Rugby: Fun Catching Reaction Game

Develop a early hand catch, quick transfer of the ball across the body, and follow through towards the support player...

Fun game to practice passes/kicks not being intercepted.

Divide players into two equal teams and set up two grids (one small and one big - see diagram).

The blue team are divided in half with half in the small grid, and half outside the big grid. They are trying to pass/kick the ball between themselves to score points - one for every pass/kick which is caught on the full.

The red team are trying to intercept the passes/kicks or distract the blue team players. They cannot leave big grid or enter the small grid.

Players in the small grid cannot leave the small grid

Progressions - 

Players can only hold the ball for 5 seconds

If a ball is dropped/intercepted it is taken out of the game

• Groups of four, players stand in a T shape with about two yards between each player.
• The player in the middle is the focal point and each round is designed to test that middle player as they will be doing the most passing and receiving.

1. Player A - Player B
2. Player B - Player C
3. Player D - Player B
4. Player B - Player D
5. Player C - Player B
6. Player B - Player A
7. Player D - Player B
8. Player B - Player D

• The middle player must receive from the side and pass out the other side.
• The middle player then plays a one-two return pass with the player opposite.
• The middle player then receives the ball from the side player they just gave it to and passes it back across to the original passer.
• Another one-two with the player opposite is then played.
• Switch positions clockwise after 20/30 seconds.

Drill to practice fast, accurate passing.

Set up a T shape with 3 cones roughly 5m away from the central cone (see diagram)

One player stands on each cone, the player in the middle of the T is the player who works (yellow).

The players on the outside (blue) take it in turns to pass to the working player (yellow), who must catch the ball and pass it to the free player on the edge (see video.

PROGRESSIONS:

Start slowly and increase the pace at which the players pass to the working player, giving them less time to catch and pass the ball

Increase the distance that the working player must pass the ball.

• 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.