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JOIN NOWEvery scrum coach in the Uk will have kids passing?
Every scrum coach in the Uk will have kids passing the ball straight off the floor with no pull back, then when you watch the Lions play - the two scrum halves of Phillips and Ellis both lift the ball up and take a step before passing, as do most scrum halves in top flight rugby...(in Phillips case a double step shuffle!......why is this, there must be a reason? should we all be coaching kids to do the same ?
Rugby CoachCoach
ANSWERS
Simon JonesCoach, England
Kevin
The only reason to delay a scrum half pass is to suck in defenders and so create gaps, especially for the scrum half and this is especially tempting to players like Phillips who are so strong on the break.
I am with you in that I coach the sweep away with no back lift on the scrum half pass. Every extra second the scrum half takes is a metre gained by the defence.
Simon
Dave RobinsonCoach, Australia
G'day, Kevin and Simon
Might it also be that the scrumhalf is trying to clear himself from the tangle of bodies, hands and feet at his feet and around the ball? There seems to be a propensity for teams to be preparing their forward runners prematurely for the next phase before they've done their job getting the ball clean for their scrumhalf to deliver quality pill (this was where, I reckon, the Wallabies fell down against England in the 2007 RWC). They seem to forget that they need to win the ball before they can run the ball. As a result, are the scrumhalf's habits formed because of poor cleaning out?
Your thoughts?
Rugby CoachCoach
Hi Dave, yep, can see your points - thks. With Phillips & Kellagher it's my belief that they are using the shuffle to scan the defensive with their 'peripheral vision' - the old 'show and go' being used. Incidentally, Jimmy cowan has the best pass off the wrists i've seen and it made a huge difference to the speed that the 1st runner received the ball last weekend .... How many Mauls/Rucks do the Wallabies need before someone 'drops into the pocket' for a last minute drop goal ??????? I think you missed a winning opportunity there matey !
