3-man lifting practice with pads

Progress lifting practises with more movement as is required in matches. The coach can alter things to make the exercise easier or more demanding. Key factors : Communication - Fast feet - Straight back - Squat / bend the knee's - Lock out arms

Lineout Movement and Lifting

Using a coloured grid, pods of 3 can work on their timing and technique when moving before the lift. The coach calls which colour cone to jump from, so the players can learn to react quickly. Rotate jumpers so that players practice working in different pods.

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

Lineout - Learning To Lift

Learning to lift and work as a pod of three is the foundation of an effective line out. London Irish academy provides some great tips on how to coach this area

Learning to Lift for the Lineout - Get started

Some slightly different progressions in building upon the basic skills for an effective line out

Lineout - 4 pod passing challenge

Four lifting pods must hold their jumpers aloft long enough for them to pass a ball through the hands twice. Lifters should stand close together and try to lock-out their arms. Jumpers should maintain a strong core and keep their legs straight to make life easier for the lifters.

2-man lifting practice with pad

A good foundation exercise for technical development of practicing lifting with a tackle bag. You could use a contact pad or a tyre if you do not have a tackle bag. Key factors : Strong body position - Fast feet - Straigh back - Lock out the arms - Use momentum of both players

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

Lineout Lifting Progressions

The second session focusses on developing the basic techniques for building your line out. Wasps second row James Cannon takes some level 6 players through some progressions

Lineout Game - Pod Race

This game is also in the level 2 swatch (coaching the 15-a-side game).

When working with players actively lifting and jumping, it is most important to be sensitive to fatigue, primarily for safety reasons

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

Attacking in waves of 3

The ability to realign quickly is important to developing the back play and counter attacking. Coaches can vary the numbers and timing of the first pass to make this exercise easier or more demanding. Key factors : Run straight - Comunicate early - Uniform distance and depth - Catch & pass in one movement - Hips straight - Hands & armes across the body - Realign quickly - Aerobic fitness

Tackling on Knees - 3 v 1

Using three attackers ensures the defender tackles on both sides and from slightly different angles. The coach can vary the pace and width of this exercise

Introduction to tackling - Step 3

Repetitive exercises can help players become familiar with tackling technique.

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.

Lineout Lifting Fundamentals - Get started

An effective line out is based upon the fundamentals of movement, jumping and lifting. James Cannon from London Wasps takes some amateur players through the basic skills and techniques

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

The Lineout Game - Lifting techniques

The Lineout Game - Lifting techniques

Scrum-half Passing Exercises

Some useful exercises for scrum-halves to develop their passing skills.

Step 5 - Introducing the 3 v 3 Scrum

Speed Training - Warm Up Exercises

All athletes and especially sprinters use agility drills to get the body ready for speed training. Tom Varndell outlines some of the essential techniques players go through before the sprinting starts. You MUST WARM UP

Lineout Lifting Hand Placement

This video takes you through the importance of hand placement in building a solid lineout.

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

Tackling 3 - Hunting a Tackle

Tackling - Hunting a tackle

The Lineout Game - Lifting

When introducing lifting, consider the suitability of the players for each role. It may be that a small, light player now takes up a key role in jumping and catching while the bigger players, who may have previously jumped are best suited to lifting at this stage in development
When introducing lifting to young players, always side on caution and use spotters to assist in the initial learning stages. This will develop confidence and competence

Always be aware of fatigue and do not over work the players even if progress is slow

Lineout Lifting Basics

The lineout is a key part of rugby union and it is vital for player safety and success that the proper technique is learnt. James Cannon of London Wasps walks through the key technical elements of lineout lifting and jumping. Log in to see the full session.

Sale - Lineout lifting & set

Coaching junior players to lift effectively in the line out is based upon some simple steps. Ross Harrison from Sale sharks outlines the key principles and progresses to the driving maul

Lineout Lifting Fundamentals

Zoran Higgins takes you through the basic lifting fundamentals that all Junior players will have to learn. This focusses specifically on hand placement and body positioning.

Passing 4 v 3 reset

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

Core Strength - Swiss Ball Leg Lift

A strong core is essential in rugby, particularly for the forwards in the scrum. Once you have mastered the bridge, attempt lifting one leg at a time, while keeping your core strong.

