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Rugby: passing down the line

passing down the line DRILLS
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Defense vs attack drill

The aim is to the defensive situation to keep changing the defence gets used to drifting or pressing. The aim of the attack is to realign using the full width, get the ball out of the breakdown quickly (no matter what position you play), seeing space, communicating options and reading the defence. Can be done with any number of players but best suited to around 7. You will need 7 cones, 1 ball, a 40 m area, attack of line and try line. Players passed the ball quickly down the line. When the ball gets halfway, the coach shouts out a number. Number reflects the number of defenders. The end player puts down the ball by pad, then the 2 defenders get onside (beyond defensive line) and defend against the other attackers. The defenders need to work together. Stay tight and use the sideline extra defender. Drifting from the inside and pushing up and out. Attack looks to use, player pace and beat the drift. Important defence talks and understand what they are doing in the changing circumstances. With 4 attackers and 3 defenders, defenders might look for a blitz defence or up then drift. Scrum-half can break so defence must defend at guard. Attack should be looking up and reading the situation. If we have an overlap then as a unit we must understand how to fix defenders. You must start to add a kicking option to advance the drill. 8 players, you can have a forward runner offering a shadow line of 10. He is involved in the passing down the line but is on a separate cone in the front of the 7. This fits in with the patterns and philosophy of attack. You might get the forward to press ups or other exercise to replicate fatigue.

School

Miss Me Baby, One More Time!

We will begin with laterial passing down the line, just to get going. On your call we will start to miss the player in the middle, and pass to the next player instead (a miss-pass). The player who is being missed should still come forward at speed and should still look as if they are going to take a ball. When finished the players rejoin the back of the lines on the grid, but they move down one. So the first ball carrier now becomes the player to be missed, the missed player now becomes the reciever, and the reciever now moves to the first position to carry the ball. Simple - lets get moving.

Passing

Reloading and passing practice

Have 8-10 players standing in a line with a scrum half at the end a few metres in front. Scrum half passes the ball to a player. Passing down the line for 4-6 passes and moving forward until the ball reaches the end of the line. Not every player has to touch the ball. Then the person at the end passes a long ball back to scrum half, and they turn and do the same in the other direction.

Passing

Speed Handling Race

Two lines of four stand back to back with the ball on the right hand side of each line. On go they both sprint 15m whilst passing down the line and then turn to run back whilst returning down the line to the player who started with the ball.

Catching

Wide Passing Lines

The two feeders should be 15 meters apart and will........ Feed the left most attacking unit with a ball, they will move forward at pace passing down the line and setting the ball down when it hits the last receiver. The first feeder will without delay pass the ball onto the right attacking unit, they will do the same as the left attacking unit, on their side of the pitch. Both attacking lines should realign and take a ball from the second feeder, before turning and working their way up the pitch, running the same exercise. Players should change their position in the line.

Sevens

Passing Along The Line Passing...

Simple hand drill that can be progressed onto many simple backline movements. 1 ball, 4 players, area of 20-30m by 20m 1st player starts with the ball who commences the sequence by running, 2nd player run from depth and receive the ball then pass to 3rd player who will do the same to the 4th. From this point the order will reverse to get another repetition through everyone's hands so you can score at the end of the grid.

General

Up and Down Passing - Rugby Dr...

Tell them the following...... Each attack will be up and down, up the left and down the right side of the cones. Eack attack will see the ball move down the line once. Run out to far cone and back - 1/2 pace - no forward passes. Run out to third cone and back - jog - 3/4 pace back. Run out to second cone and back - fast out - fast back. Off-load the ball to the next attacking line - they do the same. That's it, get working. Refer to the coaching points in order to help your players improve.

General

Tri-Attack Passing - Rugby Dri...

Tell your players the following...... The first line of attackers move forward, passing the ball down the line. The entire group switches position to the right side of the grid, and attacks as a line. They then attack down the grid through the top of the grid, facing the next line of attack.

General

Speed Handling Race Catching -...

Two lines of four stand back to back with the ball on the right hand side of each line. On go they both sprint 15m whilst passing down the line and then turn to run back whilst returning down the line to the player who started with the ball.

