Rugby: Simple Passing Warm Up

• Brief your players one what you would like them to do.
• Start the activity by having all players pass the ball around the grid in any direction, they should moving around the grid as they do so. The only restriction is that they must pass in order 1 - 2, 2 - 3, 3 - 4, 4 - 5, 5 - 1 and so.
• Progress this exercise by having player 1 become a defender. The other players move the ball to avoid being touched by the defender. So in this example the ball would move in the following sequence: 2, 3, 4, 5, 2, 3, 4, 5.
• After some time, change the defender. Player 2 should now be the defender, the passing sequence changes to: 1, 3, 4, 5, 1, 3, 4, 5 etc.
• Progress this exercise further by choosing random defenders, attackers will quickly need to work out the passing sequence.
• If attackers get the passing sequence wrong, they do 1, 2, 3 etc. press ups - the defender does not.

Here the player needs to have slightly bent knees, and ensure that he is leaning slightly forward with a straight back, giving him space to swing and pass the ball.

The player with the ball swings the ball back and forward with a straight arm with force, releasing the ball into the opposite players' hands. The ball is now being passed from left to right.

The player receiving should be waiting for the ball, both hands out, fingers soft and pointing 45 degrees up from the horizontal.

• Tell your players the follow.....

1. The first two players at each coach will advance, attacking the cone to their left, in the middle of the training area.
2. The players should split as they run, increasing the distance between them.
3. When they get as far as the middle cone, they should then pass.
4. The reciever then passes to the first reciever on the cone they are approaching.

Four players start to run across the grid passing the ball.

On reaching the far side the wide player gives the ball to the player on the other side who then comes back with the 2 middle players and the new wide player.