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break down DRILLS
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Attack from Turnover

2 Teams Ball Tackle Bags 3 Tackle bags are in a break down formation. With one player from the other team opposite them. The tackle bag team is lined up as if they are about to attack. The non tackle bag team must line up as if they are defending. The ball is rolled in the player with no tackle bag on the opposite team must get the ball away from the break down as quickly as possible with the tackle bags putting lots of pressure on. The non takcle bag team then must re-align as quickly as possible aiming to score from the turn over ball.

Match Related

Conditioned Game - Breakdown Technique.

30 + players - Teams of 10/13 Bibs Balls 1. Shoulders on - low intensity Shoulders on contact game on half a pitch, contiton is on the tackler. Tackler must perform a down up after shoulder on contact, immediatly after he/she needs to get into a good body postion to compete at the break down. Attacking team must put 2 people into the breakdown to prevetn threat stealing the ball. 3 teams are working in rotation, to ensure the working team is always active. 2. Same game - increaced intensity (now the defender can steal the ball if can get to it) Attcking team must show urgency to remove the threat at the break down. Defending team must adjust and maintain good body postition at the breakdown.

Contact Skills

Continuous Passing Square 2

Set up a square of cones, and get the players to form equal lines behind each cone. The ball starts in the hands of a player behind cone 1, who runs (black running line) towards cone 2, passes the ball to the player behind cone 2 who passes the ball back to the first player. The first player then runs towards cone 3 and passes the ball to the player standing behind cone 3. The player who passed the ball from behind cone 2 runs (blue running line) following the run of the first player and receives a pass from the player behind cone 3 before running towards cone 4 and passing the ball to the player behind cone 4. The player who passed the ball from behind cone 3 runs (yellow running line) following the run of the second player and receives a pass from the player behind cone 4 before running towards cone 1 and passing the ball to the player behind cone 1. The player who passed the ball from behind cone 4 runs (red running line) following the run and receives a pass from the player behind cone 1 before running towards cone 2 and passing the ball to the player behind cone 2. The player who passed the ball from behind cone 1 runs (black running line) following the run and receives a pass from the player behind cone 2 before running towards cone 3 and passing the ball to the player behind cone 3, and the drill continues. Change the direction which the ball is going. Progressions: Get the players to change direction on your command (shout/whistle etc) Multiple balls As a group must complete 10 successful passes before the session can move on, every time a ball is dropped the whole group does an exercise (e.g. 10 press ups).

Passing

Short Side Defence

This is a quick drill to prime your players in your defence organisation on the short side and its an opportunity to ingrain you defence principles The aim of the drill is to develop your teams good habits in defending the short side whilst changing the attack picture continuously After each set, player reset Set 4 cones up in a square 1m apart 15m from the touch line, this will mark the break down Defending players line up on the far side of the ‘ruck’ and these players will be players who will ‘fold’ on the coaches call 3 or 4 players will act as attacking players 2 other defending players are positioned 5 meters back from the gain line and on the touch line. These players need to connect with the players folding around the ruck

Agility & Running Skills

Support play touch

Develop speed to break down and attacking skills. When the player was touched, laid down and presents properly (turnover if it is not done properly) Next play clears (Low and in a strong position). Third player is the 9. The team that will win is a team that can get the player over and the 9 there are the quickest. Develop anticipation of when players are going to tackled. Any player that touches an attacker must go on their stomach before returning to the game. 40 m x 40 m area, a decided ideal. The team that scores keep hold of the ball and attack the other way.

School

Tackle, Bounce, Compete

Sausage Cones After you have completed the bounce motion, you can bounce and fire. Fire - is by any means effect there breakdown and slow the ball down - when you realise you cant steal the ball. Jackal - stay on and win the ball over the break down. Players line up on the cones the first play makes a tackle on the sausage get s up and becomes the defender. (jackal) the second player listens to the coloured cone the coach shouts and goes around that cone before trying to clear the (jackaler) The jackaler makes the decion to Jackle or Fire through the break down depending on the speed of the arriving defender.

Contact Skills

Tackle, Bounce, Jackal, Fire Drill

4 players + cones ball. Cones laid out on 5m chanel other 10 chanel. 3 Players line up passing ball up and down the line, when coach says now they pass it to the player stood opposite in the 5m chanel. The player then attacks down the 5m chanel. The player opposite makes a chop tackle, bounces and competes. for the ball. (Tackler becomes clearer). The 2 other players then try to clear the player off the ball. Decinign whether to fire or steal ball depedning of spped of clearer off the floor.

