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width DRILLS
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Catch me if you can

Up to 10 in a group. Each player should have a tag belt. Each player partners up with someone and then stand side by side. On the coach's call the players run to that sideline. If the coach calls 1 for example they have to run to the sideline before the 2s can catch them and take their belt.

Tag Rugby

Defender - Round and Realign

Tell your players the following...... There will be one ball to each group, any player can be the ball carrier. Each group will have one defender, the defenfer will not have to go around the cone. On GO, the group moves towards the closest cone.At the cone, the players spread out and attack the line at pace and with width. They should realign following the attack left, to attack again right. When the second groups sees the first group complete their first set of passes, they should begin without waiting. The defender should swap with another player in their group. Variations: Make the training area small to force quick hands. Make the training area wider to increase the length of the pass. Allow players to be creative in attack.

Passing

Fan Out and Pass

Keep your player briefing, brief! You may decide to have a demonstration grid. On your call, all players fan out to receive a pass. Players initially attack half the space in the grid, that way the lines do not cross into each others space, as you can see in the animation. Players should then attack the full width of the grid, there will be intersection and some confusion. Players stay within the grid. When they finish an attack (the ball is moved down the line), the last player to recieve the ball should score a try just outside the grid - and the line should get set in their new location to go again. Player initially rotate in a clockwise direction. Change this after a period of time. Make sure that players change position in the attacking line.

Passing

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

Pass within a channel

Tell the players the following..... This is simple, just attack from the bottom and top of the grid at pace. There can be two groups in the grid at any one time. Anyone in the line can start with the ball, and the attack should vary between lateral and creative. The ball and attack will be considered alive within the grid, so respond at all times. Players should change places within the attacking line after each attack. The starting position of the ball should change on each attack. Players should avoid contact within the grid.

Passing

Passing Box

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.

Passing

Round and Realign

Tell your players the following...... There will be one ball to each group, any player can be the ball carrier. On GO, the group moves towards the closest cone.At the cone, the players spread out and attack the line at pace and with width. They should realign following the attack left, to attack again right. When the second groups sees the first group complete their first set of passes, they should begin without waiting.

Passing

Running from Depth

No of players: 4 per grid, max. 20. Balls per group: 1.Markers: 4Grid size: 10x10.4 players line up behind each other. Front player holds ball. On front players' command the other players fan out to receive a pass. Support players must get onto a straight running line.Last player scores a try.

Agility & Running Skills

Seated start - 6 vs 4

Groups of ten with one ball per group Defenders start bunched sat on the floor Start attackers spread out (width) On the word GO! the the defenders get up and and defend. The attackers try to score. The coach varies the start point of the ball. It touched, the ball carrier must pass the ball immediately.

Decision making

Passing Width and Pace Passing...

The aim of the drill is to develop wide passing.

General

Rugby: Turnover ball - Creatin...

5 players in a group, line up within touching distance of one another, facing the coach who has a ball in his hand.The coach then calls "turnover" and the Players quickly get width, but are not allowed to work backwards to get depth.Once the players get depth the coach lets the first man off the mark by popping the ball in the air, as it is popped he moves off the mark and accelerates onto the ball and moves forward.

General

Tackle Contact Tackling - Rugb...

Players 3m apart – slightly crouched One of pair nominated as tackler On balls of feet, with feet shoulder width apart the coach calls either Right or Left.

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

Fan Out and Pass Passing - Rug...

Keep your player briefing, brief! You may decide to have a demonstration grid. On your call, all players fan out to receive a pass. Players initially attack half the space in the grid, that way the lines do not cross into each others space, as you can see in the animation. Players should then attack the full width of the grid, there will be intersection and some confusion. Players stay within the grid. When they finish an attack (the ball is moved down the line), the last player to recieve the ball should score a try just outside the grid - and the line should get set in their new location to go again. Player initially rotate in a clockwise direction. Change this after a period of time. Make sure that players change position in the attacking line.

General

Tackle Approach Tackling - Rug...

Players 3m apart – slightly crouched One of pair nominated as tackler On balls of feet, with feet shoulder width apart the coach calls either Right or Left.

General

Speed passing, scoring wide an...

Any number of players can be used. Make the distance between each pass shorter for lower ability groups. Excellent develop ability to move ball wide at speed. Developed ability to pass a full speed, in different positions and under pressure. The runner provides super competition and feedback to players. Past ball down the line quickly then realigning using full width. End man fall down on the 1st cone and then goes round the 2nd came to become the defender. 30 m in width and 5 players. Realign early using whole width and path while at full speed. The aim is to get the ball to winger in Cone zone before defender gets there.

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

Seated start - 6 vs 4 Decision...

Groups of ten with one ball per group Defenders start bunched sat on the floor Start attackers spread out (width) On the word GO! the the defenders get up and and defend. The attackers try to score. The coach varies the start point of the ball. It touched, the ball carrier must pass the ball immediately.

