Contact Help center
Rugby Rugby
HOME Rugby SEARCH

Rugby: press

press DRILLS
View All

Beat the defence

Offensive players (blue), line out in one deep line while the defence (red) line up opposite in a straight line, slightly inside player from the player that they are marking. The offence will attempt to pass the ball across the line at speed. Defenders will move up to stop them but do not tackle, simply press. This teachers the attackers to pass under pressure, as they try to pass across the line without making any mistakes.

Handling

Find the space

Players run in any direction in the grid trying to avoid contact by running into space. When the teacher calls stop, all players must be at least 1m from the next nearest player. Pass the ball around your back at the same time. Option: throw the ball in the air and catch as you run around

Handling

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

Individual Skills

Move the ball in a figure of 8 round your legs Pass the ball round your back. Who can pass the ball around their back 5 times the fastest ?. Throw the ball in the air and clap before you catch it. Who can make the highest number of claps ?

Handling

Leave No Man Behind

Players start in the bottom right corner and on the command sprint as a group before doing 5 press ups. They advance as a defensive line, moving as fast as the slowest player. They never leave a player behind. They then side step (push as a defensive line) left to the next set of cones to do 5 sit ups before sprinting to do press ups. The group follow this routine until the end before the next group go.

Agility & Running Skills

Round the circle Passing

Each group forms a circle with players about 1m apart. First practise passing and catch around the circle. Next, the first player to pass runs around the outside of the circle. The player races against the ball to return to his/her start position.

Passing

Running Warm Up

Tell players the following.... Each Player will work individually, unless told otherwise. Players can run in any direction: moving forward or side to side. They must remain within the grid trying to avoid contact by running into space, sidestepping for example. They will have a ball each. When the coach calls stop, all players must be at least 1m from the nearest player. From time to time players will be ask to do things e.g. 1 press-up. Following completing the instruction - players should keep moving. You will be asked to pass your ball - before doing anything make sure you communicate with another player, you agree to pass to each other, and then you make the pass! This part of your warm-up should be no more than five minutes.

Warm Up

Simple Passing Grid

Brief your players one what you would like them to do. Start the activity by having all players pass the ball around the grid in any direction, they should moving around the grid as they do so. The only restriction is that they must pass in order 1 - 2, 2 - 3, 3 - 4, 4 - 5, 5 - 1 and so. Progress this exercise by having player 1 become a defender. The other players move the ball to avoid being touched by the defender. So in this example the ball would move in the following sequence: 2, 3, 4, 5, 2, 3, 4, 5. After some time, change the defender. Player 2 should now be the defender, the passing sequence changes to: 1, 3, 4, 5, 1, 3, 4, 5 etc. Progress this exercise further by choosing random defenders, attackers will quickly need to work out the passing sequence. If attackers get the passing sequence wrong, they do 1, 2, 3 etc. press ups - the defender does not.

Passing

Square - Improve reactions

Players stand on a blue cone. On Go, the player passes the ball and sprints out to the nearest cone in the middle then back steps back to the next blue cone in line.

Handling

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

Press Up Position Sevens - Rug...

Tell the players the following...... They should advance in 2's. Hit in on the bag with their shoulder, driving forward and placing their hands on the ground in a press-up position over the ball. They then clear the area, and the pads reset for the next hit.

General

Ruck - PRESS UP - PART 2 Seven...

Tell the players the following...... The first group of 3 go first. The first player hits in on the bag with their shoulder, driving forward and placing their hands on the ground in a press-up position over the ball.The second player covers him, and the third acts as a SH moving the ball to the next set of 3. The next 3 player unit does the same, moving the ball back to the first 3 player unit - which should have reset ready to go again.

General

Ruck Organisation and press Ru...

5-7 players run around in a rectangle shaped grid. They must move very fast within it awaiting the whistle, but they are not allowed to touch the other players. Once the whistle goes they must occupy the closest cone to them, facing the coach. Then they must shift, heavies to the inside and speedsters to the outside. On the next whistle they then press in one line.

General

Press-up Agility & Running Ski...

General

Beat the defence Passing - Rug...

Offensive players (blue), line out in one deep line while the defence (red) line up opposite in a straight line, slightly inside player from the player that they are marking. The offence will attempt to pass the ball across the line at speed. Defenders will move up to stop them but do not tackle, simply press. This teachers the attackers to pass under pressure, as they try to pass across the line without making any mistakes.

General

Ruck n Roller Sevens - Rugby D...

