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7s DRILLS
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7v7 Touch Sevens - Rugby Drill...

Tell your players the following... We are playing 7's, normal rules apply - except this is touch. Upon getting touched a player must off-load the ball right away to a supporting attack player. They must stop running. If they do not off-load right away - the ball is turned over to the defence. If they keep running the ball is turned over. Touch is one handed. There are unlimited touches, but in the even of the law being broken e.g. a knock on - the ball will be turned over. The game is to be played at pace. We will have 4 quarters of 4 minutes for this game. Bring you players together for no more than a minute at the end of each quarter to highlight what is going well, what could be better and to agree targets for the next quarter. Ask players, don't just tell.

General

7's Colour Touch Sevens - Rugb...

Tell your players the following..... The attack will remain in attack for 5 minutes, you'll then switch over. Normal rules of sevens apply, but this game will be touch to start with. When the ball carrier is touched, they must set the ball down, another player can then move it from the ground. The touch is considered a ruck. When the coach calls a defenders colour e.g. RED - the two players in defence wearing red drop to the ground and complete 3 press-ups, they can then return to their feet and are back in the game. That's it, play. Keep your player chats brief, but through questioning highlight that the downed players in defence open up space, what do we attack - SPACE!

General

Seven v Three Sevens - Rugby D...

Tell the players the following....... The 7 attackers, will always be in attack. The 3 defenders will always be in defence. Normal rules of 7's apply. Play! Don't forget to change the defenders around.

General

5 Attacks 3 Sevens - Rugby Dri...

Using cones mark out the four corners and the midways points of each side of a 20 x 20 meter training area. Divide your players into groups of 8, and allocate one group of 8 to each training area. Have one coach at each training area, and one ball. Each player should have their own cone to stand on, as shown in the diagram. Have more than one training area in order to keep your players as busy as possible. Tell your players the following...... This will be a 5 v 3 attacking opportunity for the 5 players given the ball. There are 4 players on the midpoint positions, one on each side of the training area. The coach will give the ball to one of those players. The 4 closest players will join the ball carrier in attack, the opposite 3 players will become defenders. The try line is just across the defenders starting line. The defenders operate within the laws of the game and should try to stop the attack by turning the ball, forcing a mistake, or pushing the attack out of the playing area. The attack should aim to score a try, but should play within the laws of the game. When the attack is over the coach will take the ball and players should return to their starting positions for the next attack. Don't forget to give every player the opportunity to play in attack and defence by changing the starting position of the ball.

General

Tackle Challenge Sevens - Rugb...

The exercise stand clockwise, with the first player going from the bottom left cone. The defender must tackle that player to the ground. As soon as that tackle is complete, the attacker quickly clears the area, and the defenders gets to their feet. The next attack goes right away. This pattern repeats, with each new attacker coming forward from a new cone, and then rejoining the back of the line on the opposite side. The idea is for the defender to be tested time after time, in quick succession. The ball carrier can try to evade contact. After 1 minute, change the defender.

General

SHORT - LONG Sevens - Rugby Dr...

The first group of 4 starts at the top of the grid, moving forward. The ball should be with the outside player, who makes a short pass in to his supporting runner, who then makes a long pass to the next receiver in the other short passing box, they will then make a short pass to the last receiver. The players realign and do the same again in the opposite direction. When they get to the end of the grid, they go around the cones to their starting position, while the next group goes. They should change position in the line, and when ready, they start again.

General

Decision Making Sevens - Rugby...

Tell the players the following..... The players at the bottom of the triangle will pass the ball back and forward. The passer in the middle must not only complete the pass, but should keep their head up and call out the colour of the cone that is being held up for their attention. Don't forget to change the players around to allow everyone a chance to do everything.

General

Tackle Box Sevens - Rugby Dril...

The exercise is simple, the attacker has 2 minutes to score as many tries as they can. They do this by attacking the space between 2 sets of cones, but there is a defender they need to avoid. When it is clear which area the attacking is going to attack, that defender can advance. This is a full contact exercise. If the attackers scores, they return to the center of the grid to attack again. They cannot attack the same defender twice. If the attack fails, they reset and have another go. After 1/2 minutes, switch the attacker. This is a competition, so keep score.

