Core skills handling
A lone attacker must beat a single defender. This is great way to develop evasion skills in the attacker, and positioning for the defender.
A decision making exercise to beat defenders and attack shoulders
A basic 2 v 1 drill that encourages players to time their pass after they have drawn a defender, and for the supporting player to hold their depth.
Now working in just twos, we are concerned with depth, and the timing of the pass. Allow players to practice before adding a static defender. This can be a tackle bag as demonstrated. Players take the ball up to the defender but must complete the pass before they reach it.
Adding a live defender helps to encourage players to hold their depth in support, so a good pass can be completed.
Stand side-on to progress towards the lateral pass. Push the ball rather than swinging so your hand is pointing to the target after the ball has been passed. Maintain soft hands when catching the ball
These are core skill drills for youngsters to learn the game. As a coach you can alter the width and depth of the supporting players
Developing lines of running to attack the inside shoulder of defenders
watch the switch in action
Round the world passing challenge. Each player has a ball and they try and reach Ten passes of each hand. You can progress this by doing 1 pass to the left and then 1 to the right, then two to the left and so on until you get to 10, this is tough!!
A variety of passes create a 2 v 1 which is executed perfectly for the outside attacker to score. Key factors : Different angles of running and support - Comunication - Ball presentation - Effective clearing of defenders at the breakdown - Accurate wide passes - Attack the inside shoulder of the last defender - Flat spin pass
Having identified a 2 v 1 situation, the RGS Guildford player decides not to give an early pass from the breakdown, but instead to run and commit the defender before giving a pass to his teammate. Key factors: Timing - communication - accurate passing
Seven's is about creating chances and then taking them. In this clip the Blue team take the ball up the middle of the pitch to draw in defenders, after recycling the ball they have a 2 v 1 opportunity, a straight line of running and a flat wide pass creates the try. Key factors : Call early - Run straight - Wide spin pass - Catch and swerve to score
A good example of phase play to create a 2 v 1 attacking platform. The initial deep pass then creates an overlap and the defender drifts to allow the attacker to run through easily.
Key factors : Quick ball at breakdown - Straight lines of running - Deep pass - straight lines of running again - Loud communication
A progression from the 2 v 1, where a second pass is encouraged to move the ball away from the defender.
A variety of passing and phases which are used to stretch the defence in order to create a whole for the attacker to exploit. Key factors : Wide spin pass - Short pop pass - Overhead pass - Lots of calling and commuication - Players retreat backwards to be in support
A simple but effective attack from a scrum. Three good passes provides the winger to run past his defender to score. Notice how the first reciever is directly behind the scrum and not to the side, (This makes the pass from the scrum easier when under pressure). Key factors : Position of 1st reciever - Run straigh and wide spin pass - Speed of the runner
Introduction to TAG
Three phases of play with accurate passing and quick ball from each breakdown creates the opportunity for the scrum half to run through and score
Key factors : Present a target with your hands - Pass the ball laterally - Run straight / inside shoulder of the defender
Three phases of play with accurate passing and quick ball from each breakdown creates the opportunity for the scrum half to run through and score Key factors Present a target with your hands Pass the ball laterally Run straight / inside shoulder of the defender
Use this exercise to replicate a line break with one defender to beat. The attackers need to move the defender and execute a 2 v 1 while the initial defender tracks back to stop the pass. Also works movement at top end speed for the main attacker
Tag Game - Tag Rugby 1
Rugby is a game of evasion. The movement and agility of players is integral to evasion and coaches should integrate specific exercises into training sessions. Coaches can use small sided games along with some simple practises
A progression from 2 v 1 , 3 v 2 to 4 v 3
If the ball is tucked under one arm, the ball carrier is unlikely to throw a 10 metre miss pass. So are the attackers 2 and 3 places out the primary threat?
If the ball carrier is running with the ball in both hands, the immediate threat may have a wider radius
If two centres are running at a centre and a prop, the primary threat may be the space defended by the prop
Use progressions to change the pressure points so that players are taken "Out of their comfort zone" and experience more match related situations. Rugby is about creating a 2 v 1 opportunity so fixing defenders is one of the most important skills to learn
Developing passing skills with more pressure and intensity
A good decision-making exercise which requires players to practice their basic running and passing skills
7. 5 Pass Game
This simple drill breaks down the catch and pass while running in a straight line. Players also practice their communication skills.
Junior - 2 v 1 1
Children are naturally competitive and will engage more in training exercises that include a competitive edge. This challenges their skills under pressure and creates excitement and fun
Sevens - Offloads 1
Winger positional skills.
A new tackle technique exercise without the "Bone on Bone" collisions
Isolated technical practice
Courtesy of the SRU
handling progression for developing lines of running and support
Handling Progression for developing the ability to create depth from a flat line
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
Practice body position and warm up for full scrum session.
Winger positional skills training.
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.
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
This video takes you through the skills to use in a 1v1. Use the fend, ball transfer and footwork to beat the man.
Aim of the game: In pairs, walk, jog or run around the grid, passing to their partner only when they call for the ball. Other players will be obstructing their vision and the flight of the pass, so decisions on when to pass will need to be developed
The quality of passes from Ford and Farrell to enable Elliot Daley to slide past his defender was the difference in the Wales V England match. The skills required to perfect these passes were honed on the training ground over several years. See what type of drills they did and still do
Harlequins pride themselves on their attacking play and the foundation to this philosophy is the quality of their passing. Attack coach Colin Osbourne runs skills session on passing accuracy.
