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Rugby: in pairs

in pairs DRILLS
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3 v 2 v 2

Set up a channel with two sets of defenders working in pairs inside. Three attacking players start with the ball and run around the far cone, realigning as they run around the cone. Players then play out the 3v2. After this first 3v2 the attackers must move the ball quickly and play out the second 3v2.

Handling

Catching in Pairs

Players take it in turns to throw a high pass to one another. 5 high catches each and then swap roles. The pass should be accurate and the focus here is on getting the technique right under the high catch.

Catching

Fast running and Fast hands

Mark out a channel about 10 meters in length, with a cone at either end and four diagonally placed other cones. Divide your players into two small groups. Players work in pairs. The drill starts with a pass being made at the top of the channel. Players then run down the side, stepping off and changing direction at the cones placed in a zig-zag pattern. They round the last cone and run up the centre of the channel placing and picking the ball for each other. When they reach the top of the channel the ball is passed to the next pair who repeat the drill.

Agility & Running Skills

Lateral - Switch

Tell your players the following..... Players in pairs with a ball between them. The player on the left starts with the ball and passes the ball to the player to the right. The player with the ball then runs diagonally across the grid, while the player without the ball crosses over behind the ball carrier, ready to receive the ball at the next cone. They continue passing left to right and crossing over in each grid until they reach the end. Once at the end they run back to the start to the right of the grid, practicing the same skill on the way back but without cones to guide them.

Passing

Over the shoulder

Players work in pairs with 1 ball. Players throw the ball in the air but over the top of the player that has to catch the ball so the player has to run back and track the ball to catch it.

Catching

React, run and defend

Defenders and attackers line up outside the coned area in lines of five. The coach will call out two numbers, the first refers to how many attackers should enter the area and the second refers to the defenders. So 2-1 would see two attackers reacting and running around the cones and lining up against one defender. The coach can call any variation from 1-1 to 5-5.

Decision making

Right to left with a switch

Players in pairs with a ball between them. The player on the right starts with the ball and passes the ball to the player to the left. The player with the ball then runs diagonally across the grid to the next cone while the player without the ball crosses over behind the ball carrier, ready to receive the ball at the next cone. They continue passing right to left and crossing over in each grid until they reach the end. Once at the end they run back to the start to the right of the grid, practising the same skill on the way back but without cones to guide them.

Passing

Throwing the ball to each other

in pairs, 1 ball. Player with ball throws the ball up for player 2 to jump up and catch the ball. Then reverse the practice.

Catching

Wrestle the ball

In pairs, in a 5 x 5 m grid Pupils roll the ball to their partner who gathers it up. The first pupil runs and tries to take the ball from their partner. Change after the ball is successfully defended or wrestled away.

Ball Presentation

Catching in Pairs Catching - R...

Players take it in turns to throw a high pass to one another.5 high catches each and then swap roles.The pass should be accurate and the focus here is on getting the technique right under the high catch.

General

Single Arm Tug Of War Tackling...

Get in pairs and players start in a press up position. Players hold onto opposite arms whilst still in the press up position. The aim is to remain balanced and work to pull the other player over

General

Ball Balance - Core Stability ...

Get in pairs. One player starts in a plank position with a rugby ball placed under each hand trying to stay in the plank position. The other player walks around a gently nudges and pushes the player working. The work aims to stay stable on the balls.

General

3 v 2 v 2 Handling - Rugby Dri...

Set up a channel with two sets of defenders working in pairs inside. Three attacking players start with the ball and run around the far cone, realigning as they run around the cone. Players then play out the 3v2. After this first 3v2 the attackers must move the ball quickly and play out the second 3v2.

General

Rugby: Dynamic Stretching - Pa...

Seated on floor, feet touching, knees bent, join hands and pull one another forwards and backwards to loosen up lower back. Same position hands joined, rotate upper body from left to right in an upright seated position to stretch lower back and warm up obliques. Standing, facing one another each both players place 1 hand on the other players' shoulder, swinging legs in a pendulum motion to stretch the hamstrings (<em>see video below</em>). Same position but now swing leg diagonally across to stretch groin and glutes (<em>see video below</em>). Both players do 10 push ups taking at least 5 seconds to complete 1 push up, to warm up and stretch chest and back. Swing the arms in a circular motion to loosen up shoulders and warm up the arms. Pick up one another in a tackling technique and take 2 steps with player on your shoulder, then put down softly and slowly. Make sure to pick up with both legs and shoulders (same leg same shoulder) One player leans forward, the other places his hand on his shoulders, and resists while the player leaning works his way forward using leg power. Back to back, one player resists with the legs and the other pushes, resist 60% so that the player can keep moving forward. 1 vs 1 scrummaging with a max effort of about 50%

General

Tackle Pad Grapple Warm Up - R...

