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hit the DRILLS
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2 x Hit then pass

Set up the practice as shown inside a 30m x 30m Grid. 6 Shields and 1 Ball. Player 1 carries the ball before passing the ball to player 2 who bursts through the shields. Once through the other side, 2 passes to 3 and receives a return pass before bursting through the next set of shields Once they are through the last two players with shields can move and try and block the runners. Player 2 has the option to pass to either player or go it alone.

Contact Skills

Ball Presentation on Tackle

Ball Presentation

Ball Presentation on Tackle Pop

Groups of 3.  Ball One player performs a tackle on his knees.  The ball carrier works to manage the contact area by using footwork/fend.  Aim is try work aorund a question mark shape - to get line of sight to support runner.  Try to keep to hands on the ball before giving the pop/pass.  Support runner must tempo run to time his suport line correctly come in narrow so the pop isnt hard.

Ball Presentation

Floor/ Seal/ Clear/ Pick

In groups of 4 inside the grid with 1 ball per group. Players should pass the ball around the group with small pops. On the coach's whistle the player with the ball takes the ball into contact and hits the floor. Other players must then seal-clear-pick. After picking the ball players can continue to pop pass the ball until they hear the next whistle.

Ball Presentation

Hit The Colours

Players start at the top of the triangle. Coach calls colours, 2/3 at a time. Player moves to the called cone, and returns to the start each time. Player should remain facing forward at all times, back tracking when they need to. Coach calls GO and players sprint 10 meters.

Agility & Running Skills

Realign

The first player moves forwards, makes contact with the tackle bag and retreats diagonally to the line of cones. The next player joins the line and both the players move forward and hit the tackle bag or shield before retreating back to the line again. The third player then joins the line and all three players go out to meet the tackle bag, shield or fall on the ball. Drill continues with all players involved.

Tackling

Split Drill with Trailer 3

Equipment Required: Bump Pads, Balls, Cones.On GO, players A, B & C start running but A & C switch sides behind player C and run around the cones. Player C takes a pop pass from the feeder and drives on in to the contact pad where he turns and looks to pass to either A or B who are crossing back behind him.

Agility & Running Skills

Tackle

Ball Presentation

Touch Ruck Game

Groups of 10 5 v 5 match, after each touch the touch player must simulate a ruck by hitting the floor. Allow 1 player to clear defenders away Offside line for defenders 5m back from ball

Ruck

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

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

Scrum Hit Scrum - Rugby Drills...

The aim of the drill is to develop front row scrum set up and engagement with good positive profiling.

General

Hit The Colours Warm Up - Rugb...

Players start at the top of the triangle. Coach calls colours, 2/3 at a time. Player moves to the called cone, and returns to the start each time. Player should remain facing forward at all times, back tracking when they need to. Coach calls GO and players sprint 10 meters.

General

2 x Hit then pass Off Loads - ...

Set up the practice as shown inside a 30m x 30m Grid. 6 Shields and 1 Ball. Player 1 carries the ball before passing the ball to player 2 who bursts through the shields. Once through the other side, 2 passes to 3 and receives a return pass before bursting through the next set of shields Once they are through the last two players with shields can move and try and block the runners. Player 2 has the option to pass to either player or go it alone.

General

Tracking hit Tackling - Rugby ...

Tracking hit (2 x 10 minutes in split groups) Set up3 different colour cones on the gain line. 2m spacing (set up 3-4 areas with 2 pads)Defender starts in the middle cone. Attacker has a pad. On "GO" the Attacker with the pad runs straight to one of the 3 cones.The coach can shout a colour to direct the Attacker to a certain cone. The Attacker must run straight to it. This drill will test Defender's front on and side on tackles: left and right.

General

Lineout: Hit 2 Lineout - Rugby...

7-man lineout; throw to 2; lift, catch, drive.

General

Lineout: Hit 2 Lineout - Rugby...

