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Rugby: hit the gap

hit the gap DRILLS
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Hit The Gap Drill

A drill to practice decision making and finding space between defenders. Set up a line of three defenders with tackle shields (roughly 2m apart), with one defender 2/3m behind the middle defender (blue - see diagram). Roughly 5m opposite the defenders set up three attackers, one opposite the middle defender with the ball and one either side of the ball carrier (red - see diagram). When the ball carrier starts running towards the defenders the defender behind moves in to fill one of the defensive gaps. The attackers must successfully select the space and pass the ball to the player to run through the gap and score. PROGRESSION: Defenders put more pressure on attackers. All players must touch the ball. The third attacker must get through their space as a support player. The ball starts on one side instead of in the middle and players have to call whether the space is the first gap or the second gap, in which case the ball carrier should through a miss-pass.

Decision making

Running Lines and Breakdown Continuity

A coach or scrum half feeds a ball carrier who should be running onto the ball. 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. The player should aim to hit the gap between the two tackle bags and power beyond the contact. Those two players then drop the bags and follow the original runner in support. The ball carrier then hits the bag, goes to ground and looks to lift the ball up to one of his support players. The next player then hits the last tackle bag, goes to ground and presents the ball. 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.

Agility & Running Skills

Hit The Gap Drill Decision mak...

A drill to practice decision making and finding space between defenders.Set up a line of three defenders with tackle shields (roughly 2m apart), with one defender 2/3m behind the middle defender (blue - see diagram).Roughly 5m opposite the defenders set up three attackers, one opposite the middle defender with the ball and one either side of the ball carrier (red - see diagram).When the ball carrier starts running towards the defenders the defender behind moves in to fill one of the defensive gaps. The attackers must successfully select the space and pass the ball to the player to run through the gap and score. PROGRESSION:Defenders put more pressure on attackers.All players must touch the ball. The third attacker must get through their space as a support player.The ball starts on one side instead of in the middle and players have to call whether the space is the first gap or the second gap, in which case the ball carrier should through a miss-pass.

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

Passing Lines zPassing - Rugby...

UPDATE

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

Mid-Space attack Decision maki...

There are 4 cones in a rectangle , 2 red and 2 blue. The 2 defenders stand within the square, and on the coach's call, they must go and touch the called colour cone.As the coach calls it the attackers can go.The ball starts with the attacker in the middle.His aim is to attack the space in between the two players, and execute the first opportunity that presents itself. either one of the players will move in on him, therefore opening up space for the support runner on that side, or both will commit to him, or none in which case he is through!

General

Sausage Wrestle and Jackal Ruc...

Groups of 3 Sausage Ball1 player lines up opposite a standing sausage, wrestles it to the floor, landing chest ontop of the bag. A 2nd play holding a ball puts the ball down on the right side of the sausage as if it was an attacker placing it. The first play wrestling the sausage, bouncers up and competes for the ball (remeber to release) The 3rd player once the ball has been placed tries to clear the player competing for the ball.

General

Quick Ball From Slow Ball Matc...

BagsBalls 2 attackers line up opposite 2 defenders with bosh bags. The coach delivers a ball into the attackers. The ball carrier aims to run an overs line - Outsid ehsoulder of first defdner, and attack the second defender.The second attacker looks to leach on/latch on to the ball carrier pushing them through the contact area. Looking for a quick exstra few yards.

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

Ruck Clearing Exercises Ruck C...

Progressive exercises to improve clearing out at the ruckLay a tackle tube on the floor with another tube on top, angled into the air, with a ball on the floor in front of the first tubeCLEAR: The player starts lying flat on the ground in a press up position, before angling their run and tackling the top tubeROLL: Same set up, but the tube is tiled the opposite direction. The player runs round and wraps their arms round the tube before rolling away to the right with the momentum of their run.

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

Realign To Attack A Broken Def...

Three attacker start on their fronts with three defenders lying opposite them. On go the attackers backtrack and realign into an attacking line. Two defenders come up to defender with one handing back. The attackers try and beat the first two defenders and then try to beat the final defender at the back.<br><br>

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

Double Tackle Technique Tackli...

Groups of 6.Tackle Suits. Ball 1. 1 v 2 - Shoulders on1 attacker must run in the middle of 2 defenders, in a small grid. the first defender performs a chop tackle.the second defder makes a chest hit, aiming to stop the offload. 2. 1 vs 3 - ball involved - full contact. In groups of 6, have 3 attackers 3 defenders. Attackers pass a ball along the line back and forth until whistle goes. Defenders in tackle suits, line up opposite the attackers, when whitle goes the attacker with the ball runs at the defence aiming at the gaps inbetween the defenders. the defenders come up as a line. The first defender (usually inside) makes a low chop tackle, while the other second defender aims for man and ball.

