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Rugby: Union Jack

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Eifion, Rugby Coach

DESCRIPTION

Tell your players the following...

On GO Player A passes to B who in turn passes to Player C. At the same time Player E passes F.
Once the players have passed the ball they then swap with the opposite player.

Player A swaps with Player E, player B swaps with Player F, Player C with Player G, Player D with H.

It's important that players only swap once they have passed the ball and only pass it when a player is in position to receive it.

So - players swap following a pass - with their opposite number, the pass is always left.

COACHING POINTS

Don't feel that your need to focus on all of the following coaching points. Choose the points that take into account your players ability, and your own training and session goals

The receivers hand should be out, ready to receive the ball and presenting a target for the passer.
The ball carrier should pass the ball before running. The pass should be weighted correctly in terms of distance, speed, and accuracy.
Players should consider if a spin pass is needed or not.
Players should pass off both hands during this exercise.
Passers should execute the pass with the following in mind: the foot opposite to the direction of the pass is forward, the passing hand is further back than the supporting hand, the elbow of the passing hand is up, the passer follows through the pass using the wrists to generate power, the passing hand and supporting hands are spread across the ball pointing down, the point of the ball is raised slightly, the passing hands draws across the ball to create the spin - with the ball rolling off the tips of the fingers, the pass motion is fluid rather than forced.
As players become more comfortable and experience success, increase the passing distance.
Communicate should be effective, efficient, and encouraging - highlighting the next receiver, their location, and if the pass is a short or long pass.
Accept that, within reason, that player will make mistakes. Give you players to do so without over focusing on mistake. The next pass and the next catch is the most important - and it is your responsibility as a coach to train your players in order to reduce mistakes.
Players work together as a team.
We could add more balls to get the players working harder, and thinking more!
Change the direction of the pass.
Have fun!

PROGRESSION

We could do the same, but with the pass going right.

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OFTEN USED WITH...

Zig Zag Relay:

Tell the players to do the following......

The player with the ball passes to the next player and follows the direction of the ball.
The chasing or support player must touch the cone of the player they passed to.
The player who receives the ball does the same and so on to the last player who receives the ball and runs around the group to the first cone and restarts the drill.
The player returning to their cone, must backstep their way to their starting location.

Passing

Split with Trailer:

Tell your players the following......

Player A passes to D and cuts - not getting ball back , but holding up - B cuts and receives the ball off D, then turns it back inside to C, who passes to A to score out wide on Right.
Players change position after each attack, the static player will be a runner in the next attack.

Passing

Pressure Cooker:

4 players stand on the middle cones in the grid, avoiding the corner cones. The 2 players at the top and the bottom of the grid will have a ball. The players on the sides of the grid will have one ball between them.
The 5th player will be the ball carrier.
The ball carrier starts at the top of the grid facing the bottom. Moving forward they will take a pass off one of the middle players and pass the ball onto the other middle player. They will then collect a pass off the player in front of them, before popping the ball back to them. They will then turn and once again collect a pass off one of the middle players before moving it on to the other middle player. They then take a pass off the top player before popping it back and starting the exercise again.
They keep going until told to switch with another player.
The player in the middle can turn and flick the ball to the static players at the top and bottom of the grid, as well as popping the ball.

Passing

Up and Down:

Tell them the following......

Each attack will be up and down, up the left and down the right side of the cones.
Eack attack will see the ball move down the line once.
Run out to far cone and back - 1/2 pace - no forward passes.
Run out to third cone and back - jog - 3/4 pace back.
Run out to second cone and back - fast out - fast back.
Off-load the ball to the next attacking line - they do the same.
That's it, get working.