Lions 09 - Lions speed and tracking the player

Developing linespeed, footwork and tracking

Lions 09 - Driving Body-position

A great practice for ALL players in the scrum to adopt the best position to drive from. You can use tackle bags as well as tyres

Lions 09 - Lineout Movement

A dynamic practise for speed and quality of lifting in lineouts. This exercise can be used for 15's and 7's and for different age groups. The coaches can vary the distance of the cones and progress to both lifters moving. Coaches can add some fun by making it a competition. Key factors : The jumper must jump - Core body strength - Keep body stiff and straight - Lifters work together - Lock out arms - Bring the jumper down safely

Lions 09 - tactical kicking drill - kicking from 12

Tactical kicking can be undertaken by different players

Lions 09 - Double-tackle

A good practice to work on stopping an effective ball carrying player

Lions 09 - Strike Moves

The Lions drill for developing awareness of attack and defence options

Lions 09 backs defence 4 man on man

Lions 2009 defence clip

Lions 09 Backs support lines 3

Lions 2009 support drills, with a progression

Lions 09 defence 04

Lions 2009 defensive systems

Lions 09 backs support lines 2

Lions 2009 support and continuity work

Lions 09 Backs defence 3

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

Lions 09 Backs defence 2

A clip from the 2009 Lions

Lions 09 Attack plays 2

A clip on attacking options from the 2009 Lions

Lions 09 Lineout 1

The Lions practice their lineouts

Speed Training - Speed Off The Mark

All players can train to get quicker & being quicker off the mark is a great asset to have when playing rugby. Tom Varndell one of the quickest players in the game goes through some acceleration drills

Lions 09 - backline defence in own 22 option 2

Defensive systems change according to where the team is on the pitch

Lions 09 - 3-man Scrum Practice

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

Lions 09 - backline defence - centre pitch

Where you are on the pitch can determine the defensive system that you can employ.

Lions 09 - Clearing the tackler away

With the new adjustments around the tackle zone, what variation would you adopt now so that this drill is now legal?

Lions 09 - backline defence inown 22 option 3

Where you are on the pitch can determine you defensive system

Lions 09 - linespeed defence drill

Developing linespeed is fundamental to applying pressure to an attack line

Lions 09 - Support & Attack

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

Lions 09 - tactical kicking drill 1

Developing an awareness of how to apply pressure through an effective kick chase policy

Lions 09 lineout 2

Lineout variation and practice

Lions 09 Strike Moves 07

Developing attacking plays through the backs

Lions 09 - Phase Play

This team play practice requires the team to be able to attacke with width and focusing on ball retention

Lions 09 - backline defence in own 22

Where you are on the pitch can deterrmine the defensive system you play

Lions 09 - tactical kicking drill - chase and return

Developing an awareness of applying pressure through an effective kick chase system

Lions 09 strike move 11

Developing back play in attack

Lions 09 - tactical kicking drill 2 blindside

A practice for developing understanding the role of chasers and counter kicking

Lions 09 - tactical kicking - dropping back for kick-return

Positioning ready for the kick return is a systematic approach to countering pressure

Lions 09 - Team Defence

Practice of team defence is important for reinforcing effective systems of defence that require aspects such as communication, pressure and drifting

Lions 09 strike moves 4

Developing attack moves through the backs

Lions 09 Lineout 4

Lineout variation and practice

Lions 09 strike moves 10

developing plays in attack

Lions 09 Backs defence 1

A clip from the 2009 on defence systems

Lions 09 lineout 5

Lineout variation and development

Lions 09 strike moves 6

Developing attacking plays through the backs

Lions 09 Strike Moves 3

Developimg attack plays through the backs

Lions 09 strike move 5

Developing play in backs

Lions 09 strike move 8

Developing play through the backs

Lions 09 lineout 3

Lineout variation and practice

Speed Training - Techniques For Speed

Speed drills are exercises that educate & prepare the body for explosive sprinting and are integral to getting quicker. These exercises should be practised regularly as part of a players overall conditioning program

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

Seven's - Speed Training

See some of the exercises the England 7's players go through for fitness & speed

Beating defenders with speed

Changing speed is a skill which all players should understand

Broncos 1 - Scramble defence - Tracking back

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

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

Lineout - Speed & Movement Drill

Working in pods of three on speed & movement will help you win line outs. Players also develop better skills in order to play a better standard of rugby and help others around them. Another London Irish coaching resource

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

My Dream Lions Team

Geech - Lions Coaches were Years Ahead

Were the Lions coaches ahead of the game. The 1997 coaches discuss tackle techniques that are only being implemented now

British Lions - Team play

The practice of a semi opposed team run is important for understanding by the players of their roles and responsibilities

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

British lions - team play 3

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

Speed To Breakdown Game

Within the defensive side, mark some players as tacklers only and some a jackalers only. It is up to the attack to identify holes and the defence to ensure they are quick to the breakdown.