Tell the players the following...... The first group of 3 go first. The first player, the ball carrier, hits in on the pad and rolls off the bag, taking contact on the second defender and going to ground to place the ball. The defender can try to steel the ball. The second player hits in on the defender with their shoulder, driving forward and placing their hands on the ground in a press-up position over the ball and player on the ground, the third acts as a SH moving the ball to the next set of 3. The next 3 player unit does the same, moving the ball back to the first 3 player unit - which should have reset ready to go again.

General

SWITCH 1 Backs Moves - Rugby D...

See the diagram for suggested starting positions. 10 carried the ball forward, inviting the defence to press up. 10 cuts in. 12 presses up and cuts in towards 10 on a switch. 10 passes to 12 on the switch. 12 hits at an angle before straightening up. 15/13/14 provide support, 15 provide close support.

General

ENTER 4 Backs Moves - Rugby Dr...

10 carried the ball forward, inviting the defence to press up. 11 runs a decoy line. 10 passes to 12. 15 runs a line between 12 and 13, see diagram. 12 miss-passes to 13, skipping 15. 13 runs an over before taking the ball. 14 runs a supporting line for the ball carrier.

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

Push Push 3 Sevens - Rugby Dri...

Tell the players the following...... When the attack advances the defenders PRESS UP on the attack. The attackers must pass the ball down the line, no inside passes. The defenders PUSH/DRIFT across pushing the attack towards the sideline. When the attack reaches the end of the grid, if it reaches the end - the attack turn and sets - as does the defence. The exercise restarts. This is a full contact exercise. Don't forget to switch defenders into attack.

General

ULSTER Backs Moves - Rugby Dri...

Use the diagram as a starting point for players. 10 advances carrying the ball, inviting the defence to press up on the attack. 12 and 13 advance, 13 cutting in towards the 12 and drawing their defender in. 11 loops around, planning to enter outside 13. 10 passes to 12. 12 miss passes to 11. 15 should have advanced from behind the 13 and up. 11 passes to 15. 14 provides outside support.

General

Leave No Man Behind Warm Up - ...

Players start in the bottom right corner and on the command sprint as a group before doing 5 press ups. They advance as a defensive line, moving as fast as the slowest player. They never leave a player behind. They then side step (push as a defensive line) left to the next set of cones to do 5 sit ups before sprinting to do press ups. The group follow this routine until the end before the next group go.

General

ENTER 3 Backs Moves - Rugby Dr...

10 carried the ball forward, inviting the defence to press up. 11 runs a decoy line. 10 passes to 12. 15 runs a line between 12 and 13, see diagram. 12 miss-passes to 13, skipping 15. 13 runs an under before taking the ball. 14 runs a supporting line for the ball carrier.

General

Clapping Game Passing - Rugby ...

Tell your players the following. Lets just get the ball moving clockwise for a while, just to get the ball moving through the hands. After a minute or two, lets switch the direction of the ball. After another minute, tell them the ball can go in any direction, but...... The receiver must clap once before catching the ball - and the passing player must move the ball within 5 seconds. The passer can dummy, and if a receiver claps they must do one or more press-ups. If the receiver doesn't clap and receives a ball - they must do one or more press-ups following their pass. You can also play this game using a word like RUGBY. Each time a play makes a mistake they get a letter. The loser is the first player to get all the letters that spell RUGBY. Some teams and coaches have more interesting and colorful words to spell - I'll leave this to you. Have fun with this!

General

STATIC 1 Backs Moves - Rugby D...

See the diagram for suggested starting positions. 10 and 12 remain static, the other players are in motion, offering options. 10 and 12 invite the defence to press up at speed. 10 passes to 12. 11 cuts in on 12's shoulder. 12 passes to 11. 15 and 13 provide alternative options.

General

ENTER 1 Backs Moves - Rugby Dr...

Use the diagram to help with players starter positions, but feel free to experiment. 10 carries the ball forward, inviting the opposition defence to press up. 12 runs forward, at pace. 11 runs between 10 and 12, providing a decoy. They could even overrun the ball, allowing 10 to pass behind 11. 10 passes to 12. 15 runs forward, then changes their angle of run to a fast run off the outside shoulder of 12. 12 passes to 15 as close to the defensive line as possible.

General

M1 (13 MISSED, 14 UNDER) Backs...

