Rugby: Run, re-align & tackle

Set up 4 grids of about 8-10m by 5m.

3 players start on the first grid, working from one end to the other, covering the 5m distance.

• The aim is to stay in one straight line as they go up, and also keep themselves evenly spaced
• Once they have achieved that, they fall back into the next grid diagonally across and back. Now there should be 6 players on the line, and they all work together to come off the line, as one.

Players continue working like this, until they reach the end of the grid.

Once the coach blows his whistle the line may press off.

Drill to test defenders reactions to situations.

Set up a 15m x 15m grid with 3 defenders (blue) and 4 attackers (red).

All start on the side with the green cones, and jog towards the side with the red cones, defenders about 5m infront of the attackers.

On the coaches call the defenders turn to defend and have to adjust to the attack.

• Groups of 10+ 
• 3 Bags 
• balls 
• Cones

1. With bags 

3 Attckers with bags are given a number, 5 defenders line up opposite within the grid. 

When coach says so he shouts a number (this is the attacker that the defenders will tackle and adjust too) 

when the number is shouted both attackers and defenders shoot off the line to meet in the middle (green cones) 

Here a tackle is performed on the given number and players will adjuest and stay connected accrodingly. 

2. With a ball not bags. 

This progression makes it more realistic, and means the 5 defenders have to adjust to the differnt moves the attackers throw at them. 

Players line up together along the line of the 1st set of cones.

On the signal of the coach all the players advance to the 3rd set of cones (20 meters away), making sure they all keep together in a straight line.

The players then retreat 10 meters to the 2nd set of cones, making sure they stay in line.

From the 2nd set of cones the players then advance a further 20 metres to the 4th set of cones and then retreat 10 meters back, to the previous set of cones.