Rugby: Relays

Start with 2 players on the centre cone, each with a ball, and facing each other.

1. On the shout "GO", they both run backwards to the first cone
2. They then side step up the grid to the second cone
3. Next players run through the slalom cones back to the start where the ball is passed to the next players
4. Next players can only go when each player has received a ball (to ensure each race is fair).

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.

Tell the players the following....

1. Player 1 starts with the ball.
2. Player 1 passes the ball to player 2 and then quickly moves off their cone and runs to the cone where player 2 is and back to their cone.
3. Player 2 then passes to player 3, follows the pass to the position of player 3 and back to their starting position.
4. Change your passing hand each time
5. The aim is to for the players to be back in their starting position before the ball returns back, but main thing is that they provide a good pass to the receiving player.

Divide the players so that they are spread equally between 8 points (4 corners of a square, and 4 more at the midpoints. Each ball carrier runs across the square to the opposite point and passes the ball to the next waiting player