Rugby: Handling starter skill games

Set up a channel with two sets of defenders working in pairs inside. Three attacking players start with the ball and run around the far cone, realigning as they run around the cone. Players then play out the 3v2. After this first 3v2 the attackers must move the ball quickly and play out the second 3v2.

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.

The player with the ball rolls the ball out for a player to run onto and collect whilst moving. They then pass the ball back before replacing the player that rolled the ball out. The player that rolled the ball out runs to join the back of the queue.

 The aim of the drill is to develop ball carrying in a contact zone.

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. 

6x6m Grid  Ball  Players line up in 3s opposite sides of the grid.  Simply pass the ball along the line.  1 defender is in the middle of the grid putting pressure on all ball carriers. Once hand completed the next line starts immediately.  Defender swaps out when there is a mistake or when he touches someone with the ball.  Progression: add another defender, make the passes wider. 

Cones  Ball 3 channels of different widths are lined up next to eachother 3 attackers and 2 defender run around opposing cones before attacking each other.  Defenders must put pressure on but be passive as will ruin the drill if they disrupt the play. Running around the corner will encourage the attackers to realign, and adapt to the different space requirements.

Groups 18 Balls  Cones Groups of 4 line up on all sides of the square. 2 defenders tand in the middle of the grid.  The attackers start by fixing and beating the 2 defenders in the middle.  Once beaten offload the ball to the next 4 attacking a differnt direction.  Aim is to score as many tries as possibel in a set time.

Set a cone 2 meters from the defensive line. This will mark where the ball will passed from (feed) preferably from a scrum half. Set a cone 0.5 meters each side from the mid point of the passing cone to simulate the sides of the ruck. Set a cone a cone 5 meters from the ruck on the defensive line.  4 players start as attackers 3 defenders start on their stomaches on the other side of the defensive cone (ruck) and 1 player on the defensive cone 5 metres from the ruck The player on the 5 meter cone (defence) starts the drill by shouting ‘FOLD’ (or whatever call your team may use). Defenders on their stomachs get up and fold around the ruck to take up a defence position. Players fold wide first, and ensure that 2 players are close to the ruck (Guard and Body Guard). The player on the defensive cone bounces out (takes space in the defence line), the first player who folds takes up a position on the 5 meter defence cone (or inside the first attacking player) Once the defence line is set the scrum half can pass the ball. The attackers work to beat the defence, setting up a 'tip' (running a hard line) and 'pull back' option. They should read the defensive movements and make a decision to hit the tip option or pull out the back

The drill starts with two teams of equal players playing a standard game of touch. Whenever a touch is made, the defender immediately joins the attacking side and acts as scrum half. This creates an attacking overload. Players must try to score a try by exploiting the overload in the least amount of touches. The drill resets after a try is scored.

This drill is designed to get your players in good habits when presenting the ball at the breakdown. This will allow your team to hold onto possession better and get quicker ball. The players run towards cones in lines of three, passing the ball from one end to the other. When the coach says "Down" or blows their whistle, whoever has the ball must drop to the ground and present the ball. The player who has presented the ball then passes to the player behind him and the drill carries on continuously. 0.29 - Demonstration  1.20 - What is the purpous of this drill?  

The aim of the exercise is to develop ball control and reaction catching skills.

The aim of the exercise is to develop ball control and reaction catching skills.

8+ players  Ball  Players stand at equal distance away at differnt points along the grid. One working player runs in the middle of the channel.  The players on the outside pass the ball into the running player. The Working player must complete 2 sets of passing - 1 run off each hand. 

Set up a 8 channels of cones 5 metres apart A group of 4 players start on the side line, and all players need to work around the nearest/corner cone. The first player with the ball will run into the nearest channel of cones (lane 1) and all the other players will work around the corner cone and filter into the proceeding channels The 1st player passes the ball as soon as the 2nd player gets into the 2nd channel. The ball is passed down the line of 4 players until the 4th players receives the ball. Once the 4th player receives the ball, the ball is placed down and all the players work around to get into their respective channel to repeat the process.

Groups 5  Balls  Cones  1. Chanel Fix  5 players Attack Defenders lined up one behind eachother.  They must use footwork to step to a side of the sausage and then give a pass before running into/past the defender. 

Groups 5  Balls  Cones  Sausages. 1. Chanel Fix  Attack sausages lined up one behind eachother.  they must use footwork to step to a side of the sausage and then give a pass before running into/past it. Attack inside shoulder of the bag to fix defender. 

-4 bags -2 sausages.  Put players on each bag, sausage and 2 defenders at the end of the grid.  There are 4 working attacking player.  Step 1 - Complete 2 shoulder clears on the opposing tackle bags.  Step 2 - 2 attackers nominate themselves to tackle the sauages.  Step 3 - the 2 support players pick the ball up and try complete the 4v2 (tackling players need to bounce up of feet quickly)