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Rugby: Wave After Wave

I am so pleased with all of the drills and advice on rugby. I am a...

Mokie, Rugby Coach

DESCRIPTION

Keep your player briefing, brief! Tell the players the following or have a demonstration group.....

We have 1 scrum half, 4 runners and 3 defenders with tackle/ruck shields.
The scrum half starts the attacking line by passing a ball from the ground at the first cone, to the first receiver in the attacking line.
The defenders start 10 meters back and press up on the first 3 attackers, leaving the 4th attacker free. The attackers use quick hands to move the ball down the line, before the next cone.
The last receiver sets the ball down, the attack line will have realigned, and the scrum half will now be on the second cone of the opposite side of the grid ready to restart the attack.
The defenders rush 10 meters back and and once again press up on the first 3 attackers, leaving the 4th attacker free.
They keep going until the end of the grid, turn around - and do the same working down the grid.

Don't forget to change the defenders.

COACHING POINTS

Don't feel that you have to focus on all of the following coaching points, you may have your own. Select the points that most closely match your overall training and session goals.

The tempo of this exercise must be high as a skill is only a skills when it can be preformed under pressure, and this exercise applies pressure.

Ball carriers work a speed they are initially comfortable with, building more in more speed and faster decision making as they go - while retaining passing quality.

Passes from the the scrum half are weighted correctly in terms of speed, distance, and accuracy.

Spin passes are not used when they do not need to be.

The ball carrier uses effective, efficient, and encouraging communication to ensure that they receive the ball when they want it - and to ensure that they have enough time and space to make their pass.

Players use good communication to encourage the runner - also helping with the timing and origin of the pass. You'll find that players will be working hard to scan the grid, and some may be a little like a rabbit in headlights - confused!

Players should aim to get into a rhythm - they need to loosen up and establish a tempo. This is about playing the game or completing the exercise with freedom. Mistakes happen, if we can help players by not having them over-think or get stressed - then we can cut the number of mistakes. Giving players the freedom to make mistakes can actually reduce the number of mistakes and gives players the freedom to enjoy their game and training - while being creative.

When passing, ball carriers draw the pass, in one motion, across their body.

Receivers present targets and have their hands up, ready to catch.

Relievers can clap their hands to establish a target.

Attackers build their speed, moving the ball through their hands quickly - passing/guiding the ball - not firing it.

Attackers identify and attack space.

Defenders close the gap between them and the attack, as a line, and quickly.

Attackers use depth to give them more time and space.

Attackers realign after each attack, ready for the next.

Attackers use quick hands, side steps, changes in pace, spins etc. to beat the defence.

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OFTEN USED WITH...

Scrum Half - Shotgun Alley:

Explain to thescrum halfs that they are to attempt to pass the ball at the attackers and attempt to hit them below the shoulders.
It won't be a completed pass as the attackers are just trying to avoid getting hit.
The scrum halfs can move sideways along the edge of grid, however, cannot move forward into the grid.
The attackers can attack when they like, and if hit they can be out - or have more than one life.
When an scrum half makes it through the grid successfully, with out being directly hit by a pass, they wait at the other end till all the other attackers make it.
The scrum halfs must make their passes/hits from the groud.

Sevens

Zig Zag Relay:

Tell the players to do the following......

The player with the ball passes to the next player and follows the direction of the ball.
The chasing or support player must touch the cone of the player they passed to.
The player who receives the ball does the same and so on to the last player who receives the ball and runs around the group to the first cone and restarts the drill.
The player returning to their cone, must backstep their way to their starting location.

Passing

Up and Down:

Tell them the following......

Each attack will be up and down, up the left and down the right side of the cones.
Eack attack will see the ball move down the line once.
Run out to far cone and back - 1/2 pace - no forward passes.
Run out to third cone and back - jog - 3/4 pace back.
Run out to second cone and back - fast out - fast back.
Off-load the ball to the next attacking line - they do the same.
That's it, get working.