General

Hit and Spin Ball presentation...

Two players with shields stand facing the runners on opposite sides of a grid. On the command, the players run into the shield and spins to their right before joining the back of the group on the left hand side. The practice keeps repeating. On GO, each ball carrier drives into the contact pad and spins out, past the defender before passing the ball to the next player in the other group.

General

Ball & Player Sevens - Rugby D...

Tell the players the following..... This is all about tackling at chest height. The facing player will advance, they will be the tackler. The bag carrier should advance as well. The tackler makes a chest height hit on the bag, taking the bag with them. The next defender on the other side does the same, taking the bag with them. When each player completes their role, they should join the opposite line, ready to go again.

General

Develop Running Lines Off 9 Ma...

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

Find The Gap Grubber Kicking -...

Drill to practice grubber kicking (a kick that bounces along the ground, bouncing no more than 1m away from the kicker) to a team mate to score.Set up a grid 15m x 10m, with three attackers (blue) and three defenders (red).The attack are trying to score by getting behind the defenders (red) using a grubber kick.The first attacker runs out and passes to the second attacker. The second attacker performs a grubber kick for the third attacker to gather and scorePROGRESSION:Start from the other sidePerform the kick with the players weaker foot1 can kick to 2 or 32 can kick to 3 or back to 1Any player can perform the grubber kick - coach passes the ball into the drill to select which player performs the kick.

General

Passing circle Ball presentati...

Place 2 players in the centre. Both players pass to those running the circle. Notice that the gap between the passer and the catcher has narrowed because there are now 2 players acting as passers.

General

Attacking Overload - Exploit T...

The drill starts with two teams of equal players playing a standard game of touch. Whenever a touch is made, the defender immediately joins the attacking side and acts as scrum half. This creates an attacking overload. Players must try to score a try by exploiting the overload in the least amount of touches. The drill resets after a try is scored.

General

Rucking Ruck - Rugby Drills, R...

Groups of 4 and two groups of defenders with contact pads. 1 ball per group. The ball carrier drives into the contact pads and presents ball backwards. Player 2 binds on, face to face and secures ball, player 3 binds on the other side to form a front row. All attackers bind together and drive defenders back 2-3 metres. Player 4 takes ball out at back and runs back around cone with players 1-3 in support. Repeat going back the other way until all attackers have practised each role.

General

Ruck Zone Contact Skills - Rug...

Bags Min 12+ BallThere is a working group of 4 in the middle of 8 differnt bag holders working in 2's. The group of 4 must pick and drive into a difffernt group of bags each rep. The group of 4 work on there contact skills of leg drive and staying on feet, then clear out work. Work for 1 min then swap.

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

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hit the gap DRILL CATEGORIES
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Ball Presentation Drills
Ruck Clear Out Drills
Ball Presentation Drills
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hit the gap ANSWERS
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positional skill - how can i improve a props defence?

positional skill - how can i improve a props defence / decision making off the side of a ruck / maul?

david clark Coach, South Africa

rugby tackling under 9s fear

tackling under 9s fear

Archived User Coach

Tips on breaking through a defence line?

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

Advice on playing flyhalf | Sp...

Tomorrow i am going for rugby trials and i wanna play flyhalf. What do i have to do to get the position

sima Coach, South Africa

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

Which defence system is the mo...

Which defence system is the most effective for 15-man rugby and what drills can I use for the rush/sliding defence...especially to get the guys in the inside to slide with and close up the inside gap from the 2nd phase onwards.

Rossi Marx Coach, South Africa

rugby tackling under 9s fear |...

tackling under 9s fear

Archived User Coach

u8s running sideways not forwa...

What drills would anybody reccomend to encourage forward running in an u8s side,whilst keeping it fun?Some players tend to crab along the pitch.

Archived User Coach

Looking for day 0 skills to te...

I am looking for a Day 0 type of session for American children who may have never held a rugby ball. If I move forward with a rugby exhibition/team creation in the neighborhood, I want to make sure I know how/what to teach Day 0. I'm hoping that interest is growing for touch and flag rugby due to the recent in Philadelphia between the USA Eagles and the Maori All Blacks. I was there. It was fantastic. Tickets sold out so fast, I think there will be more of these in the area. Thanks.

Doug Jones Coach, United States of America

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