Elite Sixth form players showcase that good passing technique is essential to become a good rugby player. The pass has some simple but very important components that need to be practised
This clip shows the classic passing process but with a significant twist in what players can do post the pass
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
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.
Saracens academy coach Rory Teague explains the basic principles of the spin pass including the exercises and progressions that can be used to help players improve their techniques and accuracy
Controlling the ball is a fundamental skill, it may be simple but it is very important. Practise is important and is the foundation to passing and the ability to control and vary your pass
Lee Dickson leads a passing session at the Northampton saints summer training camp. The focus is on doing the simple things well and progressing the practises to make things more challenging
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.
Learning to pass backwards is fundamental to rugby newcomers. This session brings minis out of a game for a few minutes to focus on that key skill, before taking them back into the game. Note the emphasis on questioning, development and how feedback changes depending on the ability of the child.
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
Some useful exercises for scrum-halves to develop their passing skills.
Being able to catch is fundamental to rugby and the majority of sports. Catching in rugby is slightly different due to the shape of the ball and understanding the technical points of "How to catch" is a very important area for all young players. This clip explains some of the finer points and why a good catch is the basis of a good pass
Working in pairs, the key point of this passing drill is for the support runner to be deep and taking the ball at pace.
Accuracy of passing can make the difference between finished chances or missed opportunities. In this video, Northampton Saints look at developing passing accuracy through games and focused exercises. Log in to see the full sessions.
Learning to pass backwards is fundamental to rugby newcomers. This session brings minis out of a game for a few minutes to focus on that key skill, before taking them back into the game. Note the emphasis on questioning, development and how feedback changes depending on the ability of the child.
This exercise is used by most coaches to identify a players passing and catching accuracy. The Northampton Saints coaches break down the skills required to ensure that "Simple things" are done well
Coaching players to pass with variety and accuracy is one of the most important challenges a coach faces. The Harlequins academy players are presented with some very challenging exercises to help this process
Have some fun at home with some challenges passing games
A variety of drills and games to practice and improve your catching & passing
This video takes you through the basics of why and how we pass in Rugby! Use these explanations and simple progressions to help your players.
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
This video takes you through the basics of why and how we pass in Rugby! Use these explanations and simple progressions to help your players.
Sale Sharks and Scotland scrum half Chris Cusiter leads a session on passing from the base of a scrum or ruck. In this first video, Chris addresses basic technique in a couple of exercises that warm up the wrists and arms.
Working in waves of three, break down the components to catch and pass technique.
To develop the Miss Pass
To develop and progress the loop pass
At the JWC 2012 is was clear that more forwards were passing the ball.
A quick exercise to identify ability in catching & passing. Encourage players to have targets up, and to hold their run.
Learning to spin pass is one of the first things young players want to do, it takes hours of practice and older / elite players continue practising throughout their careers. This video shows some simple exercises to do at home
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
A passing game that encourages quick hands to catch out team-mates. Include press-ups to include a bit of upper body warm-up as well.
An introduction to coaching the lateral pass
Young Brazilian players just learning the game start out with some smile passing exercise, this is perfect for any young player starting out in the game
Here are few exercises to help players of all ages improve their spin passing at home, even if there's no one else to practice with! As always, try to train your weaker hand so you have better options on the field.
This passing exercise is weird, extremely tough to do but will take your players out of their comfort zone and challenge them, can your players master it?
To develop the core passing skills
Southern hemisphere players pride themselves on their passing skills. In this clip, the NSW Waratahs go through some wide passing exercises.
Adding variations to a basic lateral passing drill is a solid foundation to build into strike moves. Players should concentrate on pass accuracy and the timing and direction of their running lines. Add defenders to progress.
Players must pass through gate before passing to supporting player before they reach the gate. This helps to ensure supporting players hold their depth and maintain a straight running line.
An essential drill for new players, or a simple but relevant one for experienced players. New players should make sure their passes are not forward and are targeted in front of their teammate's chest. More experienced players can focus on speed of pass and footwork. In this example, a large group is split into two adjacent drills to ensure players aren't stationary for too long.
A core passing exercise for developing the lateral passing drill
Test the middle player with a circle of players who feed two balls in. The passing players MUST call the middle persons name and give a good pass otherwise this exercise will fail. This is great fun if managed properly and excellent for hand / eye
A simple lateral passing exercise for all standards. These basic skills are fundamental to rugby and should be repeated using a number of different practises. Key factors : Communication - Present a target with your hands - Run straight - Pass the ball across your body - Realign to repeat
The 10 pass warm up game is excellent to introduce an activity that has a focus on dynamic mobilisation and raising the heart rate.
Players should be asked to focus on their special awareness, passing technique and communication.
To maximise participation, introduce another ball or split the game into two or three smaller games.
To develop the lateral passing and take a look at the fundamental movements
This exercise looks to develop the decision-making around the timing of a pass, and highlights running at pace and holding depth.
Being able to pass under pressure is how players perform in games. This exercise challenges players to react to multiple prompts and is great for all junior and senior players
Passing progressions are based upon the ability of players to fix defenders. Always insure your exercises reflect match situations and refrain from just doing drills because they look good
Harlequins Academy go through a few exercises designed to improve passing accuracy. Premier members can log in now to see full sessions from Harlequins and other Premiership clubs.
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.