General

Broken Defence Sevens - Rugby ...

Tell your players the following..... The attacking group will wait at the top of the training area until the coach calls the number of defenders. On the call of 1, 2 or 3 - they should attack - aiming to score a try at the opposite end of the grid. The defenders will go in the numbers called. If the coach calls 1, then defender 1 goes - the rest do not. If the coach calls 2, then defenders 1 and 2 go, and if the coach calls 3 - then all 3 defenders go. Defenders who are called can move forward and back, left and right. That's it, lets go. You will need to decide if this is a contact exercise or not. Don't forget to change the defenders.

General

Off-Loading Box Sevens - Rugby...

Tell your players the following...... The defender must make a tackle. The primary ball carrier must take the ball into contact and try to off-load the ball. The support player should take the ball and score a try. The players rotate rolls following each contact.

General

Seven In Touch Sevens - Rugby ...

The following are the laws for this game: Equal number of defenders and attackers. Normal laws of sevens rugby apply; a knock on etc. results in a turn over. The attacking team gets 8 touches before the ball has to be turned over. Change this to suit your training goals. When an attacker is touched they: stop running, turn and present the ball to a support player who waits for the entire defence to gather in around the defender that made the touch. Following a touch all defenders must gather in and be connected by touching another defender. Only when the support player passes the ball out can the defence restart the game. If the defence goes offside or operates illegally, the attack gains 10 meters. If the defence does not get in quickly, the attack can gain 10 meters. Judge this depending on your player's fitness. There is no kicking.

General

Wide Attack Sevens - Rugby Dri...

Start with the left most attacking unit taking on the 2 defenders in front of them. When they get past, they pass the ball to the link, who then passes to the opposite attacking unit, who then take on the first 2 defenders. When they get past, they pass the ball out to the link, who passes the ball to the opposite attacking unit, who should now be ready to take on the next two defenders. And so the exercise continues up the pitch. Don't forget to change the attackers and defenders after each completed run up the pitch. The attack should finish by scoring a try!

General

7's Fitness Handling Sevens - ...

Tell them the following...... The ball carrier will run forward with the ball, their partner will go with them in support. The ball carrier will pass the ball to the supporting player, who is moving forward. The new ball carrier will now pass the ball to the first receiver in the next group of two, who should be chasing - but no too close. And so the exercise continues, with each set of two support the last set of two. The challenge is, as well as good passing, is that the players should be around the 5 meter boxes and sprint back their starting position in order to keep the ball moving without stopping. Remind the players that this must be done at pace.

General

Footspeed Sevens - Rugby Drill...

Tell your players the following...... One group of 3 will be on the bottom right cones, the attack - they should have a ball each. The other group of 3 will be on the bottom left, starting at the furthest away cone - they will be the defence. On the coaches call, the first attacker (with ball) will run to the opposite end of the grid, in order to score a try. At the same time a defender will leave the last cone and will try to touch or tackle them. When all attackers have made it, the defence will move close (up one cone). The exercise continues forcing the attack to move at greater speed. Don't forget to change the attackers and defenders.

General

The Team Run Sevens - Rugby Dr...

Use half or a full pitch for this exercise. A full team of 7 will run unopposed. Players should use this as a rehearsal of everything that might happen in the game, and therefore should execute all of the following..... Line-outs, and what happen after them. Scrums, and what happens next. All moves. The full attacking patterns. Any kicking strategies, including restarts. When you feel the players are ready, bring in opposition with pads, and then without in full contact.

General

Hit & Defend Sevens - Rugby Dr...

Tell your players the following..... The defence will first turn and hit the pads. When the attack hears the hit - they can attack. The defenders must turn and defend. When the attack is complete, the attackers become the players on the pads, the players on the pads become the defence, and the defenders will be the new attack. The attack should try to score a try at the other end of the grid.

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

Keep Passing Sevens - Rugby Dr...