In pairs. Each player grabs one end of the tackle pad. The players wrestle to grab the tackle pad from the other players grasp. Repeat a couple of times.

General

Kick support game Catching - R...

2 teams, 1 ball with 2 grids diagonally across from each other. Each team is made out of 3 pairs and one float support player. Each pair is a catcher and a support player. When the kick comes over the nearest pair with the floating support player have have to lift the player and catch the ball. After which they kick the ball into the oppositions grid. Points are scored when a team fails to have 2 players lifting the catcher to receive the ball.

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

Agility and Balance Race Agili...

Set out a course of cones in pairs, with two pairs of cones at the front and back of the course - two cones go in the middle of the front and back cones, not in line but just to the side. Two cones then go opposite the two cones in the middle on either side. <br><br>Two players stay at the front of the circuit, standing back facing towards the rest of the cones. On the shout of GO, the players run backwards before turning to face forwards at the first cone, sprinting to the side and running around this cone before sprinting to the top. Here they turn completely around the cone, before sprinting forward to the start.

General

Throwing the ball to each othe...

in pairs, 1 ball. Player with ball throws the ball up for player 2 to jump up and catch the ball. Then reverse the practice.

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

Handling Skills Ball handling ...

In pairs, stand facing each other, 3m apart. Pass the ball at waist height. How many passes can you make in 15 seconds? Pass first to the left, then to the right Are you better with one hand than the other?

General

Lateral - Switch Passing - Rug...

Using cones, mark out a training area 15 meters x 10 meters. Split your players into groups of 2. Allocate 4 groups of 2 to each training area. If you can, give each group of two their own ball. Have enough training areas to keep all of your players as busy and active as possible. Tell your players the following...... Players in pairs with a ball between them. The player on the left starts with the ball and passes the ball to the player to the right. The player with the ball then runs diagonally across the grid, while the player without the ball crosses/switches over behind the ball carrier, ready to receive the ball at the next cone. They continue passing left to right and crossing over in each grid until they reach the end. Once at the end they run back to the start to the right of the grid, practicing the same skill on the way back but without cones to guide them. <span style=&quot;text-decoration: underline;&quot;><em>Progression</em>: Add in a defender with a ruck shield, just to add a little pressure.

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

1 Vs 1 Warm up - Rugby League ...

Work in pairs Coach calls out a number and that pair reacts and runs around the cones - one attacks and the other defends Progressions: Swap sides

General

Right to left with a switch Pa...

Players in pairs with a ball between them. The player on the right starts with the ball and passes the ball to the player to the left. The player with the ball then runs diagonally across the grid to the next cone while the player without the ball crosses over behind the ball carrier, ready to receive the ball at the next cone. They continue passing right to left and crossing over in each grid until they reach the end. Once at the end they run back to the start to the right of the grid, practising the same skill on the way back but without cones to guide them.

General

Wrestle the ball Ball Presenta...

In pairs, in a 5 x 5 m grid Pupils roll the ball to their partner who gathers it up. The first pupil runs and tries to take the ball from their partner. Change after the ball is successfully defended or wrestled away.

General

High Kick Catching Catching - ...

Drill to practice catching high kicks.Set up a grid roughly 15m long and 10m wide.Get a line of players on one side of the grid, and a coach or kicker on the other side.The coach kicks the ball high into the air, the player at the front of the line runs into the grid and tries to catch the kick. Once they have caught the kick they pass the ball back to the coach and join the back of the line.The coach then kicks the ball for the next player in line to catch.PROGRESSION:Encourage players to jump as they catch the ballAdd in a defender to put pressure on the player catching the ball.

General

Grip Games Handling - Rugby Dr...

Here are two games to improve your players grip on the ball:1. Simple grip battle (0.00-0.14)<li dir=&quot;ltr&quot;>Two players have one ball between them.<li dir=&quot;ltr&quot;>This is a grip battle where the players are trying to take the ball from each other. <li dir=&quot;ltr&quot;>Tell your players to focus on how they are gripping the ball and using grip strength rather than by moving their feet or hips.2. Competitive grip game (0.14-1.04)<li dir=&quot;ltr&quot;>Set up an area with cones and give half of the players a ball.<li dir=&quot;ltr&quot;>The players without the ball are trying to knock the ball out of their hands.<li dir=&quot;ltr&quot;>The players with the balls are trying to stop that happening.<li dir=&quot;ltr&quot;>Either play that when all the balls go down the defence wins.<li dir=&quot;ltr&quot;>Or play when a ball goes down those two players swap roles.<li dir=&quot;ltr&quot;>(1.04) Have players work on the hand off and ball transfer in pairs and then play again and see the difference.

General

Rugby: Presenting The Ball In ...