General

Right Angled Passing Drill Pas...

Drill to practice passing.Set up a right angle (L-shape) with lines of 4 players on each side (see diagram)The ball starts at one of the outer ends and the players pass it down the line, when it reaches the end of the line the fourth player passes the ball off to the first player in the next line (see diagram).They then pass the ball down the line and pass it off to the first player in the next line, and the drill repeats.After completing their pass players should run through and join the back of the next line.

General

Up and down the line Passing -...

1) Run out to far cone and back - 1/2 pace - no forward passes. 2) Run out to second cone - easy out - 3/4 pace back. 3) Run out to first cone - fast out - fast back.

General

Wide Passing Lines Sevens - Ru...

The two feeders should be 15 meters apart and will........ Feed the left most attacking unit with a ball, they will move forward at pace passing down the line and setting the ball down when it hits the last receiver. The first feeder will without delay pass the ball onto the right attacking unit, they will do the same as the left attacking unit, on their side of the pitch. Both attacking lines should realign and take a ball from the second feeder, before turning and working their way up the pitch, running the same exercise. Players should change their position in the line.

General

L-Shaped Passing Sevens - Rugb...

Lets get the ball and the players moving with lateral passing through the hands. Each training area only needs one ball, and that ball should start with the any of the two players at the very ends of the L. Tell players to move forward, passing the ball down the line. When the ball gets to the last receiver, that player will pass it to the first receiver in the next line that is waiting to go. They should advance right away. Allow the players to simply move the ball down the line.

General

Tight & Wide Sevens - Rugby Dr...

Players start in attacking group of 3 on the 10 meter side of the grid. They pass the ball down the line at 10 meters,� attacking forward they spread out passing the ball up and down the line. They should be working at 30 meters by the time they reach the top cones. The next group should go. When finished, attacking groups should join the end of the lines at the start of the grid, ready to go again.

General

Short Passing Passing - Rugby ...

Give each training area one ball to start with and 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.

General

Loop (L1,L2,L3) Passing - Rugb...

Keep your player briefing, brief! It's important to get your players working as quickly as possible. Lets get the ball and the players moving with lateral passing through the hands. Each training area only needs one ball, and that ball should start with the any of the two players at the very ends of the L. Tell players to move forward, passing the ball down the line. When the ball gets to the last receiver, that player will pass it to the first receiver in the next line that is waiting to go. They should advance right away. Allow the players to simply move the ball down the lines, don't mention the Miss Pass. After you feel the players are comfortable, tell them...... Any player can now call an L1,L2,L3,L4 - depending on their position in the attacking line. This means that they can pass and loop round the back of the rest of the attack to collect the ball and continue the attack. An example of this would be: L2, player passes, loops around two other players, and collects the ball in attack. Allow the players to discover, though questioning, the best possible way of executing and calling the (L) move. Players should change position in the line after each run.

General

Reloading and passing practice...

Have 8-10 players standing in a line with a scrum half at the end a few metres in front.Scrum half passes the ball to a player. Passing down the line for 4-6 passes and moving forward until the ball reaches the end of the line. Not every player has to touch the ball.Then the person at the end passes a long ball back to scrum half, and they turn and do the same in the other direction.

General

Spin Passing Passing - Rugby D...

Give each training area one ball to start with and 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. When you feel that the players are executing the short pass to your satisfaction - add in more pressure by having two opposite lines run at once.

General

Beat the runner Passing - Rugb...

Passing Warm-Up The aim is put pressure on the passing down the line.

General

Pass and Support Sevens - Rugb...

Give each training area one ball and 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 advnce using laterial passing - with the last player in each line passing the ball to the first player in the opposite line. After some time (your call on how long this should be). Tell the players that, with the exception of the first player in each line, every reciever will not be able to pass the ball until touched on the shoulder by the player that passed them the ball. Every passer must follow their pass, touching the reciever on the shoulder to release the next pass. After the supporting player has made their touch, and the ball has been passed, they should return to their original channel. Players should change positions in the line following each attack.

