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Rugby: 3 v 1

3 v 1 DRILLS
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3 v 1 Grid

6x6m Grid Ball Players line up in 3s opposite sides of the grid. Simply pass the ball along the line. 1 defender is in the middle of the grid putting pressure on all ball carriers. Once hand completed the next line starts immediately. Defender swaps out when there is a mistake or when he touches someone with the ball. Progression: add another defender, make the passes wider.

Catching

Team of 5 v 1 v 3 v 1

Change the shape of the defenders. Instead of a single line, one behind the other, try 1 then 3 then 1 or 1 2 2.

Tag Rugby

The Trinity

The exercise starts with the first attacking unit running around the bottom of the grid, as they do the first defending unit run around the top of the grid. The first defender run up to defend in line with the first cone, the second defender in line with the middle cone, and the last defender is at the end of the grid. Therefore the attack will aim to beat the 3 defenders, in three 3 v 1 situations. When the attack finishes, they pass the ball to the next attacking unit, and the exercise starts again with the new attacking and defending unit. The last two attacking and defending units, switch sides returning to starting positions, ready to go again.

Sevens

3 v 1 Grid Passing - Rugby Dri...

6x6m Grid Ball Players line up in 3s opposite sides of the grid. Simply pass the ball along the line. 1 defender is in the middle of the grid putting pressure on all ball carriers.Once hand completed the next line starts immediately. Defender swaps out when there is a mistake or when he touches someone with the ball. Progression: add another defender, make the passes wider.

General

3 v 2 into 2 v 1 Passing - Rug...

Drill to practice overlap situations.Set up a grid roughly 10m x 10m, with another grid roughly 5m x 5m adjacent to it (see diagram - red cones and green cones).In the bigger grid have two defenders (red) and in the smaller grid have one defender (red).Three attackers (blue) attack the 2 defenders in the first grid. Once they have completed the 3 v 2 situation the player with the ball and one other support player run around the cone and attack the one defender in the smaller grid.Swap the attack and defence after 3-5 repetitions. PROGRESSION:The ball starts on the opposite side to practice passing in both directions.A coach/other player feeds the ball to the three attackers so the drill can start in any position. The coach/other player can kick or roll the ball to the attack to start the drill.

General

Team of 5 v 1 v 3 v 1 Tag Rugb...

Change the shape of the defenders. Instead of a single line, one behind the other, try 1 then 3 then 1 or 1 2 2.

General

2 v 1 into 3 v 2 Decision maki...

Drill to improve short space and wide space overlap play.Set up a grid 15m wide, split into a 5m channel and a 10m channel, and 10m long (see diagram).4 attackers (red) line up along one side, A1 and A2 within the 5m channel opposite D1(blue). A3 and A4 line up in the 10m channel opposite D2 and D3.A1 and A2 run a 2v1 against D1 in the 5m channel. When A2 receives the ball they run out of the 5m channel into the 10m channel and into a 3v2 situation linking with A3 and A4 attacking D2 and D3.D2 and D3 can't move until A2 enters the 10m channel, and to start with can only move laterally along the try line.DISCUSSION:If players are struggling to execute the 3 v 2 situation, widen the 10m channel to 15m and once they have success at this width bring the channel back to 10m wide.PROGRESSION:D2 and D3 can move off the line to put pressure on the attack once A2 enters the 10m channel.

General

2 v 1 Passing - Rugby Drills, ...

This is a simple 2 v 1. The two players have to get past the one defender without being touched, that's it. The defender will start 10 meters back, and can move anywhere inside the box. The attack must remain inside the box and all pass msut be legal. Don't forget to change the defender.

General

2 v 1 Around The Corner Decisi...

• The aim of the drill is to develop handling in a short space.

General

3 v 2 Reverse Drill Passing - ...

Drill to practice 3 v 2 attacking scenarios.Set up a channel 20m long and 15m wide with cones every 10m along the length (red, yellow, green).Set up 5 lines of players between the first two cones, the two players on each end are the defenders (red), and the three in the middle are attackers (blue).The ball starts with one of the defenders on one side and that player runs forward and throws a long pass to the defender at the other end of line. He then continues his run around the far (green) cone to defend.The defender who has caught the ball puts it down on the middle (yellow) cone and continues his run around the far (green) cone to defend.Once the second defender has put the ball down on the yellow cone the attackers may begin their attack. The player nearest the cone runs to pick up the ball and then they attack the two defenders, trying to score over the line marked by the green cones. PROGRESSION:Start from the opposite side to practice passing in both directions.Reduce the width of the channel to make it harder for the attackers to scoreAdd a defender to come round late and create a 2 v 1 after the 3 v 2

General

2 vs 1 - Decision Making Decis...

