Rugby: L-Shaped Passing

The passer passes the first ball, from the ground, to the catcher, who sets the ball down. the passer then run around the first cone to the second set of balls, passing the next ball from the ground to the catcher. They then repeat this until all of the ball are passed. The catcher can time the exercise, and rate the accuracy and distance of each pass. The catcher and passer switch roles at the end of the exercise, and all balls are reset.

The first group of 4 starts at the top of the grid, moving forward. The ball should be with the outside player, who makes a short pass in to his supporting runner, who then makes a long pass to the next receiver in the other short passing box, they will then make a short pass to the last receiver. The players realign and do the same again in the opposite direction. When they get to the end of the grid, they go around the cones to their starting position, while the next group goes. They should change position in the line, and when ready, they start again.

Basically players will pass the ball diagonally across the grid, but the the ball is to be caught, not by the player at the cone, but by the player from the next cone back, who will sprint onto the pass. Ecah player move down one cone following each pass. Players can leave their cones before the pass is executed, but this exercise is to be conducted at pace. You might have to reduce the size of the training area in order to put less strain on the players, and don't forget to change the direction of the run e.g. clockwise and anticlockwise.

Players start at the cones, pass the ball one circuit clockwise and one circuit anticlockwise. Following the two circuits, they take one step back. Thus making the circle bigger. They then repeat the 2 circuits of passing the ball around the circle, before taking another step back. Repeat until the circle is so big that the players are having trouble completing their pass.

The attacker goes when ready, and must round either the top or bottom cone. The defender must mirror the movements of the attacker on the opposite side. They then compete in a 1 v 1, the attacker looking to score, and the defender seeking to stop them. This is full contact. When the first two have finished, the next attacker should go right away, followed by the defender. Swap the attackers and the defenders around when you feel it appropriate.

Tell the players the following....... Lay flat on the ground. In a moment but not yet, I want you to get to your feet, but you cannot use your knees. You will get up like a surfer, pushing up with your hands and jumping to your feet. It's a race, lets see who can get up first? On your call the place get to their feet and then back down again. When they have got the idea, have some fun with it e.g. last one up sings two lines from their favorite song. But whatever you do has to be fun and not humiliating.

The ball carrier advances, running diagonally across the grid with the player on the other cone doing the same, but with a delay. The ball carrier can then switch or back flick the ball to the supporting runner. The supporting runner passes the ball back to the nearest player waiting from the next group, when they get the ball, they go. That's it, play.

The exercise is simple, the attacker has 2 minutes to score as many tries as they can. They do this by attacking the space between 2 sets of cones, but there is a defender they need to avoid. When it is clear which area the attacking is going to attack, that defender can advance. This is a full contact exercise. If the attackers scores, they return to the center of the grid to attack again. They cannot attack the same defender twice. If the attack fails, they reset and have another go. After 1/2 minutes, switch the attacker. This is a competition, so keep score.

The exercise stand clockwise, with the first player going from the bottom left cone. The defender must tackle that player to the ground. As soon as that tackle is complete, the attacker quickly clears the area, and the defenders gets to their feet. The next attack goes right away. This pattern repeats, with each new attacker coming forward from a new cone, and then rejoining the back of the line on the opposite side. The idea is for the defender to be tested time after time, in quick succession. The ball carrier can try to evade contact. After 1 minute, change the defender.

The runner/tackler starts 10 meters back, runs forward and places the ball down just before the bag, and in the same motion hits the bag making a tackle. They then get to their feet and lift the ball, repeating the same skills at the opposite tackle bag. This repeats for 1 minute at pace. Switch the runner/tacklers with a player at the bags.

Tell the players that they have to run and hit every line on the pitch, but before proceeding to the next line they need to return to and touch the try line. For example a player would run to the 5 meter line and back to the try line, then to the 22 and back and so on. The players should aim for a target time to complete the exercise e.g. 3 minutes 15 seconds, but you should change this to suit your players fitness levels. Time your players and record their times, use the recorded times as time to beat when you next use this exercise.

