Tackle bag drill one hit & support

support has to read whch bag is being tackled and get to be in support by reading the situation

Tackle bag drill 3 man support after tackle

This is a very effective drill for developing decision making and awareness in support runners off a tackle situation

Tackle bag drill in 4s with support

A progression for developing support after contact

Tackle bag & support hi intensity drill

Sometimes a high intensity, high repitition drill is very effective at getting the point home

Technical Fitness with Tackle Bags

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.

Tackle bag chase the tackler

This will act as a conditioning and as a support drill, working both players hard

Tackle bag grid chase the tackler

A very effective support and conditioning exercise, you can change the space and pace and duration of the work effort

Tackle bag grid chase the tackler 2

a high intensity support and conditioning drill in a small space, that you can manage

Using Games to Improve Support Play

Great tries are often the result of great support play. Coaches are now using more games in their training with set constraints put in to dictate what the coach wants to work on

Using Games to Develop Passing and Support

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

Tackle Technique - Down/Up and hit shield

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

Improving support play

Decision making is a tricky skill to coach. Danny Wild the Leeds coach uses conditioned games with breakout technical sessions to improve this process as well as working on some groundwork skills

Passing and Support Lines

This clip shows the classic passing process but with a significant twist in what players can do post the pass

L2 - Support Line Breaks

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

L2 - Support Line Breaks & Offloads

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

L2 - Diamond Support Development

Skill Practice Description • Play a game of touch or grip tackle. • At the coach’s discretion, call “slow ball!” or “freeze” and allow the attack to form a diamond behind the 1st or 2nd receiver. Then call “Play!” • The defence will also be organised but this will be the case in a full game. • Allow the game to progress and shorten the time they have at the slow ball scenarios. • Don’t be concerned if there are not four players in the formation as long as there is at least a second tier of support. • As players become competent at forming the shape in front of the tackle line, the coach may develop the ability to form again, having made a line break. • Develop the game into full contact. Key Coaching Points • Holding spaces open. • Ball carrier to watch the defensive shape and not look round for the support. • Listening and cooperation. Play with the eyes in front and the ears behind. • Intuitive decision making. • Support to hold depth and not arrive at the tackle line flat.

Support - Turnover and Counter-Attack

Support play is essential to rugby, particularly in sevens where there is more space. This clip sums up the importance of support. The Eastbourne College scrum-half is isolated and turned-over. Eton then counter-attack and, despite the best efforts of a single Eastbourne defender, they are able to secure the try thanks to an offload to a support runner.

QBE - Support Line Breaks & Offloads

Support Line Breaks & Offloads

Expert - Sir Ian Mcgeechan on Team Support

Learn more about how we support our team mates in pursuit of excellence

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.

Supporting lines - Trail running

A game to challenge how players support with lines of running and communication

Support

QBE - Support Line Breaks

Touch rugby with an immediate pass to support

A game for developing understanding of space and support.

Lions 09 backs support lines 2

Lions 2009 support and continuity work

9. Principles of play-Support

Principles of play-Support

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

Support Runners

Here are some good examples of how effective support runners in attack can be to help you in your coaching process

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

Lions 09 Backs support lines 3

Lions 2009 support drills, with a progression

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.

CCRU - Principles of Play - Support

Support using:
Effective communication

Structure

Anticipation

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.

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.

Back Row Attack Support

Back Row Attack Support

Men's - Support Player Leach

Men's - Support Player Leach

Diamond shape support

An exercise for continuity and support.

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

Interview - Sir Ian McGeechan - Team Support

Sir Ian McGeechan discusses why teamwork is crucial to success

QBE - Diamond Support Development

Quins - Support Touch Game

The coaches use games to teach techniques and allow players to experiment in game situations. The coach can set the parameters for the game dependent on the skill sets of the players

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

Sevens - Uncovered - The Support Staff

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

Handling relay

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

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.

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.

Handling relay right to left

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

Tackle bag Grapple

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.

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.

Junior - Support player / Leach 2

Women's - Support player/Leach

Junior - Support player / Leach 1

Support play in 3s, Offload and ruck

Practice the different options in recycling the ball. A lot of the time, the ball will be tied up and an offload won't be on. Develop this drill by allowing the players to call how the ball should be played, and for their teammates to react.

Handling open wing

Wingers positional skills.