General

Evasion Skills Sevens - Rugby ...

Tell the players the following..... The player on the top of the grid is the defender. The player on the bottom is the attacker. When the defender passes the ball to the attacker, the attack begins. Using footwork and other evasion skills the attacker should score a try. That's it, play. Give the players a number of chances each - changing the attacker and defender. When you feel they are doing well, decrease the width of the grid by 1 meter. Keep decreasing until the players are at the limit of their ability to evade contact.

General

Quick hand and quick positioni...

4 players work together in a 6x6m grid. Players attack each line of the square, from the inside. Once they get to the 4th man they move onto the next closest line to the ball carrier. All the players in support must get into a good position to receive the ball deep and work onto the ball straight towards the line. Players keep going until they finish the last line of the grid.

General

Rugby: Positioning, passing an...

5 players in a group line up within touching distance of one another, and stand facing the coach who has a ball in his hand. The coach then calls turnover and the Players quickly get width, but are not allowed to work backwards to get depth. Once the players get depth the coach lets the first man off the mark by popping the ball in the air, as it is popped he moves off the mark and accelerates onto the ball and forward.

General

Attack until youre tackled Off...

Playing area of 25m in length - adjust width to suit numbers- equal numbers in both teams Full LEG tackles ONLY - ball carrier when tackled can off load immediately or IF no support present when support arrives - game continues until knock or forward pass occurs. When a try is scored the try scorer turns to attack the other try line game continues playing the opposite way. No rucks or mauls.

General

Tackle Approach Tackling - Rug...

Players 3m apart – slightly crouched One of pair nominated as tackler On balls of feet, with feet shoulder width apart the coach calls either Right or Left.

General

Corner line Tag Tag Rugby - Ru...

The aim is that when the coach signals the start the defending players will spread across to the other side of the field quickly and defend the entire field width. Explain to the players the importance of spreading out and defending in a line.Game Organisation and Rules The aim of this game is to get the defending team to understand the importance of spreading out in defence. This game is aprogression of Line Tag. Set up a narrow rectangle approximately 10m wide x 5m long. Split the players into 2 even teams and get them to face each other on opposite 10 meter lines. Explain to the players that 1 team will be attacking and their task is to get across the opposition line without being tagged (2 handed tag). The defending team are told to line up at one corner of the field and when signalled by the coach they are to attempt to tag the attacking players before they get across the line. As the game develops the attackers will naturally start on the side furthest away to the defenders, to stop this place the fastest runners on the side closest to the defenders. Explain to the attackers about the idea of changing running gale to step the defenders. <div id=miniAd>R1</div>

General

Tackling 2 Tackling - Rugby Dr...

Close down space quickly, make yourself big, keep moving forward with short steps, stay balanced, take contact, grip tight.

General

Round and Realign Passing - Ru...

Tell your players the following...... There will be one ball to each group, any player can be the ball carrier. On GO, the group moves towards the closest cone.At the cone, the players spread out and attack the line at pace and with width. They should realign following the attack left, to attack again right. When the second groups sees the first group complete their first set of passes, they should begin without waiting.

General

Pass to Hip Right and Left Sid...

Good for warm ups and co-ordination, getting used to keeping your body straight on and handling the ball and practicing using your arms to pass the ball rather than the whole body moving. 2 balls, 2 players Players stand 2 or 3 metres apart facing each other holding a ball on opposite hips (one on right and one on left). Work for 30-40 seconds on pushing the ball and passing from the hips to the other players chest; passes are made at the same time so coordination is key and the pass received must be returned from the same hip it was received.

General

Rugby: Running into space from...

2 groups of 2 players start on set cones about 15m apart. The 2 players are situated one in behind the other, the same goes for the second set of 2 players. Once the player with the ball starts to run, the supporter goes wide and straightens onto a gate of cones. As soon as he passes the ball the second supporter can start to move out to his designated gate. Ensure that the players hide behind one another!

General

Pass to Hip Right and Left Sid...

Good for warm ups and co-ordination, getting used to keeping your body straight on and handling the ball and practicing using your arms to pass the ball rather than the whole body moving. 2 balls, 2 players Players stand 2 or 3 metres apart facing each other holding a ball on opposite hips (one on right and one on left). Work for 30-40 seconds on pushing the ball and passing from the hips to the other players chest; passes are made at the same time so coordination is key and the pass received must be returned from the same hip it was received.

General

Round and Realign Passing - Ru...

On GO, the group moves towards the cone, pop passing between all players in close proximity.At the cone, the players spread out and attack the line at pace and with width.

General

Passing Underhand Sideways Pas...

&quot;Out the back door&quot; passing with a spin elementPairs work on one handed passing underneath the arm. Players stand opposite each other about 3-4m away. One player will take a few steps forward, then pass back and sideways to their partner.