Contact Skills

Tackle, Support, Hands

Description 3 Sausages Ball Players work in 4s. A ball is balance donator of the sausage. The first player does a low chop tackle on the sausage. The second supporting player must try catch the ball before hitting the floor. Then pass the ball down the line to supporting players.

Handling

Breakdown Touch Game Match Rel...

Set up an area for a normal game of touch, with teams split evenlyPlay goes as normal, but when there is a touch, the ball carrier goes to ground and presents the ballThe player that made the touch then gets to the floor in a press up position, as does a second attackerWhen both are down, they contest at the breakdownPlay carries on with the same team that were in possession

General

Running Lines and Breakdown Co...

<li dir=&quot;ltr&quot;>A coach or scrum half feeds a ball carrier who should be running onto the ball.<li dir=&quot;ltr&quot;>The ball carrier should run towards the tackle sausage and use footwork and a hand off to move past the tackle sausage towards the first two tackle bags.<li dir=&quot;ltr&quot;>The player should aim to hit the gap between the two tackle bags and power beyond the contact.<li dir=&quot;ltr&quot;>Those two players then drop the bags and follow the original runner in support.<li dir=&quot;ltr&quot;>The ball carrier then hits the bag, goes to ground and looks to lift the ball up to one of his support players. <li dir=&quot;ltr&quot;>The next player then hits the last tackle bag, goes to ground and presents the ball.<li dir=&quot;ltr&quot;>The next support player clears away the bag to secure the ball.This drill works on a number of skills (running onto the ball, hand off, footwork and hitting gaps, communication and support, clearing out a ruck) in continuity which means its more game realistic and trains players to not only perform the individual skills, but also to be thinking about how the skills link together and what their next job is.

General

Breakdown Touch Contact Skills...

2 teams. Half pitch Ball - A normal game of touch, however with conditions. - When a touch is mae the attakcer must go down and complete a long placement.- The toucher must run and touch own tryline before continuing play. -A Second attacker must come over in a short period of time and secure the ball. - If a defneder manages to gewt to the ball before a attacking player secures it, it is a turnover.-Then play away.

General

Breakdown Technical Work Ruck ...

tackle sausage Place 2 sausages perpendicular from eachother in a T shape. Have one player line up a couple meters away from the bag. Conditioning drill, the player does reps of clearing the bag, running back to the line, doing a down up and going again.

General

Conditioned Game - Breakdown T...

30 + players - Teams of 10/13Bibs Balls 1. Shoulders on - low intensityShoulders on contact game on half a pitch, contiton is on the tackler. Tackler must perform a down up after shoulder on contact, immediatly after he/she needs to get into a good body postion to compete at the break down. Attacking team must put 2 people into the breakdown to prevetn threat stealing the ball. 3 teams are working in rotation, to ensure the working team is always active. 2. Same game - increaced intensity (now the defender can steal the ball if can get to it) Attcking team must show urgency to remove the threat at the break down. Defending team must adjust and maintain good body postition at the breakdown.

General

Technical work at the breakdow...

Players start face down, on the coach's whistle players get to their feet to contest the contact area. Red player 1 and the blue player should be closer to the ball so that they reach it quicker and present a target to be cleared away by the supporting red defender. As the second red player reaches the ruck they should bind with their team mate to contest the ball, with the aim of disrupting the ball.

General

1 on 1 Breakdown Skills Ruck -...

Fun game 1 v 1 game to improve skills on both sides of the breakdown.One player lies face down either side of a tackle tube (players in 'head to toe' position).The coach stands at the end of the tube with the ball and taps it on the back of one of the players. That player is then 'in possession' of the ball and the ball is on the ground on one side of and against the tackle tube.Players then face off from each side of the tackle tube.

General

Attack from Turnover Match Rel...

2 Teams Ball Tackle Bags 3 Tackle bags are in a break down formation. With one player from the other team opposite them. The tackle bag team is lined up as if they are about to attack. The non tackle bag team must line up as if they are defending.The ball is rolled in the player with no tackle bag on the opposite team must get the ball away from the break down as quickly as possible with the tackle bags putting lots of pressure on. The non takcle bag team then must re-align as quickly as possible aiming to score from the turn over ball.

General

Tackle, Bounce, Compete Ruck -...

