Rugby | Handling Drills

Four players per group inside a 10m x 30m Channel. Requires 10 cones and 1 ball. Two players start outside of the grid with two players inside. One of the outside players passes the ball to one of the inside players before both of the outside players (defenders) run through the red gates. The two inside players (attackers) have to try and cross the try line before the defenders can tackle them, if the attackers are too slow they will create a two 2 v 1 situation.

Coach starts with the ball and can throw the ball to either one of the outside players of the 3 players ready to play. The player in the middle always joins the player receiving the ball to play a 2v1 against the the 3rd player who becomes the defender. The attacking players run around the cone nearest to them and the defender runs in the opposite direction. When they meet inside the grid the attacking players must use the extra man to get around the defender - either by passing or taking the man on.  

15m x 35m Grid. 1 Attacker starts on the half way line of the grid, with the other two outside of the grid back to back with two defenders. On the command the one attacker runs around the red cone, with the other one running around the blue cone - likewise for the defenders. Once they have run around the cones a 3 vs 2 will develop. If the player with the ball passes immediately this will give a 3 vs 2 in the middle of the pitch.

• The aim of the drill is to develop handling in a short space.

One attacking team and one defending team. Exercise focused on decision making when in a 2 v 1 situation. Each team lines up either side of the coach On 'GO' two attackers run round one side of the playing area and one defender runs round the other side. The coach passes to one of the attackers to initiate play. The aim is for the one attacker to reach the end line of the defender's side without being tackled/intercepted by the defender.

Drill to improve short space and wide space overlap play. Set up a grid 15m wide, split into a 5m channel and a 10m channel, and 10m long (see diagram). 4 attackers (red) line up along one side, A1 and A2 within the 5m channel opposite D1(blue). A3 and A4 line up in the 10m channel opposite D2 and D3. A1 and A2 run a 2v1 against D1 in the 5m channel. When A2 receives the ball they run out of the 5m channel into the 10m channel and into a 3v2 situation linking with A3 and A4 attacking D2 and D3. D2 and D3 can't move until A2 enters the 10m channel, and to start with can only move laterally along the try line. DISCUSSION: If players are struggling to execute the 3 v 2 situation, widen the 10m channel to 15m and once they have success at this width bring the channel back to 10m wide. PROGRESSION: D2 and D3 can move off the line to put pressure on the attack once A2 enters the 10m channel.

This is a basic 2 v 2 drill to allow players to progress from a simple 2 v 1. In a channel no wider than 10m, 2 attackers have 5 attempts to score a try on the red cones. The attackers try to create space and beat the defenders by running good support and holding lines. Condition defence so that the defender marking support runner stays out and doesn't move in to defend ball carrier

Set up two 1m wide gates of cones (green and red) either side of a feeder, with a line of attackers opposite (5m away). Have a number of defenders (3) lined up behind the feeder. The first player passes the ball to the feeder then moves forward and receives a short return pass from the feeder.  On receiving the return pass he uses footwork to go through one of the gates with a support player going through the other gate. Once through the gate the ball carrier puts in a fend on the first defender and passes the ball to his support player. They go on to attack the two other defenders and try execute 2 vs 1 scenarios to get to the end of the drill

In a channel no wider than 10m, two attackers have 5 attempts to score a try on the red cones. The attackers try to create space and beat the defenders by running good support and holding lines.

This is a basic 2 vs 2 drill to allow players to progress from a simple 2 v 1. In a channel no wider than 10m, 2 attackers have 5 attempts to score a try on the red cones. The attackers try to create space and beat the defenders by running good support and holding lines.

This is a basic 2 v 2 drill to allow players to progress from a simple 2 v 1. In a channel no wider than 10m, 2 attackers have 5 attempts to score a try on the red cones. The attackers try to create space and beat the defenders by running good support and holding lines.

This is a basic 2 v 2 drill to allow players to progress from a simple 2 v 1. In a channel no wider than 10m, 2 attackers have 5 attempts to score a try on the red cones. Left attacker makes swerving run to left of defender, before making an inside pass. The right attacker starts run towards oppo defender before stepping in to take pass and bringing the right defender across. The left attacker immediately changes direction to take a flat run and scissor pass before beating the right attacker on the outside

Coach starts with the ball and can throw the ball to either one of the outside players of the 3 players ready to play. The player in the middle always joins the player receiving the ball to play a 2v1 against the the 3rd player who becomes the defender. The attacking players run around the cone nearest to them and the defender runs in the opposite direction. When they meet inside the grid the attacking players must use the extra man to get around the defender - either by passing or taking the man on.   Progression: 3v2, 4v3. 

The aim of the drill is to develop mechanisms to unlock defences in open play The first defender/feeder starts with the ball at a cone set up on the touch line five metres out from the try line Set another 2 cones 15 meters up on the same touch line. Two players (defenders of the 3v2) start from here once the 2v1 is completed. Set 2 cones on the try line 5 metres apart to create the start position for the two attackers and the attacking channel for the 2v1 The ball is fed from the first defender, with the attackers completing a 2v1 The defender joins the two attackers to create a 3v2 Two attackers then become the two defenders for the next repetition of the drill

One set of cones set wide, another set narrow opposite.  Ball    Players line up opposite each other on each cone.  Constant 2 on 1s.  One defender alternately pressurises the pass.  High temp, High pressure. 

The aim of the drill is to develop handling in a short space.

The aim of the drill is to develop handling in a short space.

3 vs 2 in a grid. Defenders must stay in position to start. Once skills progress defenders can move to try and stop attackers either by intercepting the ball or touch tackling the ball carrier.

The aim of the drill is to develop players reload speed and positioning.

Players work in groups of six, with 1 ball per group and set up in the following way: 4 attackers vs 1 defender (between the first cones) and another defender between the second set of cones. Defenders can only move sideways in an attempt to stop the attackers getting through the area.