A circle must be set up for player/coach to walk around. The players must be in pairs with one been the attacker and the other the defender. Both players start stomach down however the defender is on top of the attacker and must work to stay on top of the attacker. The coach/player walks around the circle shouting ‘set’ at 10-15 second intervals, at the command ‘set’ the attacker must move and present the ball with both balls towards the coach/player.

General

Clockwork Passing Warm Up - Ru...

4 + groups Balls All players have a ball, start by passing the ball once left then twice right, then 3 times left etc. if the ball goes down you start again. Winning team is the team who competes the most amount of passes without the ball going down.

General

Low Tackle and Clear | Contact...

This is the third exercise in a series of three that can be put together to form a contact conditioning circuit. The circuit can be sets of 30 seconds of hard work followed by 30 seconds of rest. Swap in this circuit for your usual fitness routine to give the players something a bit more interesting and transferable to a game. Alternatively, this would be a great exercise to include as part of a warm up.Players work in pairs, one player holds a tackle bag behind a tackle sausage.The other player makes a low tackle on the sausage and then drives through, clearing out the player holding the tackle bag.This player then goes to ground and gets back up to complete another repetition in the other direction.It is the job of the player holding the tackle bag to lift up the tackle sausage after each repetition.This drill will increase players overall fitness levels while being very relevant to game situations. 0.21 - Why is this important for players?

General

Fast running and Fast hands Ag...

Mark out a channel about 10 meters in length, with a cone at either end and four diagonally placed other cones. Divide your players into two small groups. Players work in pairs. The drill starts with a pass being made at the top of the channel. Players then run down the side, stepping off and changing direction at the cones placed in a zig-zag pattern. They round the last cone and run up the centre of the channel placing and picking the ball for each other. When they reach the top of the channel the ball is passed to the next pair who repeat the drill.

General

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in pairs SESSIONS
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Kicking Development: The Punt Kick

Perfect your players' punting to improve their ability kick for possession and territory with this Skill Development Session

Tackling Technique - Tackle with confidence

Refresh your junior players' tackling technique before the season starts to help them grow in confidence and prevent injuries in your team!
in pairs ANSWERS
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Forward positions at kickoffs and what type of pods to run with and who does what

Hi there, I was wondering thoughts on forward positions at the kickoff. Do you have the catchers deep so the are coming forward to meet the ball or have one deep and one short? For the pods do you have a "quick" pod made up of all three loosies and a lock and a "slow" pod made up of the front row and the lock or do you split them in two pods made up of a prop, a lock and two loosies and the other pod of a prop, a lock, the hooker and a loosie? Who would you tell to be the ball carrier, body movers and bridger? All thoughts welcome. CheersDave

Archived User Coach

next season we introduce kicking to the boys what can you suggest would be a good place to start and how quickly should this progress be. any hints tips or drills would be great

Ask a question and have it answered by Coaches from around the world and Sportplan's team of Experts.

iain Coach, England

Tackling nerves - I coach 10 year old boys. Some boys?

Tackling nerves - I coach 10 year old boys. Some are very nervous about being hurt when tackling opponents although the same guys are like lions with the ball in hand. As a result our defence suffers. We have tried hammering home the correct technique to give confidence but to no avail. Can anyone suggest any psychology or drills I might try?

Archived User Coach

i coach collegiate womens rugby...any suggestions for?

i coach collegiate womens rugby...any suggestions for tackling sessions in practice - my girls are very hesitant to "hurt" each other. we have tackle dummies, but that just isn't the same...

Archived User Coach

rugby tackling under 9s fear

tackling under 9s fear

Archived User Coach

U10s organisation in defence. How to improve?

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

passing

drills for passing with u8s

Poppy R Coach, United Kingdom

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

Tackling nerves - I coach 10 y...

Tackling nerves - I coach 10 year old boys. Some are very nervous about being hurt when tackling opponents although the same guys are like lions with the ball in hand. As a result our defence suffers. We have tried hammering home the correct technique to give confidence but to no avail. Can anyone suggest any psychology or drills I might try?

Archived User Coach

Forward positions at kickoffs ...

Hi there, I was wondering thoughts on forward positions at the kickoff. Do you have the catchers deep so the are coming forward to meet the ball or have one deep and one short? For the pods do you have a "quick" pod made up of all three loosies and a lock and a "slow" pod made up of the front row and the lock or do you split them in two pods made up of a prop, a lock and two loosies and the other pod of a prop, a lock, the hooker and a loosie? Who would you tell to be the ball carrier, body movers and bridger? All thoughts welcome. CheersDave

Archived User Coach

i coach collegiate womens rugb...

i coach collegiate womens rugby...any suggestions for tackling sessions in practice - my girls are very hesitant to "hurt" each other. we have tackle dummies, but that just isn't the same...

Archived User Coach

How to coach - The Switch? Inc...

How to coach - The Switch? Including Drills? Thanks.

Archived User Coach

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