Sausage ConesAfter you have completed the bounce motion, you can bounce and fire. Fire - is by any means effect there breakdown and slow the ball down - when you realise you cant steal the ball. Jackal - stay on and win the ball over the break down. Players line up on the cones the first play makes a tackle on the sausage get s up and becomes the defender. (jackal)the second player listens to the coloured cone the coach shouts and goes around that cone before trying to clear the (jackaler) The jackaler makes the decion to Jackle or Fire through the break down depending on the speed of the arriving defender.

General

Clear out drill basics Ruck Cl...

Groups of 3+ Bag Sausage2 player starts on his chest infront of the sausage, another player lines up opposite.When whistle is blown, the first player makes a chop tackle on the bag and rolls out the way. The second defender then then spider carwls over the sausage and clears the incoming bag holder.

General

Smash or roll Contact Skills -...

1. Crocodile roll Crocodile roll is one technique to repmove threats from a breakdown.Most useful for smaller players to move larger ones. Require control, power, accuracy.Identify if croc roll is the right technique to use. Target the defenders upperback/lower neck region. Initate the clear out by big shoulder contact into that area, set feet wide, then bearhug the defender Use momentum and rotate hips downwards, maintain strong grip and roll palyer off the ball. Finish movement on top of player and compete for ball. 2. Smash If player is slow to attack ball smash may be the best option.Here clear the defender out the way and remove the threat using normal rucking technique.

General

Drop Out Touch Warm Up - Rugby...

Two teamsAttacking and defensive focusNormal game of touch rugby, however whenever the defender touches an attacker, they must run back to their own try line and stay out the game until the play breaks downAttacking team look to identify the space created from defensive drop outWorking on defensive communication and work rate

General

Tackle, Bounce, Jackal, Fire D...

4 players + cones ball. Cones laid out on 5m chanel other 10 chanel. 3 Players line up passing ball up and down the line, when coach says now they pass it to the player stood opposite in the 5m chanel. The player then attacks down the 5m chanel. The player opposite makes a chop tackle, bounces and competes. for the ball. (Tackler becomes clearer).The 2 other players then try to clear the player off the ball. Decinign whether to fire or steal ball depedning of spped of clearer off the floor.

General

Contact Skills Circuit Ruck Cl...

Groups of 2BagsBallsContact conditioning 1. Body height clear out workIn there groups, do contact hits on each shoulder. Stand 2m apart and take turns doing hits against bag2. Crocodile roleOne player lies on top of a tackle sausage (long way round), the group of 4 take turns swapping roles of being tackled and tackler. Focus is the crocodile role.3. Clear out.One player stands over the top of tackle bag competing for the ball. Other player arrives from 2m away to clear out the player, to prevent the threat of stealing the ball.3. Bounce and competePlayers lay either side of the a ball. When whistle goes, both players bounce off the floor, one competes for the ball while the other focuses on clear out or crocodile role.Do 3 sets of 2mins. Repetitive drill.

General

Running Lines To Break The Gai...

This drill coaches players the lines they should run when receiving the ball in order to maximise the chance of them breaking the gain line.<li dir=&quot;ltr&quot;>Use a tackle bag to simulate where the ruck and offside line would be.<li dir=&quot;ltr&quot;>The players line up as if they were going to come &quot;around the corner&quot; to receive the ball.<li dir=&quot;ltr&quot;>Players should run an L shaped running line to get across the first defender and then footwork to get through the second defender.Progression (0.49) - Add an extra pass to the drill<li dir=&quot;ltr&quot;>For the first receiver the drill is exactly the same in terms of the running line.<li dir=&quot;ltr&quot;>Then there is a second player on his outside shoulder who uses the same running line to beat the second defender.<li dir=&quot;ltr&quot;>The first receiver has a choice (1.19) - whether to go through the gain line and pass or pass before he gets to the gainline.What is the gain line?The gain line is an imaginary line in rugby parallel to the halfway line that is the back foot of the breakdown or the defences offsideline.

General

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break down SESSIONS
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Decision Making and Handling

Time waits for no man, so use this easy to set up attacking session to get your players thinking on their feet and playing fast, quick-thinking and intelligent rugby

Ruck to Success: Improving spe...

Improve your players' speed and drive at the breakdown to help them win the contest with this powerful ruck skills session
break down ANSWERS
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Tips on breaking through a def...

Hi my name is Mac and i am a 8 man and i struggle to push through a defensive line when i have the ball due to how my coaches make us practice so i wanted to know tips on how to push/break through a defensive line when i have the ball.