7-man line; throw to 2; lift, catch drive.

General

2 x Hit then pass Off loads - ...

Set up the practice as shown inside a 30m x 30m Grid. 6 Shields and 1 Ball. Player 1 carries the ball before passing the ball to player 2 who bursts through the shields. Once through the other side, 2 passes to 3 and receives a return pass before bursting through the next set of shields Once they are through the last two players with shields can move and try and block the runners. Player 2 has the option to pass to either player or go it alone.

General

Rugby: Hit And Roll Ruck Clear...

A tackling exercise to be completed in pairs.One player stands over a tackle tube, while holding a tackle bag themself against their chest.The tackler begins lying down with chest on the floor ready to go.The tackler gets to their feet quickly, and gets low before tackling the opponent/tackle bag with force.The aim is for the tackler to rip the tackle bag away from the opponent, and roll away.

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

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

Attack hit floor and roll Ruck...

On the coach's call players with the ball run into contact with the pad, next go to ground and finally roll over protecting the ball.

General

Hit and Drive Ruck Clearout Ru...

A drill to be completed in pairs.One player holding a tackle bag stands in a low, strong position with knees bent.The player is standing with one foot either side of a tackle tube on the floor, with their weight forward.The other player starts lying on the floor in a half press-up position ready to go.The tackler needs to get to their feet quickly, sidestep past the cone on the floor and tackle the player holding the tackle bag.Once the player with the tackle bag has been hit, the tackler drives through to clear the opponent out of a ruck.

General

Reload Rucking Ruck - Rugby Dr...

Set up two defenders holding hit shields opposite two even lines of players.The ball starts with the first man in one of the lines, he runs towards the defender, hits the hit shield and goes down to present the ball. The player behind him in the line clears the defender off the ball and the third player in the line passes the ball off the floor to the first player in the other line who is running onto the pass and runs at the defender.The players from the first line join the back of their line. The player who has received the pass hits the hit shield, goes to ground and presents the ball towards his team.The second player clears out the defender, and the third player passes the ball off the floor to the first player in the other line. Players switch roles after each repetition, and should switch lines to practice passing in both directions of the floor.

General

Scrum Half - Shotgun Alley Sev...

Explain to thescrum halfs that they are to attempt to pass the ball at the attackers and attempt to hit them below the shoulders. It won't be a completed pass as the attackers are just trying to avoid getting hit. The scrum halfs can move sideways along the edge of grid, however, cannot move forward into the grid. The attackers can attack when they like, and if hit they can be out - or have more than one life. When an scrum half makes it through the grid successfully, with out being directly hit by a pass, they wait at the other end till all the other attackers make it. The scrum halfs must make their passes/hits from the groud.

General

Line Speed Sevens - Rugby Dril...

Tell the players the following.... Players will advance as a line, and as one hit the pads. The pads can also advance as a line. If the pads do advance, they should return to their starting positions. The players hitting the pads just the end of the lines, ready to go again. The nest line should go when the players on the pads area ready. Don't forget to change the players on the pads.

General

Battle Ships Kicking - Rugby D...

Fun game to practice passing/kicking accuracy.Set up a grid with lots of different objects (tackle bags, hit shields, tyres, cones etc) inside.Have four players on one side with a ball each (blue) and four players on the other side (red).The blue players are aiming to pass or kick their ball onto one of the objects in the square, the red players are there to retrieve the balls and return them to the blue players.Each team gets three attempts per player before swapping roles.The team which collects the most items from the grid are the winners.Progression - Large/medium items require more hits than others before they are removed (e.g. tackle bags need 3 hits, hit shields need 2 hits)Vary the size of the gridEach player only gets one attempt before the teams swap

General

Hold, Press, Push Sevens - Rug...

Tell your players the following..... The first should of 3 will PUSH, drifting across and HIT the pads together. They will then advance and do the same at the next 2 sets of pads before returning to their start position to go again. The second group of defenders can go when they feel there is enough space between them and the first group. That's it - lets get to work. Don't forget to change the defenders and bag holders.