Intense handling exercise - 4 man

Core skills drill

3. Support - Colour Reaction Drill

Isolated technical practice

Courtesy of the SRU

11. Support - Ugly Ball

Isolated technical practice

Courtesy of the SRU

10. Support - Resisted follow through

Isolated technical practice

Courtesy of the SRU

9. Support - One Handed power pass

Isolated technical practice

Courtesy of the SRU

8. Support - Off the Ground reaction pass

Isolated technical practice

Courtesy of the SRU

7. Support - No Back Lift bench passes

Isolated technical practice

Courtesy of the SRU

6. Support - Lineout Ball

Isolated technical practice

Courtesy of the SRU

5. Support - Kneeling one handed power pass

Isolated technical practice

Courtesy of the SRU

4. Support - Follow through star

Isolated technical practice

Courtesy of the SRU

2. Support - Chase the pass

Isolated technical practice

Courtesy of the SRU

1. Support - 1,2,3 Follow Through

Isolated technical practice

Courtesy of the SRU

Stay on your feet and support gauntlet

Managing contact and collisions are key to continuity

Lions 09 - Support & Attack

The ability to create attacking situations quickly is fundamental to creating pressure

The Tackler's Responsibilities

This clip shows a whole session including progressions on the actions of the tackler during the tackle and after the tackle. An excellent contact session delivered by the Sale Sharks Community coaches.

Sale Sharks Community - Breakdown Technique

Sale Sharks Community Coach Darren Lemon takes a youth session on effective breakdown technique, including essential safety pointers. Join now to see the full session and many others.

Worcester - Live breakdown

Here players progress from making decisions at the breakdown using pads and bags to live defenders. The supporting players have to make a decision based upon the ball carrier

Lateral passing & miss pass with follow in 3s

handling progression for developing lines of running and support

Ruck Clearing and Decision Making

Advanced clearing exercises for senior players. The support player makes a decision on how to clear out the ruck based on the position of the opposition.

Two Touch With Tackle Practice

This game has multiple conditions for both attackers and defenders. Dropping defenders to practise their tackling while working on support lines and groundwork for the attackers. Great for the first half an hour of your session

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

Breakdown - Competing For The Ball

A great drill with explanations and supporting theory to help coaches improve their players accuracy and legality at the breakdown

Sevens - Offloads 2

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

Impact Guard Tackle

This tackle is used when close to either try line and intended to stop the ball carrier from moving forward

Tackle Technique - Full Session

[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.

Jackling & Turnovers - Key skills

To often coaches go straight to working on areas of the game without breaking a specific skill into its multiple parts. Not only is this less effective but can be dangerous and lead to bad habits. This clip shows you how to approach the turnover

Back Play - Attack From Scrum - Younger Youth

To take advantage of the forwards being grouped and to utilize the space this provides, young players should be encouraged to develop their decision making from a non-prescriptive environment.
It’s not a matter of going through a strike move repertoire. Its a matter of attacking the space between the two teams and running support lines that will assist the ball carrier

Tackle Technique - Progressions for Juniors

This clip illustrates tackle technique using progressions suitable to all players and possibly requiring regular revisit to embed safe and effective tackling

2 v 1 Passing

Adding a live defender helps to encourage players to hold their depth in support, so a good pass can be completed.

Breakdown - How to ensure quick ball

An exercise to promote quick recycling at the breakdown. Coaches can use a variety of conditions to make this exercise harder or more intense

Tom Wood on Tackle Technique

Turning defence into attack

The Northampton saints approach to defence is to "Turn over ball" and to this end the tackle is only the start of the process and the coach outlines this approach and provides some examples

Reaction Tackle

Keep your players on their toes with this quick-fire 1v1 tackling exercise. Start with bags then progress to live tackles. Defending players have an obstacle to negotiate before performing the tackle, just as they may have in a game.

Managing the Contact Area

Concentrating on the actions of the tackler and the support player in the moments after a tackle. It's important to practice the correct body position and technique so that the right decision can be made on the pitch.

Breakdown - Accurate Rucking

This series of clips shows how conditioning and good technique are crucial to be effective at the breakdown. The progressions are simple and the key coaching points are Low to high body position Strong leg drive Accuracy on the target - The tackle bag

How Gloucester academy prepare for matches

See how the Gloucester academy manager prepares his squad prior to an academy fixture. The warm up includes lots of games, stretching and unit skills with a gradual increase in intensity

Offloading technique

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.

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.

Training at Home

Premiership coaches discuss the benefits of extra-curricular training at home and participation in other sports to develop skills.

Games for Juniors - 10's & over

The Sale sharks community coach delivers a "Game based" warm up with progressions that will lead onto to contact skills. The coach uses examples and questioning to support learning

Training at Home

Players can develop their ability by putting in extra work outside of their rugby training sessions. Premiership coaches explain the benefits of training at home.

Contact Warm-up

A multi-stage bag drill that gets players ready for an intense contact session.

Worcester - Decision Making

The coach uses a tackle sausage and ball to replicate an attacking player. If the player falls back towards the defender he secures the ball, if the attacker falls further away the defender clears aggressively. This exercise could be worked as a support player for one of your own attackers

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

Breakdown Skills for Mini age groups

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

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