Rugby: Fending Off - Strong Hands

The lead attacker runs at straight at defender. Attacks runs into space, either on the left or the right, takes the tackle and then off-loads to the support player who should be running down the opposite channel to the first attacker (so if the the first attacker runs left the support player goes right).

The lead attacker runs straight at the defender, attacking either the space on the left or the right before taking the tackle and off loading to the support player who is running down the opposite channel. So if the attacker goes left, the support player should go right!

Set up the practice as shown inside a 30m x 30m Grid. 6 Shields and 1 Ball. Player 1 carries the ball before passing the ball to player 2 who bursts through the shields. Once through the other side, 2 passes to 3 and receives a return pass before bursting through the next set of shields Once they are through the last two players with shields can move and try and block the runners. Player 2 has the option to pass to either player or go it alone.

3 attackers start at the beginning of the grid who will go up against the tackle bag first and then the person in the body suit second; these two should not stand next to each other unless you move on to the progression. At the coaches command the attackers will go into the tackle shield first with the ball carrier going to ground and the two supporters either both clearing out or one person clearing and the next picking up the ball and going into the next defender 5 metres behind who will be in a bodysuit. The ball carrier here will try to stay strong on his feet and offload to the two support runners or one of them will come in and rip the ball and offload to the support runner who will finish by crossing over the line.

Playing area of 25m in length - adjust width to suit numbers- equal numbers in both teams Full LEG tackles ONLY - ball carrier when tackled can off load immediately or IF no support present when support arrives - game continues until knock or forward pass occurs. When a try is scored the try scorer turns to attack the other try line game continues playing the opposite way. No rucks or mauls.

This drill will develop your players ability to regather difficult balls and make offloads.  Working in groups of three, one player is practicing the skill at a time.  The practicing player throws the ball to two other players who are holding balls. These two players bounce the ball back and the practicing player has to gather the ball without knocking it on. Progression   Now the practicing player holds two balls. He has to offload and then regather the ball with one hand.

This is an exercise for continuity and support for attacking play Lay out a rectangular playing area, with four attackers and minimum three defenders The attackers begin in a diamond formation, with the ball carrier at the front The defenders are then stacked in rows, one defender per row, spread out diagonally The ball carrier is tackled by the first man, and offloads to one of the two supporting attackers The receiver of the pass runs and is tackled by the next defender and they offload to one of two supporting attackers As one of the four attackers will be on the floor from a tackle, the next phase will include three attackers, who should be in an arrow formation

Set Up Line of defenders - 5m apart in staggered formation tackle shield. Individual players move down the line – fend off each tackle in turn right then left ...

Line of defenders - 5m apart in staggered formation tackle shield. Individual players move down the line, fend off each tackle in turn - right then left etc.

This is a fun warm up game for the whole team to be involved in Players are separated into two teams, one team wearing bibs Every player is holding a rugby ball, which they keep to themselves There is one 'live' ball that is used for the game. This is a possession game, where each team tries to keep the ball for as long as possible, passing and catching one-handed (because their other hand is holding a ball already) Once a team reaches 10 passes in a row, possession switches over. A small forfeit such as press ups could be introduced for conceding 10 consecutive passes.

Once the coach has kicked the ball in to start players play a normal rules game of touch rugby. The only difference is with the scoring: 1 point for a try - plus 1 x bonus point for an offload within 10 metres and 2 x bonus points for offload with 5 metres of the try line. If no passes within 15 metres of the try line then the score does not count.

Set Up Small 10 x 10m grid - 1/3rd of group on knees - 1/3rd with ball - 1/3rd supporting Players move around grid - take tackle and off load to supporting player repeat continuously for 30 seconds - change roles

In a game your players are going to have to work with awkward positions and chaotic situations. This drill will help them develop their offloading skills while maintaining a spacial awareness.  One player is in the middle of a group where there is a tackle sausage (If you haven't got one of these see progression) The player in the middle moves around the tackle sausage while offloading balls to the players around him whilst continuously receiving more balls. Progression   Instead of a tackle sausage have another player in the middle who can start of just standing but as the drill goes on they can slowly build up the intensity and start making more and more of a nuisance of themselves until it is close to game intensity. 

The aim of the exercise is to develop ball control and one hand offloading after the contact.

The ball carrier runs towards the defender and attracts the tackle. After contact, the player turns to offload to their teammate making the supporting run to the side. This player carries the ball into the next tackling defender, and offloads to the third teammate making the supporting run on the opposite side.

Groups of 10+  Ball  Bibs.  In 5m Channel have 4 defenders stood one behind eachother 5m apart.  Have 4 defenders stood in diamond formation. 1 ball carrier, 2 support runners, 1 trailer runner.  Ball carrier takes on defender, trying to  manoeuvre the defender or get on the outside of the defender using footwork and fend.  Once the player has line of sight of a supporting attacker, the attacker returns to 2 hands on the ball, then offloads to support runner.  The trailer runner then becomes the second support runner.  continue up the grid until the defenders left. 

Groups of 10+  Ball  Bibs.  In 5m Channel have 4 defenders stood one behind eachother 5m apart.  Have 4 defenders stood in diamond formation. 1 ball carrier, 2 support runnners, 1 trailer runner.  Ball carrier takes on defender, trying to  maneuver the defender or get on the outside of the defender using footwork and fend.  Once the player has line of sight of a supporting attacker, the attacker returns to 2 hands on the ball, then offloads to support runner.  The trailer runner then becomes the second support runner.  continue up the grid until the defenders left. 

Split your players into two teams in an approx 20mx15m for 12 players. Change this according to numbers. Give every play a ball, they have to hold this in one hand the entire time whilst moving about the grid Work as a team to complete as many passes as possible without dropping the ball Catch and pass the ball in one hand without using the chest as support

The aim of the exercise is to develop ball control and offloading off the floor.

The aim of the exercise is to develop ball control and one hand offloading “out the back”