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Rugby: Pre-Contact Circuit

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Mokie, Rugby Coach

DESCRIPTION

Brief your players, but keep it brief!
In each grid there will not be two channels. In each of the two channels there are two players with a tackle bag and two players binding with their back to the runner. The players binding will be leaning/driving against a tackle shield (similar to how they would be during a maul). The shield will provide support and resistance just before and during the runners hit.
The first player starts and runs to the player with the tackle bag and makes a tackle before moving on.
After the 2nd tackle they runs to bind with the 2 players and drives them across the line, their bind should result in their head between the hips of the two players in front of him and his shoulders in contact with the from two players backsides. The players driving position should be low and the hit proportionate. When the 3 players cross the line, one of the 2 binding players takes over and continues to run up the other channel, with the first running player now binding with the other remaining player and taking up a driving position against the shield.
Change players around to ensure that every player has an opportunity to play different roles.

COACHING POINTS

You don't have to focus on all of the following coaching points, just the ones that you feel are in line with your training goals. Don't forget that you can have your own coaching points!

The tempo of the exercise is high, as many players are moving and as involved as possible.
Players hit the bags making a strong contact with their shoulder, their foot position promotes driving through the tackle, closing their arms around the bag upon contact.
Following a tackle the player gets to their feet quickly.
If needed, remind players about how to tackle safely.
Players approach the Maul situation safely with a change in foot-speed to safely, yet with force, join the maul.
Players in the maul use good communication to work together as a unit to drive forward.
Maul foot-speed and direction is controlled.
Body position at the maul is low, using the strength of the legs combined with body weight to drive forward.
Variation: Place a ball at the back of the maul, the joining player has to legally stay bound while placing the ball on their hip and driving forward. Communication will have to change to take into account the presence of the ball and how to control it. The ball carrier can now spin off the back of the maul and score just over the line, before another player begins their circuit.

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OFTEN USED WITH...

Three Player Circuit:

The players in their groups of 3 stand between the lines of the inner square with the working group stood inside the other players.
The first group of 3 begins by running across the grid passing the ball. When they reach the centre the ball is put down an they then run at the players with the pads (on their left) each pushing their player to the outer square. The players then swap.
The pad players run across to the tackle bags and push and tackle the bags to the outer square.
Players swap again now the new 3 players (third group) run to the ball pick it up and take the ball turn right to face the 3 players on the 12 o'clock side of the square and run into contact for the ball carrier to present the ball.
This ball is then picked up by the 3 players being pushed back and the drill starts again.
Keep the tempo of this exercise high.

Note: You can change the position of each activity within the training area - but that will impact on the instructions to coaches. Players can basically go in any direction, but they do need to communicate and work as a unit. Don't get to hung up on where players should be going, or in what order.

Warm Up

Continuous layoff:

Player with the ball runs into contact and passes the ball out to the supporting player whom inturn passes it to the other side of the grid for the practice to repeat on the other side.

Contact Skills

Offloads:

One group starts with the ball.

Player with the ball forwards towards the player with the pad.

The player hits pad with their right shoulder and ?pops? the ball off to the 1st player in the other group, who is running to receive the ball.

The next player hits pad with their left shoulder and ?pops? the ball off to the next player form the other group, who is running to receive the ball.

Drill continues until all players have carried out the drill from both sides.

Contact Skills

Rip and present conditioning:

Players stand in a inner circle and have an outer circle 5m behind them.

2 players in the middle. one player passes the ball to one of the outside players. The other central player runs at the player with the ball rips the ball off the player and presents the ball to the original passer. This player then passes the ball to another player in the circle and the practice repeats it self.

Warm Up

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