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

Fast Up Sevens - Rugby Drills,...

Tell your players the following..... One player will be the bag man, they will put the bags that have been hit back up again. Players will start at the bottom of the channel, they will hit the first bag - get to their feet and pick the ball. They should then set the ball just before the next bag - where they will again make the hit, before getting to their feet and taking the ball. They will repeat this at bag 3. The bag man - should be tracking and putting the bags up again. They player that has just went - will become the bag man, and the existing bag man joins the end of the line ready to complete the exercise. That's it, lets get to work.

General

Building The Contact 2 Contact...

<b>Setup:</b> Set up with 4 players with pads, and four players facing them about five metres away. There should be enough space between the players to ensure that they and the players making the hit are safe. The rest of the players fall in behind the leading 4 players who will be making the first hit. Each group of four will go together. The players holding the pads should do so with one hand on each strap, not with one arm through both straps as this exposes them to a lower arm fracture on a big hit. Have more than one group if necessary, as you don't want to have players waiting for more than 20-30 seconds between hits. Start slowly to get the technique right, and build from there. Tell the hitting players to raise their elbows 90 degrees or more. They will notice that their shoulders get bigger. Demo this with another coach if necessary.

General

Rugby: Taking the ball into co...

Drill to improve players taking the ball into contact and ruck clear out.Set up a square roughly 5m x 5m. Get two lines of players behind two of the cones with a ball on one side. Get a defender to stand with a hit shield towards the edge of the square where the players are lined up.The player behind the red cone runs around the opposite red cone, when he enters the square the player behind the green cone passes him the ball and then runs around the opposite green cone to support him. When the player receives the pass he continues running and hits the hit shield, before going to ground and presenting the ball. The support player comes in and clears out the defender with the hit shield.The players then swap lines and the ball is passed to the front of the line behind the green cones for the drill to continue.

General

Tackle Technique 5/5- Grip Tac...

Groups 2ballMore use of thre handsAfter the Arms have wrapped around the attacker.Grab onto shorts, shirt anything you can to keep your grip Stick to the tackle.

General

Rugby Baseball Passing - Rugby...

Split your team into two teams. One team will be up to bat/kick and the other team will field. The fielding team should take up positions that they feel will be advantageous to their game plan - don't worry too much about over coaching this - players can learn as they play. The fielding team should have a pitcher/thrower of the ball. It is his job to stand on the pitching mound and to throw the ball as hard as he can toward the hitter/kicker. The idea is to force the hitter/kicker to struggle to catch the ball. A bad throw is considered wide and three bad throws means the hitter/kicker gets to walk to first base. However, three good throws that are dropped will be considered three strikes and the hitter/kicker will then be out. So the pitcher throws the ball, as hard as he can, to the kicker/hitter -who if they catch it can make a kick to space. The kick must land on the pitch, but can bounce into touch. If the kick is caught then the hitter/kicker is out. If not then they can start running. They need to get from 1st to 2nd to 3rd to 4th and then back to where they started in order to score a home run. They can stop at any base and be considered safe. However, runners can be called out when running between bases if the fielders manage to get the ball grounded at any of the two bases they are between.

General

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hit the DRILL CATEGORIES
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Ball Presentation Drills
Ruck Clear Out Drills
Ball Presentation Drills
Ruck Clear Out Drills
hit the SESSIONS
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Rugby Fitness Drills and Games

Fitness is a vital part of getting to the line for the full 80. Work on your teams skills and technique whilst putting them under fatigue with a gruelling fitness session.

Fitness and Handling Skills - Refresher Session

Work on their speed and stamina in this passing and receiving recap session - designed to get your players spreading their fingers for maximum passing control

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!
hit the ANSWERS
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Is Bridging Illegal?

