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Rugby: depth

depth DRILLS
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3 vs 2 - Sprint to support

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.

Decision making

3 vs 2 - Support Running

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.

Decision making

4 vs 1 vs 1

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.

Decision making

Bunch

Groups of 6 1 ball per group 4 attackers v 2 defenders holding a tag belt and working laterally.

Decision making

Diamond Geezer

In fours players are moving up a channel. The support runner (blue player in the animation) calls themselves into the line, receives a pass, offloads and repeats down the second channel. Ideally you would like your players to form a diamond: a ball carrier, support running left, support running right, and a support runner behind who can come onto the ball at any angle. When the first group leaves the first channel, the second group should begin. That way there will always be activity. Players should change their positions in the diamond.

Agility & Running Skills

Heads up Passing

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 advance using lateral passing - with the last player in each line passing the ball to the first player in the opposite line. Players should change positions in the line following each attack. Focus on the coaching points - the drill is only a means to an end. No spin passing. When you feel that the players are executing the short pass to your satisfaction - add in more pressure by have two opposite lines run at once. Once the teams have master that - lets get all four units running at one. The firt two groups go, when they each the mid-way point - the second two groups go. This will mean that all four gourps will be working at one. The groups keep moving unit you tell them to stop. Devlop this by alowing players to attack and be creative in their attack e.g. loop, M1, etc. There will be lots of traffic, they need to stay on their toes and work hard to keep the attack and the ball alive.

Passing

Organisation

Groups of three 1 ball per group Defender can choose any line as a start point. On the word GO, 2 attackers attempt to score a try (1 point) by handling and evasion skills

Decision making

Race to cone - 3 v 2

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.

Decision making

Running from Depth

No of players: 4 per grid, max. 20. Balls per group: 1.Markers: 4Grid size: 10x10.4 players line up behind each other. Front player holds ball. On front players' command the other players fan out to receive a pass. Support players must get onto a straight running line.Last player scores a try.

Agility & Running Skills

Split with Trailer

Tell your players the following...... Player A passes to D and cuts - not getting ball back , but holding up - B cuts and receives the ball off D, then turns it back inside to C, who passes to A to score out wide on Right. Players change position after each attack, the static player will be a runner in the next attack.

Passing

Depth and Quick Hands Handling...

Highlights the importance of attacking from depth and letting the ball do the work in attack.Team of four attackers versus three defenders.The teams line up opposite each other face to face.On the shout of GO, each team retreats a few yards and the ball is passed to the nearest attacking player.The attackers then quickly pass the ball along to the next teammate in the line as they step up.The defenders try to get close down the attackers.

General

Game To Coach Depth Sevens - R...

Four attackers, two defenders in quite a small playing area - trying to find space.The aim is for each team of four to try to score as many 'tries' as they can consecutively. Failure to score means the team of four changes over to the next team.Touch rugby game play.Attacking four players are aiming to touch the ball down on an end line.Defenders are aiming to touch the attackers.

General

Depth, Fitness, Warming Up War...

This exercise is all about getting deep lines of support, speed onto the ball, warming up the entire body, and getting fit for rugby - in this one we're doing lots and achieving more than your players may realize. Using cones, mark out a box - size depends on your coaching goals. Have 4 passing units, 1 on each side of the box. Decide on the numbers that you would like in each unit, depends on the number of players at training and your goals for the training session. Give the first player in one of the units a ball, and the last player in the opposite facing unit a ball. The ball carrier starts on their feet, but the rest of the unit starts laying down on the ground. They can only get up to receive the ball when the ball carrier (who will be passing the ball to them) has advanced 1 meter. When the ball gets to the end of the line, the last receiver passes to the first receiver in the line closest to them. The units that have just finished should quickly change place to that the first runner is different each time, they should set and get ready to go again. Keep the action going.

General

Realignment & Depth - 5 v 4 Ba...

The realignment and depth hands drill is a quick drill to focus the players in sharpening their alignment and depth before a session. You can spend as long or as short on this drill as you need. The aim of the drill is to develop the speed at which players realign themselves, to support their early hand-catch, quick and accurate transfer of the ball to a support player.Set a 5 cones 1.5 meter apart in straight line. This will mark where the players will start the drill fromSet 4 cones at a diagonal in line with the starting cones from one edge. This will be the cones that the defending players need to retreat to before coming up to pressure the attacking players.The first attacking player needs to step back 1 meter and will receive the ball from the first defending player who has also stepped back 1 meter to his designated coneDivide the group into 4 attacking player and 5 defending players, there should be a free attacking playerThe ball starts with the defending playerOn the coaches call, all defending players need to work back to their designated cone and then come forward in a straight line to their opposite attacking playerThe attacking players set their own depth to ensure they have time to catch and pass effectivelyOn the coaches call, the first defending player will move back to their cone, once they get to the cone they pass the ball to the first attacking player, and then the first defending player tries to put pressure on the first attacking playerThe attacking players try to get the ball to the 5th player without being ‘touched’ by a defending player

General

Rugby: Turnover ball - Creatin...