Use half or a full pitch for this exercise. A full team of 7 will run unopposed. Players should use this as a rehearsal of everything that might happen in the game, and therefore should execute all of the following..... Line-outs, and what happen after them. Scrums, and what happens next. All moves. The full attacking patterns. Any kicking strategies, including restarts. When you feel the players are ready, bring in opposition with pads, and then without in full contact.

The exercise starts with the first attacking unit running around the bottom of the grid, as they do the first defending unit run around the top of the grid. The first defender run up to defend in line with the first cone, the second defender in line with the middle cone, and the last defender is at the end of the grid. Therefore the attack will aim to beat the 3 defenders, in three 3 v 1 situations. When the attack finishes, they pass the ball to the next attacking unit, and the exercise starts again with the new attacking and defending unit. The last two attacking and defending units, switch sides returning to starting positions, ready to go again.

We have 8 static passers and two runners. There should be a static passer on each cone, eight in total. The 9th player will be the ball carrier. Both ball carriers starts at the top of the grid facing the bottom. Moving forward they will take a pass off the first static passer with a ball, passing that ball to each other before moving the ball onto the the player opposite to the original static passer. The attacker moves forward and does the same at the next set of cones, then the next, and then the next. When they get to the end of the grid, completing all 4 passes - they turn and start again. They keep going until told to switch with another player. Don't forget to change the runners.

Players start in attacking group of 3 on the 10 meter side of the grid. They pass the ball down the line at 10 meters,� attacking forward they spread out passing the ball up and down the line. They should be working at 30 meters by the time they reach the top cones. The next group should go. When finished, attacking groups should join the end of the lines at the start of the grid, ready to go again.

Tell the players the following: On your whistle the ball carrier and the support player come forward off their cones. The ball carrier passes the ball to either their left or right (not forward). It is easier to decide the pass direction and roles in advance e.g. one ball will always travel left - and one ball will always travel right. When a ball carrier has finished their pass - they join the end of the opposite line. Players keep working within the Wide grid until you should tight, they then move into the inner grid. In this grid space is very limited and players will pop the ball (again not forward). Players keep working within the inner grid until told to move out wide again. Keep the tempo high and have fun.

Put a group of 7 inside inside one of your grids. Tell them the following laws: The player not wearing a bib (the runner) is trying stay away from the ball - because if you touch that player with the ball they have to do 10 press-ups etc. (amend depending of players age etc.). Give one of the 3 man teams the ball; the hunters, it's their job to pass the ball to each other hunting the runner, trying to touch the runner with the ball. The other team of three is there to try and intercept the ball as it is passed between the hunters (they are interceptors). Ball carriers can run with the ball. The ball cannot be thrown at the runner. Passes can be in any direction. If the ball is intercepted by the other team, they now hunt the runner and the opposing team has to try and intercept the ball to get it back. Don't forget to change the runner by swapping them with a member of of the two teams in the grid. If a team has been good at keeping the ball, swap the ball over when you feel the time is right. If the ball is dropped or a pass goes outside the grid, it's turned over to the other team who then become the hunters. The team trying to intercept cannot push or have any contact with the hunters (ball carriers). Law Change: After a little time you can change the law to: the ball carrier cannot move with the ball or the ball carrier only take 2/3 steps upon catching the ball.

One of the players in a group of 4 should be an attacker, and should take the pad. The other 3 players will be defenders. The attacker will start at the top of the grid, and the defenders start at the bottom, one behind the other, see the diagram. Tell the players the following..... The attacker will advance, trying to avoid contact. The opposite defender should track and hit the pad. They players reset, and the next player goes. Don't forget to change the player on the pad.

Tell the players the following...... We are going to play a game, the 7 defenders will stay in defence throughout, and the 5 attacking players will remain the attack. If for any reason the ball is lost, it is given back to the attack. The attack scores by scoring a try in the normal way. The defence scores by turning the ball over. That's it, play. As the game develops, increase the size of the playing area. Switch the attackers and defenders.

The two players in the middle of the circle will be defenders, it is their job to try and intercept the ball that is being passed, or to block the pass. The other players have to keep the balls moving, they cannot pass to the player beside them, and they have only 2 seconds to make their pass. Give 4 different players the balls, and lets get going. Don't forget to change the defenders.