Rugby: back 3

back 3 DRILLS
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Flip It

Be brief when telling the players the laws of this game, it's important to get them moving quickly. This is not a contact game. Break your players into two teams, giving each team their own colour of bibs if necessary. One team goes to attack, and one to defence. Nominate a Scrum Half for each team. There is no kicking in this game. Normal laws of rugby apply e.g. a forward pass will result in the ball being turned over to the opposition. If an attacking player is touched: they must go to ground, present the ball, two of their teammates ruck over (staying over the ball), and the Scrum Half moves the ball for the next phase of attack. When you start playing this game make sure that the defence is employing your defensive pattern around the ruck. As the game develops consider telling the defenders that they must have one or more players at the back of the ruck, if they are not fast enough to do this - push them back 10 meters. It’s important that defenders are employing their defensive pattern behind the primary defensive line. Have attacking players do what they normally would at the ruck. Depending on your goals decide on the number of touches you wish to allow e.g. unlimited is not a bad option as mistakes will be made! When you feel the time is appropriate, usually during a ruck, blow you whistle and should FLIP IT – kicking in or throwing in a second ball to the back 3/2 defenders on the team currently in defence OR just kick it behind the defenders. The defensive team goes, without hesitation, into attack. The team that was attacking goes into defence and you or an assistant coach remove the other ball from play when you can. Ideally you might have two balls with different markings. Don't hesitate to shape the game to focus on your session goals, and let us and other coaches know what worked for you!

Warm Up

back 3 ANSWERS
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What is the current thinking regarding kickoff receiving alignment?

What is the current thinking regarding kickoff receiving alignment?

Gary Kent Coach, United States of America

We have a new team forming, all of the fowards are novices except for two of us (Prop and Hooker) from a different team helping out. Any drilling advice woud be very appreciated

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Tony Meza Coach, Costa Rica

devise a four man line out game throwing two opstions

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Archived User Coach

Back Row support of 12

Hi there. Does anyone have any session plans on back row support of 12 taking quick ball off the top of a lineout?

Archived User Coach

Any view on counter attacking a full back entering?

Any view on counter attacking a full back entering the line against a man to man marking system?

David Coach, England

I am trying to put together a season long coaching?

I am trying to put together a season long coaching schedule for under 13s and under 14s covering all the aspects of the game

Archived User Coach

I need to keep a training diary and I have no clue?

I need to keep a training diary and I have no clue as how to start one

Archived User Coach

Simon that for the answers to my questions, has stimulated?

Simon that for the answers to my questions, has stimulated the old grey matter. One additional question, in defending an attacking full back would you use the back 3 in a sweeping pattern.

Paul Brooker Coach, England

Making the full-back position an attractive proposition.

Making the full-back position an attractive proposition. Often over-looked, the full-back position is a vital player in anyones team if he is used and brought into the game. Does anyone have any technical/positional material to coach prospective players in this position?

Archived User Coach

Looking for varations for touch rugby games.

Looking for varations for touch rugby games. Using as a bit of preseason want to freshen the game up.

Jack Redfern Coach, England

I am coaching the U11 this season. There are some significant?

U11 Rugby I am coaching the U11's this season. There are some significant rule changes from U10. Please can I get some advice on what lessons were learned from coaches who have been through a similar experience.

William OBrien Coach, England

First time coaching the U13s next season - any tips greatly appreciated!

I have just started helping our head coach with under12's team. He wants to retire and has put me forward to be head coach next season. I am a little worried on how i should aproach training with the boys, going to a full 15 a side team on a full pitch. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

Archived User Coach

Back 3 positioning to defend a kick

I am looking to work with my back 3 on how to defend a kick and turn this into attack. I need to work on their positioning as well.Any drills/suggestions appreciated.

Archived User Coach

Looking for day 0 skills to teach children?

I am looking for a Day 0 type of session for American children who may have never held a rugby ball. If I move forward with a rugby exhibition/team creation in the neighborhood, I want to make sure I know how/what to teach Day 0. I'm hoping that interest is growing for touch and flag rugby due to the recent in Philadelphia between the USA Eagles and the Maori All Blacks. I was there. It was fantastic. Tickets sold out so fast, I think there will be more of these in the area. Thanks.

Doug Jones Coach, United States of America

U10s mini rugby small sided game variations

I did the level 1 and have bought into the philosophy - small sided, conditioned games rather than drills with boys standing in lines and being told where to run. I think it would be good to share ideas of variations that coaches use to focus on specific areas, and how to keep it fresh week in week out.Simply, I award points for good application of the skill we're focusing on. 3 points for good body position in the ruck or driving an opponent back. Only 3 points for a try motivates them to execute the skills.

Wayne Jeremiah Coach, England

How can I prevent an overlap?

Which drills can I use to train my team how to prevent an overlap out wide?

Heini Van Staden Coach, South Africa

Back 3 positioning to defend a...

I am looking to work with my back 3 on how to defend a kick and turn this into attack. I need to work on their positioning as well.Any drills/suggestions appreciated.

Archived User Coach

Which defence system is the mo...

Which defence system is the most effective for 15-man rugby and what drills can I use for the rush/sliding defence...especially to get the guys in the inside to slide with and close up the inside gap from the 2nd phase onwards.

Rossi Marx Coach, South Africa

Kicking for space drill | Spor...

Hows it going. Im a backs and skills coach in Scotland Our kicks from hand during a game always seems to go straight to an opposition player. Looking for a drill that helps kick for space and getting their heads upCheers

David duguid Coach, Scotland

Attacking scrum - what back li...

Any "simple" attacking moves from a scrum that you can recommend for a U15s XV side. Looking to get them to think about how the back line would would set up and have different options from a) center field and b) tight left or right all at the half way mark.

Dave Greenwood Coach, England

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