General

Wave After Wave Warm Up - Rugb...

The front line of players run towards the other side of the grid while passing the ball down the line. When the last player in the line receives the ball the line form behind runs through and receives the ball to continue to the other side of the grid. The first wave should realign behind the second wave, when the second wave has the ball.

General

Wave After Wave Passing - Rugb...

Keep your player briefing, brief! Tell the players the following or have a demonstration group..... We have 1 scrum half, 4 runners and 3 defenders with tackle/ruck shields. The scrum half starts the attacking line by passing a ball from the ground at the first cone, to the first receiver in the attacking line. The defenders start 10 meters back and press up on the first 3 attackers, leaving the 4th attacker free. The attackers use quick hands to move the ball down the line, before the next cone. The last receiver sets the ball down, the attack line will have realigned, and the scrum half will now be on the second cone of the opposite side of the grid ready to restart the attack. The defenders rush 10 meters back and and once again press up on the first 3 attackers, leaving the 4th attacker free. They keep going until the end of the grid, turn around - and do the same working down the grid. Don't forget to change the defenders.

General

Passing Box Passing - Rugby Dr...

Tell your players the following....... There should be one group of 4 players between each cone on the four sides of the grid. The ball carrying group will advance - passing the ball down the line. When the ball gets to the last receiver in the attacking line, they will pass the ball to the first receiver in the next attacking line. Simple as that - they should keep going. All four groups must go, in any one cycle of attacks - a cycle is 4 attacks. Progression: Add in one or two defenders, have them work from side to side - rather than closing down space and - don't forget to change the defenders into attack after some time in defence.

General

4v1v1 Down the Line Decision m...

Attackers (red players) work down the channel in 4s, working the runners left and right to create space. Defenders are only allowed to defend along their line, marked out with 2 cones. Attackers run in a diamond shape, onto the ball at pace. It's key the support do not get too flat and shoud all be involved. Focus on pass target.

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

Quick Hands Relay Race Passing...

Put four cones out to make a rectangle and square 10-15 metres apart. Put two players on each cone along with two players standing in between the cones to make a line of four. On the go the player with the ball runs forward and then its quick hands down the line. When the end player gets the ball they pop to the player on the cone at other end, this player runs forward. The two players in the middle have to turn and go again, working back and forth for ten lengths.

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

Keep Passing Sevens - Rugby Dr...

Tell your players the following..... 3 players start on the right cones. The remaining 3 players will be running, they start at the top of the grid. The runner take the first ball off the player standing at the first cone, they pass it down the line while advancing to the second cone. At the same time the player on the cone, who passed the first ball, runs to the second cone on a loop to retake the ball. They remain at that cone for the runners to return. The same thing happens at the second and third cones. When the attack gets to the bottom of the grid, and they have finished all 3 lateral passing tasks - they turn and go again. Change the runners and players on the cones when you're ready.

General

Realign Into Hands - Competiti...

Three, four or five players are stood close and next to each other on a line. Set up a similar line opposite. On feeders go they drop back and wide to give an attacking line, once ready the players pass the ball with quick hands down the line. The first team to realign properly and get the ball to the end player wins.

General

A Cheeky Little Number Sevens ...

Give each training area one ball and tell the players the following...... Let's 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. Every passer must follow their pass, making themselves available as a support runner for the ball carrier. A ball carrier with a support runner has two options - a backwards flick to the support runner - or to pass the ball out to the next receiver. They may also have an additional option back inside, but best to keep it simple to start with. If a support runner receives a flicked pass, they can run with it and pass it to the next player down the line. The passer of the ball becomes the support runner. If the support runner does not receive a flick pass and the ball is passed from the player they are supporting, they should return to their original channel. In the case of a support runner becoming the next passer - they should follow their pass - and the other players should reorganize the line - not fixating on maintaining their original position in the line. Players should change positions in the line following each attack.

General

Simple Drift Defence Defensive...

3 attacks - 2 defenders Scrum half passes to first receiver of group of 3 3 attack 2 passing ball down line

General

Heads up Passing Passing - Rug...

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.

General

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