Tell your players the following..... 3 players start on the right cones. The remaining 3 players will be running, they start at the top of the grid. The runner take the first ball off the player standing at the first cone, they pass it down the line while advancing to the second cone. At the same time the player on the cone, who passed the first ball, runs to the second cone on a loop to retake the ball. They remain at that cone for the runners to return. The same thing happens at the second and third cones. When the attack gets to the bottom of the grid, and they have finished all 3 lateral passing tasks - they turn and go again. Change the runners and players on the cones when you're ready.

General

Five In, Two Out Touch Sevens ...

Give the ball to the attacking team and tell your players the following....... This is touch 7's, other than that - normal rules of 7's apply. If touched with the ball: the ball carrier stops, 5 of the defenders must be within touching distance of the ball carrier - only 2 can stay out, and this must happen within 3 seconds. When the attack is happy that the defence has moved in - they can then move the ball away from the contact area - and the game restarts. There is no limit on the number of touches. That's it, lets play! Don't forget to give the defence and attack equal time on the ball. This game must be played at pace, so the defence is going to have to work hard!

General

L-Shaped Passing Sevens - Rugb...

Lets get the ball and the players moving with lateral passing through the hands. Each training area only needs one ball, and that ball should start with the any of the two players at the very ends of the L. Tell players to move forward, passing the ball down the line. When the ball gets to the last receiver, that player will pass it to the first receiver in the next line that is waiting to go. They should advance right away. Allow the players to simply move the ball down the line.

General

SH Passing Reps Sevens - Rugby...

The sequence of passing on this exercise is as following...... P2 passes to P1, who passes to P4 using a pass from the ground. As the same time P3 passes to P2 who passes to P1, who passes to P3, from the ground. and so the exercise continues. There should be no delay in passes.

General

Keep Going 3/2 Sevens - Rugby ...

Tell the players the following..... The attackers will start at the base of the grid and attack the first box. The 2 defenders in that box, should defend within their box only. The attack should keep going, entering the second box, and beat the 2 defenders in that box. The attack will then turn and make their way down the grid, and repeat - until stopped by the coach.

General

Pass and Support Sevens - Rugb...

Give each training area one ball and tell the players the following...... Lets just get the ball moving down the line. Give the player at the start of one of the lines a ball, tell the line to advnce using laterial passing - with the last player in each line passing the ball to the first player in the opposite line. After some time (your call on how long this should be). Tell the players that, with the exception of the first player in each line, every reciever will not be able to pass the ball until touched on the shoulder by the player that passed them the ball. Every passer must follow their pass, touching the reciever on the shoulder to release the next pass. After the supporting player has made their touch, and the ball has been passed, they should return to their original channel. Players should change positions in the line following each attack.

General

Attack/Defend Sevens - Rugby D...

Tell your players the following...... Players will standing at the midway point of the playing area. Tell each team which direction they are playing. Set the ball on the ground in front of the players. If you call 1 then team one is in attack and they should pick the ball up, if you should 2 then team 2 is in attack and they should pick the ball up. The non attacking team is in defence. Normal rules of sevens apply. However, before each team can start their attack/defence, they must all run to their own try line and back. When the attack is over, all players return to the midway point to start again. That's it, lets play! Make sure that you give both teams a chance to attack and defend.

General

Attacking Skills version 2 Sev...

Tell your players the following...... Players will attack in teams of 3, each attacking unit will have their own ball. At the pads, the ball carrier must hit and roll or hit and spin or sidestep. They will then face 3 v 2 situations following each pad. Their objective is to get to the other side, without making a mistake, and score a try! The following group of 3 can go when they feel there is a reasonable gap between the attacking units. Don't forget to change your players about.

General

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7s SESSIONS
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Sevens - Options in the Attack

3 simple options to improve your players' decision-making in the attack and get them past opponents gain line!

Sevens Rugby: Options in the Attack - Greater Pace

Give your players three simple options to improve their decision-making in the attack and get them past the opposition's gain line!
7s ANSWERS
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I have taken on an under 7s team - any ideas of what to do?

I have taken on an under 7s team - any ideas of what I could do in the first session with kids whose first time it is with a rugby ball?

Archived User Coach

With the huge succes of rugby 7s in the last years?

With the huge succes of rugby 7s in the last years I start to wonder if there are special rugby 7s coaching courses? Thank you.