Warren Gatland as Lions Head Coach

Lions Memories - Part 1/2

Conditioning for Young Players

Even if players are too young to go to the gym, it can be beneficial for them to do bodyweight exercises that help to prepare their bodies for more physical rugby in future years. Sam Bennett from Leeds Carnegie highlights some of the key points for young players to consider, which apply to all players at amateur or competitive level.

Lions Memories - Part 2/2

Tackling 1 - Tracking

Tackling 6 - Revision of Tracking and Basic Technique

Geech - Bringing a Lions Squad Together

Contact Skills for Young Players

Leeds academy coaches cover the fundamentals skills for the contact area. This is a useful session for young players to focus on body position and key techinques.

Tackling 9 - Revise Tracking and Front Tackling

Improving your relationship with players

Psychologist John Neal explains how critical it is for a coach to have rapport with their players, parents, co-coaches and club staff, to understand how they think, and therefore build better relationships.

Coach Player Rapport

Do you understand the significance of 'Rapport" and how this can influence how good a coach you are. Elite coaches, experts and pundits provide a clear view of how important this is

Geech - Selecting a Lions Squad

Geech - Lions Tactics

Gavin Hasting's Lions XV

A Player's Responsibility to Prepare

It's not just down to coaches to prepare players for the game. Most of the work must be done by the players themselves, to ensure they are in the best physical and mental condition to perform and learn.

Player / Coach Relationship

How much say do your players have in how you train and prepare? Premiership Rugby stars share their experiences.

Core Stability for Rugby Players

Becoming stronger and more powerful is important for rugby players of all standards. However, it is important for players to have a strong core before they progress into lifting weights. Here are some simple core exercises that can be done anywhere without any equipment.

The Most Important Values For Players

Saracens academy manager Don Barrell explains his views on what the most important values young players should have and what he looks for

Stop Your Players Crabbing Sideways

Successful rugby requires players to run straight and fix defenders. This is a constant challenge to coaches and new ideas and exercises can freshen up your training sessions, this clip has two practises along with some advice from elite coaches

Being positive with players is crucial

Building a positive environment for your players is important for their self-esteem and confidence on the pitch.

Player Welfare and Tackle Technique

Head injuries are a serious consequence to rugby and an area that deserves the attention of all players and coaches. Be proactive by coaching and re-coaching tackle technique to reinforce good habits.

Tactics Are For All Your Players

Danny Care scores a great try due to a lack of tactical understanding from several players. Simple match analysis would resolve this and outlines why coaches should work with all players on roles & responsibilities

HSBC - Gatland Appointed Lions Coach

Former British & Irish Lions Jason Robinson, Gavin Hastings and former Wales international Jonathan Davies commenting on the appointment of Warren Gatland as Head Coach of the 2013 British & Irish Lions Tour to Australia.

Four Player Continuous Passing

A quick drill to focus the players before going into a session or at the start of a match day warm up.

Jonathan Joseph - Improve Player Skills

Holidays are the perfect time to get stuck into some individual skills and this clip provides a few ideas and advice from leading players

Trust your players - John Neal

Psychologist John Neal explains the importance of trust in the development of a coach's relationship with their players.

End Ball & Connecting Players

Fantastic game for warm ups, integrating new players and working on a wide range of skills. Its fun and this example has a "Game within a game"

Expert - Conor O Shea - what makes a great player

Conor O Shea gives us his thoughts on what makes a great player

Paul Hull: Do Players make Good Coaches?

Paul Hull explains that sometimes former players can make great coaches, but they need to combine their technical knowledge and experience with the right communication skills.

Fun Sessions for Young Players - Start with Safety

We all want our sessions to be fun, but it all starts with the set-up, safety and reassurance from coaches. Particularly for young players. Achieve that and you will have a fun, productive session.

Men's - Support Player Leach

Men's - Support Player Leach

Line Speed Game

Use this great game to work on your team’s line speed and spacing. Reward the defence for moving the defence back and punish them for passive defence.

Principles of Defence - Line Speed

Ex Harlequins coach Collin Osborne explains his fourth defensive principle - Line Speed.

Players First - Challenging & New Games

What are the biggest challenges you face as a coach, we all differ and in this clip two under 15's coaches discuss what the struggle with and offer some solutions

Quins - Defence Spacing & Line Speed

Tony Dirpose from Harlequins delivers a unit defence exercise on spacing and line speed

Players First - Circle & Caterpillar Game

A great fun game to get training started and integrate new players into your squad. Lots of progressions and a variety of skills on show

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.

Women's - Injured players and medics

Women's - Injured players and medics

Junior - Accurate clearing of players 1

Junior - Accurate clearing of players

Junior - Players warming up

Junior - Players warming up

Pressure players to make decisions

A simple attacking drill mixed up by calling a random number of attackers and defenders instantly before. This takes the players out of their comfort zone as they are forced to react and make decisions rather than pre-plan.

Defence - 9. Widest Players Organise

The widest players are most often best place to assess the threats and have a major role in directing the defence

Lions - Backs options from scrum

Lions 2009 clip on attacking options

Three player passing challenge

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