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Rugby: One v One

I am so pleased with all of the drills and advice on rugby. I am a...

Mokie, Rugby Coach

DESCRIPTION

Coach calls out a number/colour and that pair of players reacts, have the players decide who is the defender and who is the attack - this should change each time. One player attacks, and the other defends. The attacker will be carrying the ball.
Keep the tempo of the exercise high.

COACHING POINTS

You don't need to focus on any or all of the following coaching points, you may have your own. If youu do decide to use these coaching points, pick the ones that are most appropriate to your session.

The ball carrier should be positive in attack, going forward.
The ball carrier uses changes in foot speed to beat the defenders.
The ball carrier uses side steps and spins when possible and necessary.
The attack draws the defender away from the space they wish to attack.
There is evidence that the ball carrier is not only reacting to what they see, but is shaping the attack.
The defender should track the attacker.
The defender should close down the space between them and the attacker, but needs to be carefull that forward speed does not compromise their ability to track and change direction.
The defender should push from the inside out, using the grid/touch line as a second defender.
The defender should make their body big, arms out - to herd the attacker.
There is no reason why the defender should not use their voice, within reason. Anything that confuses or distracts the attack is worthwhile.

PROGRESSION

Start with no contact (on one handed or two handed touch), then have the defender try to stop and hold the attacker, and finish with full contact is you feel the players are warm enough and that contact of this nature is appropriate to your session.

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OFTEN USED WITH...

One on One Race

Tell the players: The player in possession of the ball when the coach blows their whistle has to run around the cone at the end of the grid to try and run the full length of the grid to score a try. The player from the opposition in line with the player that is running can try to stop the player scoring by running around the cone and tagging the runner before they reach the line.

For tag rugby players, provide all players with tags. In other variations decide on touch or contact, depending on how warm the players are - and your training goals.
Provide coaching on the go with encouraging feedback.

Warm Up

Diamond Geezer

In fours players are moving up a channel. The support runner (blue player in the animation) calls themselves into the line, receives a pass, offloads and repeats down the second channel.

Ideally you would like your players to form a diamond: a ball carrier, support running left, support running right, and a support runner behind who can come onto the ball at any angle.

When the first group leaves the first channel, the second group should begin. That way there will always be activity.

Players should change their positions in the diamond.

Warm Up

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.

Warm Up