Archived User Coach

what should the team layout be for under 9s should?

what should the team layout be for under 9s should it be 4 forwards 5 backs and should we play like 7s

Archived User Coach

By any chance do you have excercises for Rugby 7s ?

By any chance do you have excercises for Rugby 7s ?

Archived User Coach

more fun warm up drills for under 7s tag

more fun warm up drills for under 7s tag

Archived User Coach

Is there a 7s training guide?

I enjoyed the coaching guide created for 15s that contained practice schedules and progressive training... is there one available for 7s team training as well?

Kevin Raymond Coach, United States of America

RFU - proposed Mini's rule changes

RFU - proposed Mini's rule changes%3A All - just a quick straw poll%3A Have any CLUBS that you are aware of officially come out in SUPPORT of these changes? If not, have they come out officially rejecting the proposed changes, or are they adopting a "wait and see" attitude? Regards Stephe

Archived User Coach

How do I coach women the game of rugby?

I just finished my collegiate rugby career. I feel inspired I would love to coach rugby to women in countries that have a lower popularity of women's rugby. How do I get started?

Archived User Coach

problem- slow start at 7s games

I coach a womans 7s team. Every two weeks we have a two game tournament. The problem is that for the whole first game the girls play like they haven't woken up yet, and only in the second game their real rugby comes out. How do I help them play strong from the start?

eli Coach, Israel

Can I and should I coach basic tackle skills to U8s?

Does anyone have a definitive answer to this question%3A can I coach basic tackling skills to U8s now, in preparation for next season, without falling foul of any RFU rules or regulations? Hugo

Hugo Norton-Taylor Coach, England

Can you put 5 players into a scrum in a 7 a side game?

Can you put 5 players into a scrum in a 7 a side game?

Archived User Coach

Not playing hard at the start of game - how to improve my team's start?

Our H.S. boys are flat at the beginning of the game and seem to take 10 minutes to start playing efficiently. We have tried various pregame warmups to correct this but to no avail. I look forward to your suggestions as to the best way to correct this issue.

Larry Berriochoa Coach, United States of America

U7 and u8s tag rugby with low numbers

I coach under 7s and under 8s tag rugby and we often get low numbers at training as low as 2 or 3 any ideas for games for them to play that is related to skills without having to cancel a session. Asked using Sportplan Mobile App

James Gallagher Coach, England

What code of Rugby is this

Is this Rugby Union or Rugby Leage

Kerry Bianchi Coach, Australia

What Rugby 7s pathways are open for 18yr+ players?

I know of players who are very competent XV-a-side players, but who have ben told they do not have the size needed to break through into the higher levels. In many cases, they do have a broad range of multi-skills, speed and fitness (learnt from having to overcome) that I think would lend well into 7s....but I'm not sure how older players are being identified in the UK. Any thoughts?

Hadon Westerby Coach, England

Regarding attacking plan for u/9

I would like to know what to do so that my u/9 team can attack better.

Golden Ducks Coach, United Kingdom

With the huge succes of rugby ...

With the huge succes of rugby 7s in the last years I start to wonder if there are special rugby 7s coaching courses? Thank you.

Archived User Coach

In 7's rugby, what is the best...

In 7's rugby, what is the best way to bind in the scrum? Is it the same at 15's, I've seen props bind onto one another then the hooker sits in the middle but slightly back from the props. What is the advantage of doing this?

Archived User Coach

By any chance do you have exce...

By any chance do you have excercises for Rugby 7s ?

Archived User Coach

What Rugby 7s pathways are ope...

I know of players who are very competent XV-a-side players, but who have ben told they do not have the size needed to break through into the higher levels. In many cases, they do have a broad range of multi-skills, speed and fitness (learnt from having to overcome) that I think would lend well into 7s....but I'm not sure how older players are being identified in the UK. Any thoughts?

Hadon Westerby Coach, England
7s COMMUNITY DRILLS
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Skill 3 : 7s passes

U7s - Warm Up Drill 1

Ruck lateral 7s

7s

7s

Four hand touch

Ataque 7s desde lateral

7s attacking move backs

7s side sscrum run

7s wide escape r/p

Quick-up 7s

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