5 players in a group, line up within touching distance of one another, facing the coach who has a ball in his hand.The coach then calls "turnover" and the Players quickly get width, but are not allowed to work backwards to get depth.Once the players get depth the coach lets the first man off the mark by popping the ball in the air, as it is popped he moves off the mark and accelerates onto the ball and moves forward.

General

Running from Depth Agility & R...

No of players: 4 per grid, max. 20.<br> Balls per group: 1.<br>Markers: 4<br>Grid size: 10x10.<br><br>4 players line up behind each other. Front player holds ball. On front players&apos; command the other players fan out to receive a pass. Support players must get onto a straight running line.<br>Last player scores a try.

General

Quick Passing To Space Sevens ...

Give each training area one ball and tell the players the following...... One of the attacking lines takes the ball. They simply attack, moving the ball through the hands - lateral passing only. The defenders (there will be three), mark the first three attacks, they leave the forth free. Defenders can move up and down, left and right, but must leave channel 4 open. Defender start 10 meters back. The ball must go through all four attacking hands. Don't forget to switch the attackers and defenders.

General

Rugby: Positioning, passing an...

5 players in a group line up within touching distance of one another, and stand facing the coach who has a ball in his hand. The coach then calls turnover and the Players quickly get width, but are not allowed to work backwards to get depth. Once the players get depth the coach lets the first man off the mark by popping the ball in the air, as it is popped he moves off the mark and accelerates onto the ball and forward.

General

Fixing Defender Progression Pa...

Groups 10+ Balls Cones Sausages.1. Chanel Fix Groups of 5. Attack sausages lined up one behind eachother. They must use footwork to step to a side of the sausage and then give a pass before running into/past it.2. Passing Grid - Static Defenders Normal 3 man passing grid, however with sausages placed in the middle.Players run forward use footwork to beat the bag and give the pass back inside. (pass before the sausage).3. Passing Grid - Moving defenders. Same as above but instead of sausages, use moving defenders with bags.4. Passing Grid - Starting on corners.Groups of 4 start on each corner with 2 defenders in the middle. The attacking line must get around the corner and square up to beat the 2 defenders. At other end give to next group and start again. Continuous. 5. Final Game Groups of 3 on all sides of the grid, with 2 defenders in the middle.Continuous drill to score as many tries as possibel in 1 min. Focus on all skills above.

General

Quick hand and quick positioni...

4 players work together in a 6x6m grid. Players attack each line of the square, from the inside. Once they get to the 4th man they move onto the next closest line to the ball carrier. All the players in support must get into a good position to receive the ball deep and work onto the ball straight towards the line. Players keep going until they finish the last line of the grid.

General

2 on 1 Attack and Defence Dril...

Set a narrow grid to attack. Defenders and attackers begin on the touchline in the centre. Both leave at the same time and run around appointed cones, ball carrier should accelerate up towards inside shoulder of defender to draw in and then pass to the support runner coming from depth who can run in and score.

General

Quick Positioning, passing and...

4 players start together on their stomachs next to each other. As the coach calls a colour cone, they move into position quickly. Once in position the first player with ball in hand approached the gates set out with the agility poles. The 4 players proceed to run straight through the gate and pass etc. Once the player has ran through his gate, and passed the ball, he needs to start supporting the ball, and again the 4 players pass to one another, but now their positioning is much wider than the previous positioning.

General

Backs move - Rangi Backs Moves...

Use the diagram to highlight suggested starting positions.10 is the ball carrier, advancing forward, before cutting in as shown in the diagram.12 advances, and cut in on the same line as 10.13 advances and cuts across 12, taking a switch pass from 10.15 and 14 press up.

General

Do Not Enter Sevens - Rugby Dr...

Tell the players the following...... The first attacking group lines up with enough depth to attack the edge of the grid, they pass the ball down the line and attack at pace - but should not enter the grid. The last receiver in that attacking line will pass to the first receiver in the next attacking line - they attack at pace but must get the ball down the line before any player enters the grid. And so the exercise continues around the grid. Change the direction of the ball.

General

Support play down channel Pass...

5 players start in a 5x5m grid and can pass the ball to one another in any direction. Once the coach blows the whistle they explode with speed down the channel. The aim is to firstly not run into an agility pole, and secondly to pass to a player in support while attacking down the channel. Once a player has made a pass, he must get in behind the ball and support once again.

General

Passing under pressure Passing...

4 players line up next to each other about 5 meters apart. A defender with a shield is standing 10 meters from the 1st man (ball carrier).The ball carrier runs in a straight line towards the bag, and passes just before the bag touches him. The receiving player needs to keep his depth, as the player with the pad will move across to his line of running, and he will need time and space to pass the ball on to the next receiver.The defender must not press up, only move across, in a straight line.

General

Inside Shoulder Running Handli...

Four attacking player start behind cones on the try line. Place an object a couple metres in front of each player, this can be a cone, pole, tackle pad etc. Attackers must pass the ball down the line and run on the inside of the object.<br><br>

General

Handling in channels School - ...

