Women's - Turnovers and move the ball
Men's - Turnover and move the ball
From a turnover in contact the attackers pass the ball wide one way and then a deep wide pass back in the other direction to pull the defence out of shape and create an opportunity to attack. Key factors : Wide flat pass - Players support from depth - Deep wide pass - Running and swerving past the defender
A turnover from a strong tackle and quick "Jackle" where the defender uses the momentum of the attacking player to swimg up onto his feet and contest the ball, this results in a line break. Key factors : Tackle technique - Urgency to get up to feet - Core strength - Speed
Men's - Turnover and move the ball 4
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
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
A strong scrum can be a great weapon for attack in seven's, in this clip the Red scrum puts pressure on the defending loose head (Right hand prop) which wheels the scrum and allows the defending scrum half to disrupt the ball forcing a turnover. Key factors : Tight binding - Low body position - Leg drive - Working as a unit
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
To ensure players consider the best options at the moment they win turnover ball.
The easy option may be to go straight back into contact, but this gives the opposition time to organise a defence.
Encourage players to move the ball away from contact and attack the space wide
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.
Dean Ryan expresses the importance of turnover ball.
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
A strong scrum from the black team turns over the ball for an attack. The left hand prop (Loose head) puts pressure on the Red team hooker so that he does not hook the ball effectively. Key factors : Tight binding - Low driving position - Working as a unit - Leg drive
Good tackle technique when chasing a player from behind. The defender gets to his feet quickly to contest the ball. Key factors : Head to one side - Arms around attackers waist and slide down - Keep your arms around the attackers legs - Use momentum to get back to your feet
Sevens - Offloads 1
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
Men's - Good body position in contact & ball presentation 1
Junior - Strike Moves 1
Sevens - Full Lineout 1
Women's - Strike Moves 1
This quick practice runs through how to attack straight from a turnover.
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
Developing attack plays through the backs
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
Players can strike from any location on the pitch, in this clip the Red team relax thinking they have the attackers behind their own posts, however a strong scrum, good pass and great step create the gap to go through, the next 95 metres is all about speed and fitnes. Key factors : Space beetween attackers - Good pass - Side step - Speed - Stamina
Conor O Shea discusses the importance of turnover ball and why coaches and players should work at this regularly
In this exercise, the emphasis is on linespeed in defence. The purpose is to put pressure on the attacking team to force an error and create the turnover opportunity.
When an opportunity is acknowledged, players flood the breakdown to gain possession, before moving the ball away quickly
A good 'go to' strike move for all players 1-15 to know. Passing the ball behind a decoy runner can commit and confuse defenders, hopefully creating holes to attack.
A progression from the 2 v 1, where a second pass is encouraged to move the ball away from the defender.
The turnover is an essential source of attacking ball, and one that shouldn't be ignored by coaches.
Sevens - Uncovered - The Sevens Referee
Harlequins players work on a variety of techniques to "Turnover" ball and this clip shows some of the exercises they use. Coaches can choose to use similar practise's or adapt slightly for your own players
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
Re - starts are as numerous as scrums in seven's and coaches should put as much emphasis on the kick off as any other facet of the game. Possession is crucial in seven's and an effective re - start strategy can win not only matches but tournaments for teams. You must posses players who can kick and contest the ball in the air becasue if not you will be competing without the ball for long periods of the match. Listen to the top coaches on how important they think the kick offs are
This great game helps you work on your ball transfer and fend. It teaches players how to keep the ball away from contact increasing ball retention on the pitch!
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
The leading international coaches explain why defence is so important and how much emphasis they put on it. This clip features a variety of tackles and techniques and post good defence the opportunity to turn the ball over. Most coaches will use a system for their defence and here are some insights
The breakdown has become a significant area for coaches and players to focus on. All players now need the technical skills and the intensity to compete at the tackle area and if players are poor in this area teams will be exposed. Some teams will select a specialist in this area and combine his skills with tackle technique from other players so that they work in units to turn over possesion
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
This footage outlines the importance of "decision making" in seven's. The top sides have players with a variety of skills but to be consistent performers teams require a playmaker who has the vision and tactical acumen to manage team tactics "On the move" and the ability to create opportunities out of nothing
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
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
Description of activity: One player from each team must stand behind the try line at the end of the pitch and act as a scorer. The team in possession of the ball may score a point by passing the ball to their scorer. The scorer must stay behind the try line but may move along the length in order to receive the ball. Rotate the scorers after every score
Adding variety into your sessions keeps players interested as they learn new skills or try to improve key techniques but in a different way. Patrick O'Grady from London Irish explain why he uses different sized balls
Elite coaches discuss their attacking philosophies and this underpines the skills and techniques they will work on as coaches and the type of trainign sessions they will plan. As a coach how do you coach the skills that the Fijian players possess or the patience the Welsh side had to win the last 7's world cup. Does the team represent the ideas and plans of the coach?
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.
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
RGS Guildford secure lineout ball and perform a 'circle' ball, with the fly-half looping around the centre who pops the ball back to him. This is to draw in defenders, to create space out wide. The winger is able to exploit this space to complete the try.
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
Jake Sharp from Oaklands college delivers a fun game that requires a range of skills from the players. The coach uses lots of questioning to cement the learning and talk about why games are such an important coaching tool
A fun but competitive warm-up game that get's players switched on and ready to train.
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
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 lone attacker must beat a single defender. This is great way to develop evasion skills in the attacker, and positioning for 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
Breaking down the turnover situation into separate technical elements, players can work on their essential skills.
Here, in a series of progressions, the emphasis is on the first defender to arrive at the breakdown. They should attack the breakdown and fight to get through and past the ball.
See some of the exercises the England 7's players go through for fitness & speed
To build confidence in tackling technique and taking contact, it can be a good idea to start with players on their knees.
Tag Game - End Ball and Rugby Netball
Eddie Jones manages a game at training focusing on creating quick ball, is this the basis of his attacking game & will it work?
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.
This exercise from London Scottish works to maintain high levels of both ball presentation and handling skills at the same time.
A well contested scrum from both teams. Good technique and body position ensure a solid and safe scrum. The red team use this restart to kick and gain territory. Key factors : Strong body position - Tight binding between the players - Calling - Players push in a straight line - Ball control from ther no 8
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.
Retaining possession in Seven's wins matches, it's that simple but these days you need to improve your contact skills. Phil Greening provides a few tips and some insight into some of the USA's training drills
Young players are very rarely taught how to hold the ball. This video explains why this is important, how to coach it and incorporates some fun grip games to enforce the technique.
The ability to move from 1 to 1 tackling exercises into unit & group skills can be tricky. Here are some tips that you could use
With less players the breakdown is much cleaner in Seven's and knowing the laws and being accurate in your skills wins matches. Mike Friday clarifies what can be a complex area and why many coaches focus on this facet of the game
Tag Game - Tag Rugby 1
Use this game to practice great ball presentation. Ensure the tackling player is bouncing back to their feet so that this mentality carries over to game day.
Scotlands clever score from the line out v Ireland was a great example of coaches or players being innovative and looking at new ways to do things. This clip shows a few slightly different uses for placing your scrum half at the front of the line out. It is just ideas and about pushing the boundaries of the laws