Rugby | Decision making Drills

3 attackers against two defenders with contact pads. Ball carrier takes ball into contact turning before hitting pads and presenting the ball. Next two players bind on either side and drive the maul to the end of the grid to score.

First attacker runs straight and passes to second attacker (in middle channel). First player runs around second to recieve the pass in the end channel.

This is good for upper body strength. 5 or 6 defenders, 1 ball, 2 attackers Defenders must stand in a circle about 2 metres apart to keep contact away from injuring anybody unnecessarily. The ball carrier works into a defender who must wrap around and keep hold of the ball, the support attacker must rip the ball from his partner and move onto a different defender for the process to repeat. The 2 attackers are given a time limit to work as hard as possible.

Groups of five Three attackers try and score against one defender If touched, must maul

Groups of 8 split into four groups of 2 Players pass and, chase the space, until coach shouts - Maul, at which time the second player joins the first and they play with four hands on the ball until coach shouts play

This game is designed to teach the players to work together to drive a maul forward and keep control of the ball. Set Up a field approximately 5m x 5m. Split the players into 2 even groups from size and skill level. Tell the 2 groups to stand at opposite ends of the field to start. Explain to the players that one group will receive the ball and their job is to try and drive the ball to the other teams try line and place it down. The opposition can only push the attackers out or back to their try line. If the players and the ball go over the sideline then it is a restart with the defending team getting the ball. Bring in a point score system in which a try (placing the ball down over the try line) is worth 5 points and simply pushing the maul over the try line is 1 point. The aim is to get the players to understand that when the ball goes into a maul they must start pushing and look to get the ball to the back. R3

Players stand in a circle, about 5 meters apart. Two player, one with a ball, positioned in the centre of the circle. The ball carrier (player 1) runs towards on of the players in the circle and drives into them for about 1 meter. The ball carrier then drops to the ground before presenting the ball for the supportive player (player 2). The supportive player then clears the ball out and passes it to another player in the circle. Player 1 the regains to their feet, moves onto the next player in the circle who has the ball, secures the ball from them, drives forwards a meter, drops to the ground and presents the ball. The drill continues.

Set up lines of defenders with pads aligned laterally across your working area. You can either have 1 line so the attacking players work once and in 1 direction or you can have a series of defensive lines so they attackers work continuously off both shoulders. Rotate defensive units.Work in attacking groups of 5 with 1 ball per group. The attacking groups start at point X. On the command, Player 1 carries the ball towards defender A. Just before or as the Player 1 makes contact with the tackle shield, Player 2 gets ‘hands-on’ the ball, moving it away from the defender. Both players then make contact powerfully with the defender (particularly Player 1 and get some go-forward (1 or 2 driving paces) before releasing to the acting half-back when feeds to Players 4 and 5 who repeat into defender B. Players 1 and Player 2 then loop behind and receive pass from player 3 before engaging defender C.  

Groups of 10. 5 v 5 Match. Players start the game and after each touch the touched player must simulate a MAUL by turning and setting up the ball. Allow 1 player to drive in on the ball.