Worcester Academy - Clearout Technique Exercise

Worcester Academy - Clearout Technique Exercise

Lions - 3&5 man scrum practice

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

Fitness exercises - Home or club

Here are a range of exercises for players to do at training or at home. The core techniques are the latest in conditioning for work at the breakdown

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.

Women's - 2 v 3 1

Women's - 2 v 3 1

Men's - Exiting the 22m 3

Men's - Exiting the 22m 3

Women's - Patterns of Play 3

Women's - Patterns of Play 3

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

Lineout game for speed of lifting

Elite coach Neal Hatley uses a game to develop speed of lifting in a lineout by providing an element of competition and fun.

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.

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.

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.

Fundamentals of Movement - Core Exercises

Some simple yet effective exercises to develop core strength and balance.

Throw and lift game

An effective game for giving the players multiple opportunities to practice lifting whilst playing a competitive game

Warm up standing exercises

An effective way to prepare the body for working out is using the body weight exercises such as the squat - here use a partner to work with

Movement and coordination in lifting

A great game for developing the unit coordination in the lift and throw.

Men's - Lineout maul good defence 3

Men's - Lineout maul good defence 3

7-man - walk-in middle lift

Players walk into the lineout and lift as soon as they are in line. If there are no defending jumpers, the best option is to go straight up in the middle. This requires practice to ensure timing and communication between, the hooker, jumper and lifters is right.

Quick and Fun Agility Exercises

In this video Ross Hanbury takes a detailed look at two quick and fun agility exercises to run with your players.

Men's - Strike Moves 3

Men's - Strike Moves 3

Group exercise for evasion & agility

Developing core skills for evasion and agility

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.

Andy Farrell's 3 Top tips For Defence

Simple Passing Exercises & Games

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

Step 3 - Introducing the 1 v 1 Scrum

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.

Did this Lineout win the World Cup

The black team split the lineout pods at the front and the back, the defence are then forced to move with these pods to compete or stop a driving maul, (As they are close to the try line), this creates a whole in the middle of the lineout which the black team exploit cleverely. This play is clever and tactical and shows how complex the lineout can be. Key factors : Lifting pods to move quickly - Strong jump - Accurate lifting - Accurate throw - Delayed run through the middle

Men's - Turnover and move the ball 3

Lions 09 lineout 3

Lineout variation and practice

Team continuity - using pods

Developing continuity skills in a team enviroment

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

Worcester Academy - Breakdown Exercise

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.

Tacking & evasion exercise

Developing core skills for evasion with other players

Agility & evasion exercise through poles

Developing core skills

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

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

Swerve & side step exercise

Develop agility and encourage players to try and beat defenders

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.

Good Practice - Segment 3

England U 20's - TOP Exercises

Tower of Power is made up of various elements and in this clip some of the England U 20's players go though some pushing & movement practises

Infringements Clip 3 - Cynical Play

Men's - Patterns of play 3

Advantage Clip 3 - Scrum Advantage

Lions 09 Backs defence 3

A clip with a progression on defensive systems from the 2009 Lions Tour

Foul Play Clip 3 - Lineout Interference

Materiality Clip 3 - Scrum Binding

4 v 3 after 5m reset

Core skills training

3. Ruck Touch

3. Chain Tig

Attacking realignment in 3s exercise

Handling progression

Alignment exercise in 3s

A handling progression for developing speed of handling & alignment

Intense handling exercise - 4 man

Core skills drill

Learning to spin pass 3

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

6 v 2 v 2 v 2 v 3

Developing the skills into decision making down a channel

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

Sevens - Turnovers and move the ball 3

Sevens - Good contact body position/ball presentation 3

Sevens - Classic Tackle 3

Sevens - Offloads 3

Sevens - Straight Scrums 3

Sevens - Wheeled Scrums 3

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

Change the point of attack - 4 v 3

This drill allows you to develop decision making by varying the attack and defence continually thus accelerating learning

3 v 2 in channel

A good progression from the 2 v 1 drill

Sevens - Standard restart with good catch 3

British lions - team play 3

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

Lions 09 - 3-man Scrum Practice

Develop the front row as a foundation for the building of the scrum

Contextual Clip 3 - Tackle