See the diagram for suggested starting positions. 10 moves forward with the ball, drawing the defence to press. 10 passing to 12, 12 is moving forward. 13 presses up fast, overrunning the ball, but only just. 14 presses up, running an under. 12 throws a miss-pass to 14. Be careful of an interception. 15 supports 14, providing an inside option.

General

Leinster Backs Moves - Rugby D...

Use the diagram as a starting point for players. 10 advances carrying the ball, inviting the defence to press up on the attack. Optional, 11 could provide a decoy option. 10 passes to 12, who advances onto the ball. 10 loops around 12, decoy. 12 carries the ball forward. 13 runs a supporting line on 12, closing the space between the players. 12 miss-passes the ball behind 13 to 14. 14 advances with the ball, supported by 15.

General

Breakdown Touch Game Match Rel...

Set up an area for a normal game of touch, with teams split evenlyPlay goes as normal, but when there is a touch, the ball carrier goes to ground and presents the ballThe player that made the touch then gets to the floor in a press up position, as does a second attackerWhen both are down, they contest at the breakdownPlay carries on with the same team that were in possession

General

123 Play Divots Warm Up - Rugb...

 The Moles want to turn the cones onto their head, and the Green-keepers want the cones the right way up. Let the kids play, you can start the game by shouting '123 Play Divots!'. After playing for some time, lets find out who is winning - but don't take too long counting. Now tell the players that they must do one press-up before turning a cone - let the game start again. Play for another minute or two.

General

Round the circle Passing Passi...

Each group forms a circle with players about 1m apart. First practise passing and catch around the circle. Next, the first player to pass runs around the outside of the circle. The player races against the ball to return to his/her start position.

General

Connaught yBacks Moves - Rugby...

Carries the ball forward, inviting the defence to press up. 10 Passes to 12. 10 loops around 12 following their pass, 10 should aim to draw attention to their run, they are a decoy. 11 presses up, and and then at speed changes the angle of their run, hitting the inside shoulder of 12. This pass should be as close to the opposition defence as possible. 12 passes to 11, 11 take on an angle. Think about what will happen next. Could 12 cancel and offer an outside ball to 10, could 11 pass to 13 and then out via the rest of the back-line. It's vital that your team makes this move your own!

General

Pole Position Sevens - Rugby D...

Tell the players the following..... Each player has four tackle bags and six balls, the winner is the player that knocks down the most bags - you cannot leave their cone and must knock the bags down by passing. If you find that the bags are too heavy - you can amend the game by placing balls on the top of the bags, the passers must knock them off.

General

7's Colour Touch Sevens - Rugb...

Tell your players the following..... The attack will remain in attack for 5 minutes, you'll then switch over. Normal rules of sevens apply, but this game will be touch to start with. When the ball carrier is touched, they must set the ball down, another player can then move it from the ground. The touch is considered a ruck. When the coach calls a defenders colour e.g. RED - the two players in defence wearing red drop to the ground and complete 3 press-ups, they can then return to their feet and are back in the game. That's it, play. Keep your player chats brief, but through questioning highlight that the downed players in defence open up space, what do we attack - SPACE!

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

Crouch Tackle Tackling - Rugby...

Players stand 5 metres apart, only the attacking player moves in this drill, the tackler remains still as their partner approaches. As the player gets close the tackler should keep their head up and engage the runner with either their left or right shoulder. Holding around their knees tightly and driving with their shoulder they should allow the player to fall over their shoulder to floor.

General

Unfortunately there were no results for your search! Please try again
press DRILL CATEGORIES
View All
Decision making Drills
Sevens Drills
Decision making Drills
Sevens Drills
press SESSIONS
View All

Developing Invasive Attacking Skills!

Improve your players decision making to help them recognise where the space will develop and how they can maximise their success when they create the space, either by going into contact and offloading, or passing before the tackle.

Contact Skills in the Tackle

Instil confidence and tackle toughness into your players with this tackling from the front, side and back session! Build their knowledge of the benefits of tackling and how different type of tackle can determine the way the phase plays out.

The Zones Game

Use this fantastic drill in your next coaching session today and get ready to work your players hard

Improving your Passing Skills

Get your players passing accurately and with variety in this session

Developing Handling Skills

Get your players handling skills super sharp so that no loose balls are given up. Gradually build up pressure to test their handling ability when confronted with defence.

Defensive Skills: Contest Possession

Pile the pressure on the oppositions attack with this defensive skills session. Get them scanning the attack to put pressure on the ball carrier and anticipate the attack.