Four players per group inside a 10m x 30m Channel. Requires 10 cones and 1 ball. Two players start outside of the grid with two players inside. One of the outside players passes the ball to one of the inside players before both of the outside players (defenders) run through the red gates. The two inside players (attackers) have to try and cross the try line before the defenders can tackle them, if the attackers are too slow they will create a two 2 v 1 situation.

General

Team of 5 v 1 v 1 v 1 v 1 v 1 ...

2 x 20m x 10m Channels 5 Defenders in each channel, spaced 5m apar The attacking team of 5 players must beat each defender in turn by running or passing and score a try once all 5 defenders have been beaten. Defenders are only allowed to move sideways.

General

3 v 2 v 2 Handling - Rugby Dri...

Set up a channel with two sets of defenders working in pairs inside. Three attacking players start with the ball and run around the far cone, realigning as they run around the cone. Players then play out the 3v2. After this first 3v2 the attackers must move the ball quickly and play out the second 3v2.

General

4 vs 1 vs 1 Decision making - ...

Players work in groups of six, with 1 ball per group and set up in the following way: 4 attackers vs 1 defender (between the first cones) and another defender between the second set of cones. Defenders can only move sideways in an attempt to stop the attackers getting through the area.

General

2 vs 1 Decision making - Rugby...

Coach starts with the ball and can throw the ball to either one of the outside players of the 3 players ready to play. The player in the middle always joins the player receiving the ball to play a 2v1 against the the 3rd player who becomes the defender. The attacking players run around the cone nearest to them and the defender runs in the opposite direction. When they meet inside the grid the attacking players must use the extra man to get around the defender - either by passing or taking the man on.  

General

Race to cone - 3 v 2 Decision ...

One ball and 6 cones. 15m x 15m. Setup the practice as shown. The first two players run up to the half way line of the grid and place the ball down before continuing their run to the end of the grid before turning around to defend. The remaining 3 players (attackers) can go as soon as the ball is placed down and then they play a 3 v 2.

General

Join the attack: 2v1 - 3v2 - 5...

With a group of nine, tell two of them they are attackers - for now. The rest will be in defence. Allocate your defenders within the grid, one defender at defenders cone 1, two defenders at defenders cone 2, and three defenders at defenders cone 3. Tell the defenders that they can move side to side, but not forward and back. Also - tell the players on defenders cones 1 and 2, that they will join the attack when they have finished their defensive duties. So after the first 2 v 1, the 1 defender joins the attack to make the next attack 3 v 2, when this attack is over - the two defenders join the attack to make the last attack 5 v 4. Have your demonstration group quickly complete a walk through, then a run through. Now get the other groups working. Don't forget to give the last four defenders a chance in attack.

General

2 vs 1 Gauntlet Decision makin...

Set up two 1m wide gates of cones (green and red) either side of a feeder, with a line of attackers opposite (5m away). Have a number of defenders (3) lined up behind the feeder.The first player passes the ball to the feeder then moves forward and receives a short return pass from the feeder. On receiving the return pass he uses footwork to go through one of the gates with a support player going through the other gate.Once through the gate the ball carrier puts in a fend on the first defender and passes the ball to his support player.They go on to attack the two other defenders and try execute 2 vs 1 scenarios to get to the end of the drill

General

2 vs 1 - 3 vs 2 - 5 vs 4 Decis...

2 players start with the ball and play a 2 vs 1 they then form a 3 to beat the next 2 players whom in turn join the 3 and form a 5 top beat the last 4 defenders to score a try.

General

3 v 2 Fixing Defenders Passing...

This is a backs moves passing exercise, aimed at drawing and fixing up a defender, to give a supporting teammate more space and take the defender out of the play3 attackers line up along one side of the area, 2 defenders stand next to each other on the short side next to the coachOn GO, the defenders run into position and the coach passes to the first attackerThe attacker runs with the ball towards the first defender before passing sideways to their teammateThat player then runs at the second defender and before contact passes across to the spare attacker to run to the other end of the area.

General

3 vs 2 - Sprint to support Dec...

15m x 35m Grid. 1 Attacker starts on the half way line of the grid, with the other two outside of the grid back to back with two defenders. On the command the one attacker runs around the red cone, with the other one running around the blue cone - likewise for the defenders. Once they have run around the cones a 3 vs 2 will develop. If the player with the ball passes immediately this will give a 3 vs 2 in the middle of the pitch.