Mac Coach, United States of America

How to run a swerve

I want to break down the running of a swerve into component parts so these can be coached. eg if you are swerving to the right, i read that the right leg should cross over the left so you naturally start falling to the right.Can you help?

Archived User Coach

Improving game awareness. How can I improve players?

Improving game awareness. How can I improve players insight into "what happens next", besides by whatching (games)? Players tend to be fixed on the ball(situation) and seldom look at what is in front of them%3A how can I stimulated them to take time to quickly look around and assess the situation?

Yvonne Bouman Coach, Netherlands

I am putting together a skills matrix of suggested/expected age specific skills

I am putting together a skills matrix of suggested/expected skills a child should have as they progress through the Continuum. eg, by under 7 a player should be able to do ABC, by under 8 they should be able to do DEF, by under 9 they should be able to do XYZ, etc. I want to break this down into novice, core and advanced, as well as positional (as they get older) Does anyone know of a format that exists like this already somewhere?

Archived User Coach

Scoring tries - habit?

Why is it important to get players to score the try when completing a handling/running drill?

Archived User Coach

is a player deemed of their feet at a ruck when both?

is a player deemed of their feet at a ruck when both hands and feet are in contact with floor (basically in a press up position)

Archived User Coach

I'm working with kids aged 10 and 11. A major problem?

I'm working with kids aged 10 and 11. A major problem is getting them to have some sense of position on the pitch. In other words how do I stop them all running after the ball.e

Cameron Taylor Coach, Scotland

First time coaching U9 and U10s - anyone got any backline coaching tips?

Hi im a first time coach and is still getting the hang of how the technical details of the game works the back line is my department and whould like any help i can get to know what drills to do and anything helpfull in the backline im currently coaching for the under 9 and 10

Archived User Coach

U9s swarming around the ball

We coach U9s and one of the biggest problems is that they all swarm around the ball like bees around honey. We are repeatedly trying to explain the value of not doing this and use of space but to no avail. What coaching techniques can we introduce to get the kids to spread out and not all commit to the breakdown?

Damien Coach, Ireland

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

struggle with the tackle during games

what to do?when on the field players struggle to make tackles, but when we use the junior bag they go in hard and tackle like animals.any drills to help us please?my group is under 9s

JOHAN BRENKMAN Coach, Namibia

men to men defence drill

i want the key ponts of men to men drill

serapelontaopane Coach, South Africa

Coaching the Tackle for U9s wh...

Some of my U9s players, who are experiencing contact for their first season, are showing reticence in tackling - how do you coach or get through the fear factor/element?

Archived User Coach

Openside flanker position afte...

My coach has put me at openside flanker and I'm confused of where i should be after the scrum. Should I be attacking the opposing scrum half or just trailing behind the backs waiting to clean up/ form a ruck? It would be great to know what I'm doing !

Archived User Coach

Is anchoring at the breakdown ...

At the breakdown is blue ball carrier gets tackled going to ground. The next blue player arrives and crouches over the ball and anchors onto the tackled player. Is this legal? It is assumed that he's not off his feet etc which is a separate offence

Archived User Coach

My U11's are a mixed bunch whe...

My U11's are a mixed bunch when it comes to tackling. Some very good, most OK, some ...hmmmm... enough said. Been through all the drills and when we break things down, go back to basics, everything appears OK, but it doesn't always transfer into the game. Any ideas on small group games that will allow me to combine technique with confidence?

Archived User Coach

Under 9`s rugby, fear of tackl...

I coach under 9`s rugby and a lot of the kids have a bad fear of tackling, they lack the confidence to get stuck in. What is the best thing to help them overcome this?

Archived User Coach

Jackel at breakdown and ruck |...

Lòoking for tips on jackling at breakdown ruck Asked using Sportplan Mobile App

billy beggs Coach, New Zealand

U10s organisation in defence. ...

I have started an under 10s team up, and I would say about 8 from the 13 children I have , did not play rugby until about 6 months ago. Of these players, there seems to be a lot of potential, as we are scoring tries against teams, that very rarely concede tries.the problem I got with them, is that we are very poor at organising our selves in defense when the opposition has the ball, which does result in us conceding quite a few tries. We have some very good tacklers in the team. Can anyone offer some ideas on how I can get them to organise themselves? Thanks . Chris.

christopher jenkins Coach, Wales

First time coaching the U13s n...

I have just started helping our head coach with under12's team. He wants to retire and has put me forward to be head coach next season. I am a little worried on how i should aproach training with the boys, going to a full 15 a side team on a full pitch. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

Archived User Coach

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