Rugby: 2 v 1 alignment options

Working in groups of up to 4, players spaced approximately 4-5 metres apart.Players jog to the 1st cone then jog backwards to the start line. Still running as a line they then jog to the 2nd cone and so on to the 4th cone.

Cones Ball3 channels of different widths are lined up next to eachother3 attackers and 2 defender run around opposing cones before attacking each other. Defenders must put pressure on but be passive as will ruin the drill if they disrupt the play.Running around the corner will encourage the attackers to realign, and adapt to the different space requirements.

Set up one small grid (5x5m), one medium grid (10x10m) and one large area (15x15m). Players work in groups of 3 with one ball. Coach shouts out the name of a square (large, medium or small) and players have to realign quickly inside the coloured square. The idea of this practice is that players understand how to use the full width of the pitch and realign quickly.

Drill to practice skills and creating space.Set up a pitch (roughly 25m x 20m depending on age and number of players) with two scoring zones at each end (green cones). Split the players into two even teams and give each team different colour bibs.Teams are aiming to score points by passing the ball to a team mate who is standing in the scoring zone (see diagram). Each time a player catches the ball on the full from a pass from a team mate in the scoring zone their team scores one point, and they turn and attack back the other way. Players cannot run while holding the ball, they must be standing still when they pass.The defending team cannot get closer than 2m to the player with the ball, and can only gain possession by intercepting a pass or if the attacking team drop the ball or give a poor pass which goes to ground. PROGRESSION:Players can only have possession of the ball for 2 seconds. If they hold the ball for longer than two seconds then possession is turned over. This means that the defending team can gain possession if they cut down the attacking players passing options.Players can run when in possession of the ball, but still can only have possession of the ball for 2 seconds.Passes must be over head.Passes must be below waist height.Chip kick / grubber kick instead of pass.Passes must be out of the back of the hand.Passes must be behind the back.Defenders can touch the attacking player in possession of the ball. If the defending team makes two touches on the attacking team then possession is turned over.

During a game of touch in a grid sized 30 x 30 metres the coach can choose to call <em>blitz</em>, <em>drift</em> or <em>cover</em> 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.

Tell the players the following.... Player 1 starts with the ball. Player 1 passes the ball to player 2 and then quickly moves off their cone and runs to the cone where player 2 is and back to their cone. Player 2 then passes to player 3, follows the pass to the position of player 3 and back to their starting position. Change your passing hand each time The aim is to for the players to be back in their starting position before the ball returns back, but main thing is that they provide a good pass to the receiving player.

3 players line up in a straight line, approximately 10m apart, each standing opposite an agility pole. The ball is passed by a scrumhalf to the first receiver The reciver runs straight at the pole and passes the ball to the next player who does the same. Play continues until the third man has completed the exercise

Either from standing start or from receiving pass the player should look to fake, side-step or dummyAfter having done this they should now accelerate hard over 5-10m.

Players line up and approach the pole and evade to a side. Using shorter strides when they get close, they step to one side with the POWER STRIDE, and off that leg they change direction in the other direction, anything from 30-90 degree angle changes is sufficient.

Excellent drill to get players working off the ball to create depth while not turning their backs. Groups of 3 or 4. Cones- spaced 10 m away. Distant of past changes depending on ability level. Players must time their runs. Always be at full speed when moving forward. Make sure past technique is strong.

Start at a jog.Receive the pass and quickly accelerate over 10mChange of Direction/ Side Step and accelerate again.

The ball carrier from each team runs out to the cone and runs backwards on the return before passing to the next playerFirst team to get all players back to original start position wins.<BR>

Players line up in two groups on the first cone. On GO, the first players side step to the second cone, go around it and run backwards to cone three where they side step the opposite direction to cone four where they turn and sprint back to the start and pass the ball to the next player. When both players have received a ball they repeat the drillIts a good idea to have groups next to each other so they can compete against each other.

Knees slightly bent and feet apart.<BR>Start with one arm behind one leg and the other in front of the other leg, holding the ball.<BR>&quot;Pop&quot; the ball up and quickly swap arms around and catch the ball before it touches the ground.

The ball carrier from each end runs out and has to side step left and right through the cones to the end where the ball is passed to the next player.First team to get all players back to original start position wins.<BR>

Setup as shown.2 groups with one ball per group.The first players in each group sprint to the second blue cone then quickly back step to the first. Then they sprint to the third, back step to the second,, then sprint to the fourth where they side step to the next cone. At that cone, they sprint forwards to the next cone then side step to the last cone which they turn around and sprint back to the start and pass the ball to the next player.

Knees slightly bent and feet<BR>apart.<BR>Handle the ball in between the legs in a figure of 8.

Set out a course of cones in pairs, with two pairs of cones at the front and back of the course - two cones go in the middle of the front and back cones, not in line but just to the side. Two cones then go opposite the two cones in the middle on either side. <br><br>Two players stay at the front of the circuit, standing back facing towards the rest of the cones. On the shout of GO, the players run backwards before turning to face forwards at the first cone, sprinting to the side and running around this cone before sprinting to the top. Here they turn completely around the cone, before sprinting forward to the start.

starting on the line, kick (from hands) the ball out 5 meters high into the air.<BR>Run out, keeping eyes on the ball and catch the ball before it reaches the ground.<BR>Once caught, quickly turn around and run back to starting position.

1) Run out to line - score a try - run back.(1b) Same - but forward roll on way out!)<br>2) Run out to line - score try - on way back <b>pass</b> ball to next person (then spin pass if they can).<br>3) Run out - <b>dive</b> to score a try - run back (better in long grass or when wet).<br><br><br><br>First team to win 3/4/5 races.<br>Change teams if one team is always coming last!<br>Repeat relay (after coaching) if first relay is not done well enough!<br>Only use relays as warm-ups - not for major part of lesson.

Groups of twoone ball per groupFirst player attacks space, the second player supportsPlay in any direction but pass backwards.Roles reverse when the ball has been passedSupport player should be no more than 3m away from the ball carrier at all times.