Rugby: Pass and Control

Your tips and session ideas have really brought some interest back...
Eifion, Rugby Coach

DESCRIPTION

  • Keep you player briefing, brief. Get the players moving and training as soon as possible.
  • If you feel it would help, have one group demonstrate.
  • Tell your players the following:
  1. They work as pairs, passing the ball back and forth between one another.
  2. They can move anywhere in the grid, be as close or as far apart as they like.
  3. Passes may not be forward.
  4. The temp should be high, and ball carriers should not hold onto the ball for more than 3 seconds.
  5. When they hear the first whistle they keep working but listen to the instruction.
  6. On the second whistle the ball carrier executes that instruction.
  7. Instructions can include: Pass the ball between your legs, pass the ball around your back, pass the ball around your neck, roll the ball down your back and catch it, flick the ball over your head and catch it etc. These can be as simple or as complex as you like. This is about getting your players to control the ball, to be more comfortable handling the ball.
  • This should be fun, but players should strive to control the ball and may even end up impressing themselves and others.

COACHING POINTS

Don't feel that you have to focus on all of the following coaching points, you may have your own. Select the points that most closely match your overall training and session goals.

  • Players should aim to keep the ball moving.
  • They should move into space, not being afraid to drift apart.
  • Ball carriers should aim to pass the ball to where the receiver is going to be, not to where they are.
  • Passes do not spin the ball when there is no need to.
  • Passes should be weighted in terms of distance, accuracy, and speed.
  • A pass is only complete when caught.
  • The receivers hands should be out.
  • Both the ball carrier and receiver should communicate to highlight availability, distance, location, and the time of the pass.
  • Communication should be encouraging, effective, and efficient.
  • Players stay up on the ball of their feet inside tight space, changing direction quickly.
  • When asked to control ball, players take risks and work outside their comfort zone.
  • It is important that players learn to handle the ball in unfamiliar ways, that way they can react and catch a pass that is: too high, too low, where the ball rolling etc.
  • Players should not view mistakes as failures, simply part of the learning process.
  • Control movements are carried out as quickly as possible before beginning passing.
  • Control tasks should allow a reasonable expectation of successful competition.
  • Differentiate your groups and allocate control tasks appropriate to the groups ability level. Every group should feel stretched but should experience success.
  • Have fun, remember build them up!

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