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

width SESSIONS
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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

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

Effective Counter Attacking - Options after a Turnover

Can your team counter quickly? A speedy attack after a turnover is a great way for your team to score as the opposition will be out of position

Sevens Rugby: Attacking the Space - Pass, Follow and Support

Get your players to use the width of the pitch and play intelligently, offering wide support options in this sevens rugby session.

Defensive blowout - Fitness games session

Banish dull fitness exercises with.this competitive and physically demanding session - working on tacking, fitness and players' ability to close down space

Running Lines and Fixing Defenders

Create doubt in the defender's mind by getting your ball carrier to run straight with the ball, and support runners to run good lines to create depth and width

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!

Spatial Awareness and Attacking the Space

Change channel to find space with this week's using the full width of the pitch scanning and heads up attacking session
width ANSWERS
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My team takes 15min to really start playing...

My team takes 15min to really start playing... what should I do? These are high school boys that have never played the sport before. After a few games, they play really well in the 2nd half but by that time we are down 2 or 3 tries. Is it a warmup issue? Nerves? Any ideas?

Mike McD Coach, Canada

Getting the team ready / fired up before kick off.

Does anyone have any good hints / tips / suggestions for getting a team (Under 18's Male Rugby team) fired up before the game? The problem we are having is the boys don't switch on to the game 10 / 15 / 20minutes into it. We start 1 hour before kick off with a dynamic warm up, drills, moves for the day then back in 10mins before kick off to put shirts on and captains words, then out for kick off.

Archived User Coach

Not sure if this question has been asked...but is drift?

Not sure if this question has been asked...but is drift defence REALLY the BEST way to combat the fullback entering the line?

Archived User Coach

Teaching a player cues for a halfback pass,(passing?

What could you teach a player cues for the halfback pass,(passing from the ground)?

Archived User Coach

hi i am coaching younger players and they don't have?

hi i am coaching younger players and they don't have much experience playing rugby, the ages are from 10 to 14 years old they don't have a lot of skill but thats ok , but the problem i have is how to get them not to all go for the ball and full into one big heap. is there drills to manage them to more toward a rugby shape and to get them to hold thier width. thank you

Archived User Coach

Hi Guys Though we all fully enjoyed it, We have just?

Hi Guys Though we all fully enjoyed it, We have just lost a tournament - mainly because the forwards were not offloading in contact and were getting turned over. Does anyone have a forwards type game I can use with the boys to play instead of drills, to strengthen their skills in this area? The team is a under 12 group. And I have 14 forwards. Thanks for you help in advance. Cheers Iain

Iain Hughes Coach, England

What are some simple drills for touch rugby?

Hi I am a new 19 year old coach, it is my first time coaching and currently am looking after a year 3/4 team for touch rugby. I was wondering if anyone could give me some simple drills to help build the students passing and spreading out skills for touch rugby

Zac Coach, New Zealand

Italian mini rugby rules?

I am hoping to take our U11-U12 team to a mini rugby tournament in Italy in May. What are the main rule differences between UK and Italian mini rugby at this age group?

Coach, Northern Ireland

How can I improve my team's line speed in defence?

How can I improve my team's line speed in defence? Are there any drills which can help me?

michael klieve Coach, England

Team warm up drills that incorporates all the backs

Looking for some drills that use all 7 backs for pre match warm up. Something that we can use other than running through moves Asked using Sportplan Mobile App

Stewart Ley Coach, England

what are the tens rugby basics you need to learn

what are basics to playing tens rugby,attacking,defence and set piece

Archived User Coach

bunching

How to stop bunching

Craig Thomas Coach, Wales

Tag Rugby Defence drills for kids

Hi, I'm coaching Tag rugby in Japan for ages 8-9yrs. Tryingto help kids stay in a defensive line and not group towards ball. Looking for drill ideas

James Hickling Coach, Japan

Tackler

Get on feet without using knees ?

Krappie Odendaal Coach, South Africa

U8s crowding the ball | Sportp...

Hey all,Can anyone suggest some drills or tips to try and help my under 8s from crowding the ball carrier, We are finding that all of the team huddle around the ball carrier at Starts / Restarts. I dont want to keep stopping play to tell them that huddling around the ball carrier is not creating the space they need as i sound like a broken record.Any suggestions very welcome.Cheers

Matt Osborne Coach, England

i need ideas for putting toget...

i need ideas for putting together a coaching session for under 9 rugby

Archived User Coach

My U11's are a mixed bunch whe...

My U11's are a mixed bunch when it comes to tackling. Some very good, most OK, some ...hmmmm... enough said. Been through all the drills and when we break things down, go back to basics, everything appears OK, but it doesn't always transfer into the game. Any ideas on small group games that will allow me to combine technique with confidence?

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

Introduce the need of depth | ...

I'm a Portuguese Under 14 rugby coach. I have some difficulty on finding a way to coach depth of support players. Is there a simplified game I can use in a session to introduce the need of depth, so they can understand by playing, instead of me just telling the players what to do? Help me if you can, please.

Archived User Coach

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