Simon My son's PE teacher has told him that Bridging is lieegal for the U13 to U19 group. His Club coach has been encouraging its use in games for two seasons. I can see some of the dangers but also the advantages Who is right is it banned or can it be used? Paul submitted by email

Archived User Coach

New rules... how best to take long corners ?

Given the lovely new rules... Can you suggest how to coach a team taking long corners. No player can be 5 yards from player taking the long corner - So creating a 2v1 now is impossible. How do you coach this ? Thanks

Grant Hunt Coach, United Kingdom

How to teach the front on tackle to 10 year olds

How to teach the front on tackle to 10 year olds

Archived User Coach

wats the best gameplan to use when you have a small forward pack?

wats the best gameplan to use when you have a small forward pack? How many phases is best to run before you feed the line?

Archived User Coach

any one know drills for defending a attack from scrum?

any one know drills for defending a attack from scrum in midfield?

Archived User Coach

Is sealing the ball at the tackle and ruck legal again?

Is sealing the ball at the tackle and ruck legal again?

Des Crowley Coach, United States of America

scrum wheeling

I am coaching a high level team. I would like to hear what opinions people have as far as the ideal time to initiate a small offensive wheel, which of course we would never do because it would violate laws. At the put in? When it is at the 8s feet?

Archived User Coach

I coach an adult side, what is the best way to defend?

I coach an adult side, what is the best way to defend a rolling maul from lineout

Archived User Coach

My son's u16 team is suffering from a wheeling scrum.?

My son's u16 team is suffering from a wheeling scrum. The front row's height is 5'6 for the loosehead and hooker and 5'11 for the tighthead. Is this a contributary cause? My guess would be that their shoulders are not hitting squarely, causing an angle.

Archived User Coach

Kickoff Alignment

I am looking for a set up for receiving a kickoff in rugby. We are using the expoloded scrum method and marking their forwards on the kickoff now. But if the forwards move or are split we end up looking like the Keystone Cops trying to match. What is a prefered set up?

Matt Coach, United States of America

Shortened lineup. Where should my forwards position themselves...?

Any advice as to where rest of forwards should line up without getting in way of fly half and other backs for example in a 3 man lineout?

Archived User Coach

How do you approach a match you know your team will lose?

My young intermediate squad has some tough forthcoming league fixtures against sides they we are unlikely to beat. I expect I will focus the team talk on processes rather than outcome.Is there any merit in explaining that winning is unlikely and that we should look at other successes such as tackles made, limiting the number of tries etc?

Simon Luxton Coach, England

Big Hit or Step Up tackle | Sp...

Describe a 'step-up' or 'big hit' tackle. How would you coach it, what is the technique and what are the key factors technically?

Archived User Coach

How can I improve my tackling?...

How can I improve my tackling? I'm new to the game this year, and I had a couple of injuries to my shoulder and ribs early on which held me back somewhat. I was diving in and making good hits before- now as I approach being fully fit again I have found if I hit a player running at me with my shoulder around hip-height, I make good contact, but fail to get the wrap with the arms, and often don't bring the man down. On bigger lads I've tried hitting as low as possible, but often end up with one leg, sometimes two, and very low, still not getting the desired effect.... So, depending on the size of the opponent, where should I be hitting with the shoulder? Hips, knees, or other? And any tips on getting the wrap right? Thanks

Archived User Coach

What's the best to get my team...

What's the best to get my team to hit the gain line at full pace? It is a huge problem to get it into there noggin's

Archived User Coach

My fowards seem afraid to ruck...

My fowards seem afraid to ruck and stand around the ruck while in the way of the scrum half trying to get the ball out to the backs. They also don't support the ball carrier while he is being tackled. Please help me with any suggestions!!!

William Barrett Coach, United States of America

I'm about to begin coaching fo...

I'm about to begin coaching forwards at the college level, any drills, conditioning, tips, or any suggestions from my more experienced ruggers will be greatly appreciated

Archived User Coach

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