Contact: Rucking technical session

Master the ?Smash? and the ?Roll? rucking technique so that when the pressure is on and a clear decision needs to be made, clearing the ruck becomes second nature to your players.

Attacking - Part 2

Work on your players composure when going into contact to be able to provide the offload to create scoring chances even when under pressure.

Developing Kicking Skills - the Punt Kick

Make sure all of your players can kick the perfect Punt, with this kicking skills session

Pre-season Burner

Are you up to it physically yet? Really feel the burn with this session and push your team hard! You will really feel the benefits after!

Dynamic Passing and Movement

Improve your player's confidence in a pressure-free environment, with this passing and moving session!

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!

Attacking Principal: Developing Passing and Support Play

Develop your team's attacking abilities with this session, working on their passing and support for their team-mates

Maintaining Possession

Maintain possession and go forward with confidence, with this attacking session

Jackal at the Tackle - Technique and Confidence Session

Can your players tackle and jackal? Use this session to introduce your players to the jackal and improve their technique in 1v1 and game situations

Developing the Maul

Work on your team's maul technique with this session, improving their current ability to create, secure and defend the maul
press ANSWERS
View All

I am training a back row forward in rugby union need?

I am training a back row forward in rugby union need to improve his speed off the mark any suggestions

francis11 Coach, Wales

Changing the size on my Chalkboard sketch?

Can I make the sketch chalkboard larger?

Brian Hilvert Coach, United Arab Emirates

How to convert plans from Word documents

Archived User Coach

How Do I Change My Cards Expiry Date?

Steven Portplan Coach, England

How do I crop my Chalkboard sketch?

Steven Portplan Coach, England

Upper and lower body workouts

Hi I was just wondering what the best upper and lower body workouts would be for rugby. It would be great if you know some good ones and get back to me. Cheers Asked using Sportplan Mobile App

Liam Manley Coach, England

Sportplan videos not loading

Problems loading videos, when I press play on sportplan videos they just show as a picture but timer below is still going.

Janis Coach, England

U8s staying on side and use of space

I am currently coaching an U8s tag team, is ther any drills to teach them to stay onside after a tag and to stay spread out as they seem to bunch very quickly

Tony Bunyan Coach, England

Getting a straight defensive line and speed

Hi. I coach a B level under 12 team at school with very mixed abilities. I cant get my boys to get up in a defensive line together or even come up in defense. Any drill very much appreciated.

James Pattinson Coach, Australia

Animation and how to catch the ball

How do you get a player to catch the ball Asked using Sportplan Mobile App

Matt Griffin Coach, Wales

Error Message for editing sketch

Hello, I have a sketch that I want to continue animating. But when I try to access the file in my folder, I get an error message and it won't let me edit the file. I have attached a screenshot of the issue. Hope it can be addressed, I spent a good amount of time on the press and would like to avoid starting over and having the same issue arise. Thank you!

Shanna Vitale Coach, United States of America

Videos not loading

Not all the videos are loading, for part of thm nothing happened when I press the play button. See attached vefore and after pressing the button

Costin Moga Coach, Romania

Multiple sports

I would like to know how I can enter more that one sports in my account because it only comes with netball and tried to log out and then when I did it still had only netball.

Leila Davis Coach, United Kingdom

chalk board

where do you find animation/ chalkboard

Jeremiah lai Coach, New Zealand

Adding info to plan created from Clipboard

How can I update the details on a plan - venue - etc on a plan created from a clip board

Cormac Smith Coach, Ireland

cancel my membership

Hi I would like to cancel my membership. I've tried to press the cancel button online and it doesn't work. could someone please contact me. I no longer want to have this membership. thanks

Renee Forward Coach, Australia

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

Looking for drills to improve ...

We have recently formed a new under 10s team. Out of the team , roughly half have played before, and the other half are new to the game. We played Sunday and were well beaten , although the side we played has a very good reputation for being a good side. I do see promise though in our team, it's just the organisational side that needs attention. Example, keeping our players from bunching, realigning in defence, etc. after doing the coaching course, I am we'll aware of trying not to pigeonhole players into positions, but I think they need this to help them organise themselves easier. Are there any drills to help with the above? Cheers, Chris.

christopher jenkins Coach, Wales

Hi all. I am the coach for the...