Great the large numbers, variety of skills in small areas and can be advanced/simplified for all abilities. Groups of 3, 3 channels. 2x5 m channels 1x15 m channel in the middle To evolve drill, have paths on the floor and players to off load. Keith is depth and communication. Make sure depth and quality of handling is high. Targets, follow-through and ball put in front runner.

General

3 on 2 Attack and Defence Dril...

Set an area with two different coloured cones on the touch line in the middle, one for defenders and one for attackers. At the prompt of the coach the players run around designated cones and attack the defenders to score. Ball carrier should initiate the attack by attacking the inside shoulder of the first defender to stop a drift defence. Draw the first defender and make the pass to your next support runner who should do the same to pass to the outside runner who can go and score. Once attacked three or four times players should swap to defence but not every single time to create continuity and positive development.

General

2 on 1 Attack and Defence Dril...

Set a narrow grid to attack. Defenders and attackers begin on the touchline in the centre. Both leave at the same time and run around appointed cones, ball carrier should accelerate up towards inside shoulder of defender to draw in and then pass to the support runner coming from depth who can run in and score.

General

Whole Group Handling Handling ...

Simple quick hands down the line. Players line up in fours. A coach or player feeds the ball in and players must hold their depth and use quick hands along the line.

General

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depth SESSIONS
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Establishing Depth and Pace | ...

Use this plan to get your players attacking with depth and hitting the ball with pace to improve your side's running lines!

Developing Invasive Attacking Skills

Think quickly and get past the opposition, with this attacking skills session!

Running Lines and Fixing Defenders

Create doubt in the defender's mind by getting your ball carrier to run straight with the ball, and support runners to run good lines to create depth and width

Junior Tag - Fun passing and fast hands session

A fun tag session, perfect junior and senior players alike to work on their speedy running with depth and passing to your team-mates!
depth 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

Any drills to help teach running with depth?

Any drills to help teach running with depth?

Guy Bancroft Coach, United Kingdom

how do you teach players to ralign to take a pass running?

how do you teach players to ralign to take a pass running from deep

Frank Hewett-Smith Coach, England

develop ability to realign taking a pass from depth

develop ability to realign taking a pass from depth

Neil atkinson Coach, England

Realignment of backs to take a pass from depth

Hi, I'm looking for a quick game where I can get my players to realign quickly to take a pass running from depth. Any ideas? Thanks, Clemmo

Archived User Coach

what drill do i use to teach realigning to take a pass?

what drill do i use to teach realigning to take a pass running from depth.

Archived User Coach

drills to improve the flat line technique

teahcing primary school kids and could use some drills

Archived User Coach

How can I improve my team's line speed in defence?

How can I improve my team's line speed in defence? Are there any drills which can help me?

michael klieve Coach, England

Trouble gettng the ball to our winger from first phase ball

We have two very fast wingers but we cannot get them the ball . Teams are coming up fast and we are lucky to get the ball to the O. C. We have tried setting up further back but too many times we are getting caught behind the gain lines when we do that. Any ideas?

john mcmullen Coach, United States of America

How can I ask a question?

Archived User Coach

Rules of play for Under 15 girls

What are the laws for U15 girls

TRACY HERBERT Coach, England

Tag Rugby Defence drills for kids

Hi, I'm coaching Tag rugby in Japan for ages 8-9yrs. Tryingto help kids stay in a defensive line and not group towards ball. Looking for drill ideas

James Hickling Coach, Japan

U8s crowding the ball

Hey all,Can anyone suggest some drills or tips to try and help my under 8s from crowding the ball carrier, We are finding that all of the team huddle around the ball carrier at Starts / Restarts. I dont want to keep stopping play to tell them that huddling around the ball carrier is not creating the space they need as i sound like a broken record.Any suggestions very welcome.Cheers

Matt Osborne Coach, England

Improve Attack Depth | Sportpl...

My players often line-up too flat on attack, especially in later phases. How can I work on improving their depth?

Shaun F Coach, Canada

Introduce the need of depth | ...

I'm a Portuguese Under 14 rugby coach. I have some difficulty on finding a way to coach depth of support players. Is there a simplified game I can use in a session to introduce the need of depth, so they can understand by playing, instead of me just telling the players what to do? Help me if you can, please.

Archived User Coach

I am looking for some advice o...

I am looking for some advice on a training method fir the course i am on (level 1) .. develop the bality of players to realign to take a pass running from depth. Key factors to coach would be great

Archived User Coach

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

I am looking to set up a coach...

I am looking to set up a coaching session that develops the ability of players to realign and to take a pass from deep. Anyone got any ideas on drills or match related games

Archived User Coach

how do you develop the ability...

how do you develop the ability of your players to realign to take a pass running from depth

Archived User Coach

what drill do i use to develop...

what drill do i use to develop the ability of players to realign to take a pass running from depth?

Archived User Coach
depth COMMUNITY DRILLS
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Depth running

Hands

Evaluation of skills with multiple drills

Autosave 82559292

Hand drill

RED ball - Play - (attack off 10, or 1st receiver)

Autosave 55362734

5 V 5 Decision-Making Game

WHITE BALL

RED BALL

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