16 Cones 1 Ball, progress to 2 balls.

15m x 15m Grid.

Players stand on a blue cone. On Go, the player passes the ball and sprints out to the nearest cone in the middle then back steps back to the next blue cone in line.

Pass to both the left and the right

Put 2 balls in depending on ability

Get one ball going in the opposite direction

Do press ups or sit ups at centre cones

The player with the ball passes to the next player and follows the direction of the ball using a side step.

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.

Pass the ball before running

Side step one way, then the other

Pass off both hands

Progression:

Pass the ball as they start to move

Change side steps to forward sprint or backwards running, etc.

Increase the passing distance

1) Run outside cone with ball (either side) and on to other group.

2) First three people in each group with a ball - six people on the move.

3) No contact

Ball in two hands. Swerve around the cones

Pass the balls to the next three players to go.

No dropped balls.

During a game of touch in a grid sized 30 x 30 metres the coach can choose to call blitz, drift or cover at any breakdown.

Upon hearing the call the defenders must run and touch the relevant line before running back to rejoin the game.

When the defenders are running to touch their line the attackers must turn their back on the defenders and give the ball to the coach. When the defenders are almost back in position the coach should roll the ball back to the attackers to restart the game.

The coach can later develop the game by introducing a visual clue to the defenders, instead of an audio cue, thus forcing the attackers to react to an unknown type of defence.

This game is excellent for visual acuity and learning how to attack differing defensive alignments.

Spaces will be created by the leaving defenders, which the attackers have to identify, decide on the appropriate action, and then attack.

This game also promotes identifying and attacking space, communication and handling.

You can also give individual players numbers to make more attackers versus fewer defenders (especially relevant for cover defence.

Key Points:

Look-Think-Do Process

Visual Acuity (looking for space)

Spatial awareness

Highlighting defensive systems and learning to attack appropriately and decision making.

Set Up

Small 10 x 10m grid - 1/3rd of group on knees - 1/3rd with ball - 1/3rd supporting

Players move around grid - take tackle and off load to supporting player repeat continuously for 30 seconds - change roles

Carrying ball in two hands - off load with either one or two hands.

Use fend off if required - tackled player MUST make eye contact with target off load.

Control off load, not too flat and not too much weight - float ball - support player stays deep and runs onto ball

This practice is set out with a inner square and a outer square. 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 starts to run across the grid passing the ball. When they reach the centre the ball is put down and they then run at a 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.

This is a complicated team relay practice in which you can put any elements you want to practice at the same time as improve the fitness of the players.

Once completed the whole practice is then repeated in the opposite direction.

1) First player runs outside cone and passes back inside to a trail runner.

2) Two balls with each group - four groups running through at the same time.

3) Make start point further back.

Set Up

2 players – 1 ball

Start with ball carry with straight arm onto chest of defender. 20 sec of work –ball carrier tries to maintain arms length away from defender. Stay on feet

3 vs 1 vs 1

Ball Carrier passes the ball into the post player and runs across the front of him and receives the ball back.

His 2 supporting players then react to his body language and execute 2 x 3 vs 1.

Ball in two hands

Draw and pass

Cut off the defender after passing

Coned area 30 metres by 30 metres with two teams of players on one side Coach kicks the ball is kicked into the the grid.

2 different numbers are called with the 1st number being for the number of attackers and the 2nd the number of defenders

The attackers have to field the ball, turn and counter attack against the defenders

• Delay the second number to give the attackers time to get organised.

Players get into groups of 5, with a player standing on 4 corners of the grid with a player (player A) in the middle.

Players B, C, and D have a ball each.

Player starts by facing player C. As player A runs towards C they catch a pass from B and quickly pass the ball across to E.

When A is a couple of meters from C, C passes to A who immediately returns the ball, turns and runs back towards D, while catching and passing a ball from E to B.

The players run to the cone and then pass the ball square before running on to the next cone and pass square. When the players reach the end they have to run back through the middle of the cones.

The practice keeps repeating.

Promote vision by timing of passes.

Set Up

3 players - One player in Tackle Suit - one ball carrier -one support player - one ball


Ball carrier attacks suited player and takes leg tackle- suited player returns to feet an competes for ball -support player clears.

Encourage full tackle with use of strong arms and a quick return to feet

Moving the ball along the line this play sees 11 run up behind 10 to support the line and blind side the opposition.

10 plays a pop pass for 11 to run onto.

To keep your players on their toes call out '11' or '15' to dictate who should receive the final pop pass.

Progression:

Line up some defenders to put pressure on your line.

Up to 10 in a group. Each player should have a tag belt.

Each player partners up with someone and then stand side by side.

On the coach's call the players run to that sideline. If the coach calls 1 for example they have to run to the sideline before the 2s can catch them and take their belt.

If you haven't got belts then you can just use bibs. Start with feet moving and legs bent ready to turn and sprint away.

Progression:

Increase the channel width as players improve.

8 players are lined up just outside the 22 metre line, with 3 defenders starting under the posts with the ball.

One of the defenders kicks the ball towards the 22 metre line. Once they the attackers have caught the ball they have to try and score a try without being tagged/ tackled by the defence.

Allow the attacking team 5 minutes to score as many tries as they can, before changing attack and defence around.

Give the attackers 5 goes to see how many they can convert into a try.

The attack should be patient at all times, regrouping to only have one go in to a channel and come straight out and switch play.

Playing area of 25m in length - adjust width to suit numbers- equal numbers in both teams

Full LEG tackles ONLY - ball carrier when tackled can off load immediately or IF no support present when support arrives - game continues until knock or forward pass occurs. When a try is scored the try scorer turns to attack the other try line game continues playing the opposite way. No rucks or mauls.

Fix defenders and attack space- encourage - Go Forward - momentum and close support.

The game should be played at maximum pace. Encourage support runners to stay deep and follow ball carrier into the space being attacked.

Encourage players to think one phase ahead - that is to make a decision they cannot get through untouched so going to attack the space and off load to left or right - this encourages players to read the micro situations which occur when confronted with a flat defensive line. Encourage movement away from restart area when good forward momentum has been achieved.

Highlight leg tackles ONLY and support players to react quickly to the contact area.

2 balls, 4 cones

Player with ball opposite each other run to the middle then side stepping and passing the ball to the left queue of players

Make sure that the player start the side step early enough

Offence (blue), line out in one deep line.

Defence (red) - opposite in a straight line, slightly inside player you are marking.

Offence endeavour to pass ball along line.

Defence move up to stop them. Each defender goes up to tackle - if ball is passed THEN they work to protect inside shoulder of player on their outside.

The pitch is divided into two halves

The defenders must start at opposite corners of the pitch

The attacker must have at least one player in either half. The middle player starts with the ball.

Ball in two hands

Gentle passes in front of the support player.

Hands Ready (Make a target).

Delay your run so you are always behind the ball

Set Up:

• 3 players
• one in tackle suit
• one with ball
• one tackle bag

The player in the tackle suit crouches or kneels next to tackle bag which is representing an attacking player.

The suited player tackles the bag and the player with the ball places it next to tackle bag to simulate the tackled player placing the ball.

The suited player then returns to their feet and gets ready to compete for ball with the third player who clears out suited player the win the ball.

• Encourage strong tackling with use of strong arms and a quick return to feet.
• Suited player should adopt a low strong position over ball with weight on their feet.
• Clear out player should adopt a low body angle on approach; knees bent, shuffle footwork, eyes on the target and head up.
• Tackler should target the lower sternum of suited player.
• Look for a big impact, driving the player up and off the ball with a strong leg drive with short steps.