 wide

Channel development into a decision making exercise with the empahsis on going straight then wide

6 v 2 v 2 v 2 v 3

Developing the skills into decision making down a channel

Pulling the pass back off both sides

A handling drill progression

London Irish - Super Skills

Do your players excel at one area of the game? if so why not try and make them even better and make them "The Specialist" in that area and turn that technique into a super skill

L2 - Conditioning Circuit

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

Diamond shape support

An exercise for continuity and support.

The coach can set the width of the channel and intensity of the defenders

British lions - support & attack drill 1

This drill illustrates how attack can go from narrow channels to wide play very quickly, and players should practice this continually

Falcons - Grip skills & ball control

The more control you have of the rugby ball, the more accurate you will be with your handling. Practising your grip and ball control is important for all players but especially for younger players to avoid getting into bad habits. These are practises that can and should be done anywhere, at home or in the garden.

Lateral passing in 3s

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

Offloads through contact then lateral pass

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.

Passing in Grid

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.

Lateral passing & double switch in 3s

A core handling exercise for developing lines of running

Lateral passing & miss pass with follow in 3s

handling progression for developing lines of running and support

Lateral passing & pulling back the pass from wide

Handling Progression for developing the ability to create depth from a flat line

Catch Up Passing Game

A quick handling game to warm up. Handy if there's a few players standing around at the beginning of a session, waiting for others to turn up.

The Miss Pass - simple exercise

To develop handling

The Loop Pass - Footage

To develop core handling skills

The Switch - 2

To develop handling

Switch - simple coaching exercise

To develop handling skills

The MIss Pass game footage

to illustrate handling skills

The Dummy Switch - game footage

To develop handling skills

The Miss Pass Key Coaching Points

To review handling Key factors

Performance Analysis - Analysis Sequence

There is clearly a handling error in the midfield, but from where might this orignate?

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

Men's - Turnover and move the ball 2

Strong defence and a turnover allows two quick passes, (One long pass), and then attack the defence. The two passes have changed the channel of attack by 30 metres.

Key factors : Tackle and stay on your feet - Long quick pass / spin pass - Communicate loudly - Support the ball carrier on his shoulder

Hand-eye Coordination

This 4-man handling grid tests the coordination and peripheral vision of the central player. They have to accurately pass two balls quickly among the other 3 players. Change the central player regularly. Key factors : Communication - Concentration - Timing - Use wrists and not arms

L2 - Tactical Scoring Game

Skill Practice Description • Play 7v7 in the game area but mark different scoring zones along the try lines (use coloured cones). • Mark 5 metres in from each try line with red markers and if a try is scored in either of these areas then it will be worth 8pts. • The next two 5 metre zones moving inwards would be worth 5 pts and the rest of the try line worth 3pts. • This should challenge the ability to outflank or penetrate in order to build a score. • It may be that the defenders primarily defend in the outside channels leaving the middle with more space. • The attack can then take advantage of this new situation, scoring in the middle zone. • Thus identifying the weaknesses of the defence. Key Coaching Points • Spatial awareness • Communication • Quickness of attack at a disorganised defence • Skills to attack space • Footwork and evasion skills • Scanning skills • Decision making Relevance to the Game • This game challenges the decision making of both attack and defence. • If for example a turn over occurs, which score area does the attack target? • Which area does the defence cover and defend first?

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.

Passing in 4s

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.

Overload Attack Game

This game allows your attack to experiment whilst working on communication, reloading for depth and handling skills. With an attacking overload this will also work on your defence communication and organisation in phase play.

Conditioned Touch - Tackler drops to Knee

The condition in this game is for those making the 'tackle' (or touch) to drop to their knee for four seconds before re-joining the game. This should give more space for the attackers to exploit. A good game if you have been working on 2v1 or 3v2 handling exercises.

QBE - Penetrating Defence Game

18. Wide Touch

The MIss Pass - coaching tips

To develop the Miss Pass

Building the scrummage

The new scrum laws are providing a challenge for all levels of the game, here Jon Curry from Northampton saints questions junior players on their knowledge, clarifies his interpretation and provides some practical answers and solutions to executing an effective scrum

Hooking Technique

The Northampton saints scrum coach discuses the new scrum laws and specifically the role of the hooker. The hookers then try out striking for the ball and build the scrum

The switch - getting started

To develop an understanding of the switch

Defensive Line Game

Defensive Line Game

Tackling Aussie Style

Australian coaches across all age groups have a slightly different approach to teaching the tackle, or do they? You can take a few of their tips and integrate them into your coaching process

QBE - Identifying Space to Attack

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

L2 - Identifying Space to Attack

Skill Practice Description • Attacking team face away from defenders before play commences. • Attackers spread or grouped in any formation. • Defenders split (unseen by attack) between pitch A & B. • Coach calls “turn” and introduces the ball to the attack who turn to scan the distribution of the defence and attack whichever pitch they choose. • Defenders on the pitch not being attacked cannot cross over to help defend. • If the attack breaks down, the defence gain bonus point. • If attackers choose to attack the area with the most defenders and still score - gain a bonus point. • Progression: • Allow the defenders in the area not being attacked to move across to support the other defence. Perhaps make the secondary defence go deeper around a cone. • Vary the space before game starts between attack and defence - more or less time for the attackers. • Allow defence to recover the ball to counter attack. Key Coaching Points • Reward close and immediate support of the ball carrier in and around contact area. • Defenders deny space and time to the numerically superior attack

QBE - Outflanking Game

Mike Catt - Commit the opposition 10

Classroom session with Mike Catt - discussing the key points of attacking from a lineout

Techniques needed to box kick

Elite coach and player go through the skills required to box kick. There are three main steps and some recommended practises with some added competition to help improve

Running & Passing Lines

The aim is to fix defenders via the attacking players running straight, and preserving the space on the outside and to stop defenders from drifting. This will support the executing of overlaps.

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