Hi all. I am the coach for the U12s and we are about to enter a tournament this W/E. Does anyone have any pre planned simple fun drills that will link together to keep the players occupied between the Matches? Cheers Iain

Iain Hughes Coach, England

JOIN SPORTPLAN FOR FREE

  • search our library of 1100+ rugby drills
  • create your own professional coaching plans
  • or access our tried and tested plans
STAY CONNECTED

in more ways than one

sportplan_rugby
LATEST FROM THE BLOG
5 Ways to Kickstart 2025 with Sportplan

5 Ways to Kickstart 2025 with Sportplan

Here are the 5 ways that you can kickstart your 2025 in the correct way with Sportplan and make this the best coaching year you have had!

December 31st, 2024
|
Cam Hughes
History Of The Modern Olympics and Its Cultural Significance

History Of The Modern Olympics and Its Cultural Significance

How did the Modern Olympics originally begin and why are they so culturally significant today?

July 25th, 2024
|
Cam Hughes
The Professionalisation of Netball

The Professionalisation of Netball

The Professionalisation of Netball is changing the game. Here is how it is helping to develop the sport.

July 17th, 2024
|
Lucy Chatwin
VISIT THE BLOG TO READ MORE
Rugby POPULAR SEARCH TERMS
passingdefencejunior backline drillsunder 8lineoutlines of runningtouch rugbytag rugbytackletouchscrumwarm uprucksevenstackling7fitnessmaultagrucking

What our users have been saying...

Coaches from around the world look to Sportplan for coaching confidence.

Sportplan rugby has played a large role in my team's love for the game!

Heather Weston Rugby Coach, United States

I am so pleased with all of the drills and advice on rugby. I am a player for my local club and we don't have a coach at the moment so I, as a senior player, am filling that gap. With your help, the team has been able to improve our skills.

Mokie Tau Rugby Coach, Papua New Guinea

Your tips and session ideas have really brought some interest back to our rugby training. The players and I now really enjoy our training sessions.

Eifion Highes Rugby Coach, United Kingdom

Wow what a great website, I have found sportplan an important tool for me when planning my netball sessions with my netball team. There are alot of very helpful tips/ideas/skills that I can learn and teach to my team. Thank you sportplan I hope to continue to use your helpful tips and to learn more about improving my teams netball skills. Thanks again....keep it up....

Monique New Zealand

I have been using Sportplan now for 3 years and can honestly say that I have never repeated the same session twice. My girls are always focused and are improving every year. Thanks Sportplan.

Debbie Cross Australia

What a fantastic tool. The Chalkboard and session tools make an unbelievable difference in making training plans in both time and organization. I will be instructing all of my assistant coaches that this tool must be used for all sessions during the season, so that we may build a club coaching resource library.

Wes Campbell Rugby Coach Canada

I can't get enough of the Sportplan, It has given me back the enthusiasm i was starting to lose. My girls are so keen and are ready at 14 to take the next up in their game. Sportplan will help no end.

Cornel Basketball Coach, South Africa

SIGN UP NOW FOR FREE

  • search our library of 1100+ rugby drills
  • create professional rugby coaching plans
  • or access our tried and tested rugby plans

Sportplan App

Give it a try - it's better in the app

SPORTPLAN USES COOKIES

Sportspeople like cookies too! By continuing to browse, you are agreeing to our use of cookies. More info

Privacy Policy
We are committed to privacy and support current industry initiatives to preserve individual privacy rights on the Internet. Protecting your privacy on-line is an evolving area and this website will constantly evolve to meet these demands.


Cookies
Some of our web pages utilise "cookies". A "cookie" is a small text file that may be used, forexample, to collect information about web site activity. Some cookies and other technologies may serve to recallPersonal Information previously indicated by a web user. Most browsers allow you to control cookies, includingwhether or not to accept them and how to remove them.

Some cookies are necessary for the operation of our website, if you choose to block them some aspects of the site may not work for you. Non necessary cookies are only set when you have given your explicit consent to their use. Such cookies included those set by our statistics package Google Analytics.

We use cookies to personalise content and ads, to provide social media features and to analyse our traffic. We also share information about your use of our site with our social media, advertising and analytics partners who may combine it with other information that you've provided to them or that they've collected from your use of their services.

More info
Rugby POPULAR SEARCH TERMS
3 v 2 7 counter rucking defence defense fitness football forward drills junior  backline drills lesson plans line out lineout lineout drills lines of running maul passing ruck rucking rugby scrum scrum machine search sevens tackle tackling tag tag rugby touch under 8 warm up
YOUR SESSION IS STARTING SOON... Join the growing community of rugby coaches plus 1100+ drills and pro tools to make coaching easy.
LET'S DO IT