General

Game - 6 vs 4 Tag Rugby - Rugb...

Pitch is 20m x 20m. All players wearing Tag BeltsStart the game with a free pass, defenders must start behind the half way lineAttacking players must try to run past defenders to score a try. If tagged, the attacker must pass the ball to a team mate. After a tackle, the defenders must give the tag back, stay on their own side of the ball and NOT intercept or obstruct the pass.

General

2 v 2 Box Sevens - Rugby Drill...

Tell your players the following...... Whichever group of 2 is given the ball becomes the attack, and should attack upon receiving the ball. The opposite group of 2 becomes the defence, and should defend right away. The object of the exercise is for the defence to turn the ball, and for the attack to score a try by cross the defences line and touching the ball down. Dropped balls, knocked on, forward passes etc. are illegal and will be consider a point for the defence. Illegal actions by the defence will be consider a point for the attack. Each group of two should keep their own score. When the attack is over, the ball should be returned to the coach for the next phase. Have more than one training area in order to keep your players as active as possible.

General

3 v 2 Positioning Decision mak...

The aim of the drill is to develop handling in a short space.

General

Continuous 3 vs 2 Decision mak...

Set up a grid roughly 7m x 5m with three lines of attackers on one side (blue), and two defenders on the other (red). The aim of the drill is for attackers to execute 3 vs 2 situations and score. The defenders can only move side to side between the red cones.The attackers start with the ball and run towards the try line (red cones). The ball carrier has two options of who to pass to, the near support player or the wide support player. The ball carrier must draw the first defender and then react to the movement of the second defender to decide who to pass to. He passes to his support player who scores. Once the attacker scores he passes the ball to the next set of attackers who attack against the same defenders. The previous attackers get in position for the next repetition.The attack can start from any of the players, it does not have to start at the same side each time.

General

3v2 multiple channel Handling ...

Cones Ball3 channels of different widths are lined up next to eachother3 attackers and 2 defender run around opposing cones before attacking each other. Defenders must put pressure on but be passive as will ruin the drill if they disrupt the play.Running around the corner will encourage the attackers to realign, and adapt to the different space requirements.

General

1v1 Tackle Grid Tackling - Rug...

Small playing area, for 1 v 1 tackling.Players line up in two lines adjacent to the coned area.Coach shouts go and the front two players run round their end to end up facing each other.The coach passes the ball to the attacker who runs at the defender, and the defender tries to take them down.

General

2 v 1 Drawing The Defender Dec...

One attacking team and one defending team.Exercise focused on decision making when in a 2 v 1 situation.Each team lines up either side of the coachOn 'GO' two attackers run round one side of the playing area and one defender runs round the other side. The coach passes to one of the attackers to initiate play.The aim is for the one attacker to reach the end line of the defender's side without being tackled/intercepted by the defender.

General

4v3-realign Tackling - Rugby D...

4 sausages 4 Bags The sausages and bags are lined up alternately in a line.8 defenders start lined up outside of the tackle grid.Whistle goes, the tacklers must shuffle across as a team (in a line) to line up opposite a bag or sausage before making a hit.

General

3 vs 2 - Support Running Match...

3 vs 2 in a grid. Defenders must stay in position to start. Once skills progress defenders can move to try and stop attackers either by intercepting the ball or touch tackling the ball carrier.

General

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3 v 1 ANSWERS
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what are simple drills for touch rugby...to get ready?

what are simple drills for touch rugby...to get ready for the season?

Archived User Coach

We have a new team forming, all of the fowards are novices except for two of us (Prop and Hooker) from a different team helping out. Any drilling advice woud be very appreciated

Ask a question and have it answered by Coaches from around the world and IRB Educators.

Tony Meza Coach, Costa Rica

what drills are there for a 3 v 2 situation?

what drills are there for a 3 v 2 situation?

Archived User Coach

Taking the ball into contact

Several of my players are taking the ball a yard too far into contact and losing possession as a result.Do you have any suggestions or drills that would help to address this? Dave Knights. Hong Kong

Archived User Coach

Does anyone have a really good drill to encourage backs to stay steep?

Does anyone have a really good drill to encourage backs to hold their steepness when attacking - my team of dreams are Under 11's

Archived User Coach

I am looking for Loop pass coaching games to improve?

I am looking for Loop pass coaching games to improve my player game.

Archived User Coach

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