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channel DRILLS
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4 vs 1

Groups of 5 Combine grids to make 2 channels each 10m x 20m 1 Ball per group Ball carrier tries to score a try by running past the defender. Support players follow the ball carrier. If tagged, the ball carrier must pass the to one of his / her support players. The defender must GIVE the tag back before trying to make a second tackle.

Tag Rugby

4 vs 1 vs 1

Players work in groups of six, with 1 ball per group and set up in the following way: 4 attackers vs 1 defender (between the first cones) and another defender between the second set of cones. Defenders can only move sideways in an attempt to stop the attackers getting through the area.

Decision making

Catch me if you can

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.

Tag Rugby

Chain Reaction - Progression

2 x Adjacent 20m x 10m channels In the first channel, players pass the ball across the line in a chain. After the first pass, the player that started the chain remains in the middle to become a defender

Tag Rugby

Channels

1) Run down channels 1/2 / 3/4 pace. 2) No forward passes.3) Use 6 balls / 6 runners at the same time.Variation1) Speed it up.2) Sidestep within the channel.3) Sidestep into another channel.

Agility & Running Skills

Diamond Geezer

In fours players are moving up a channel. The support runner (blue player in the animation) calls themselves into the line, receives a pass, offloads and repeats down the second channel. Ideally you would like your players to form a diamond: a ball carrier, support running left, support running right, and a support runner behind who can come onto the ball at any angle. When the first group leaves the first channel, the second group should begin. That way there will always be activity. Players should change their positions in the diamond.

Agility & Running Skills

Loop

First attacker runs straight and passes to second attacker (in middle channel). First player runs around second to recieve the pass in the end channel.

Maul

Team of 5 v 1 v 1 v 1 v 1 v 1

2 x 20m x 10m Channels 5 Defenders in each channel, spaced 5m apar The attacking team of 5 players must beat each defender in turn by running or passing and score a try once all 5 defenders have been beaten. Defenders are only allowed to move sideways.

Tag Rugby

Narrow Channel Passing Passing...

Drill to practice attacking in a small channel.Set up a channel roughly 20m wide and 5m long. Position three defenders on the try-line and four attackers opposite them.The attack are trying to score tries over the try line while the defence try to stop them with a two handed touch. The defence can only move laterally.The attack must take the ball back over the white line of cones after every score/touch before they can attack again.

General

Rugby: Catch and pass channel ...

8+ players  Ball  Players stand at equal distance away at differnt points along the grid. One working player runs in the middle of the channel.  The players on the outside pass the ball into the running player. The Working player must complete 2 sets of passing - 1 run off each hand. 

General

Channel Ball Tackling - Rugby ...

This game is designed to teach the players about retiring to an onside position when a tackle is made. Set-up a field approximately 10m wide and 15 m long. Place all the rugby balls at one end. Split the players into 2 teams and send them to opposite ends of the field. The attackers are the players with the ball and the defenders without. Explain to the players with the ball and defenders without. Explain to the players that the attackers are to try and get the ball to the defenders line to score a try. The defenders are to try and stop them. After a successful tackle both the defender and the attacker must return to their line by running out and around the corner marker. To begin with few attackers will get the ball over the line, however, as the players start to rounding the markers - more space opens up and defenders become less organized.

General

Offloading channel Off Loads -...

Groups of 10+ Ball Bibs. In 5m Channel have 4 defenders stood one behind eachother 5m apart. Have 4 defenders stood in diamond formation. 1 ball carrier, 2 support runners, 1 trailer runner. Ball carrier takes on defender, trying to manoeuvre the defender or get on the outside of the defender using footwork and fend. Once the player has line of sight of a supporting attacker, the attacker returns to 2 hands on the ball, then offloads to support runner. The trailer runner then becomes the second support runner. continue up the grid until the defenders left.

General

3v2 Passing Channel Passing - ...

This is a 3 v 2 attack v defence situation where the attacking team must make passing decisions to get past the defenders and 'score a try'.Set out a playing area of about 10m x 5mThree attackers and two defenders line up next to the coach in the middle of the sideline of the areaOn GO, the players run round their ends of the area and the coach passes to one of the three attackers - the 3 v 2 is liveAttackers must try to get to the defenders' back line

General

Pass within a channel Passing ...

Tell the players the following..... This is simple, just attack from the bottom and top of the grid at pace. There can be two groups in the grid at any one time. Anyone in the line can start with the ball, and the attack should vary between lateral and creative. The ball and attack will be considered alive within the grid, so respond at all times. Players should change places within the attacking line after each attack. The starting position of the ball should change on each attack. Players should avoid contact within the grid.

General

Rugby: Last 15 Defence Drill -...

A drill to practice defending in wide channels.Set up a grid that is 40m wide and 20m long, with the 40m divided into a 25m channel (red to red cones) and a 15m channel (red to green cones).There are seven attackers (blue) and four defenders (red). Only two defenders are allowed in the 15m channel at a time.The seven attackers are trying to score against the defenders, they receive 5 points for scoring in the 25m channel and 10 points for scoring in the 15m channel. (Points system incentivises scoring in the wide channels)Every time the attack score they turn around and attack the other direction.PROGRESSION:Defenders can only enter the 15m channel when the ball is in that channel.

General

Support play down channel Pass...

5 players start in a 5x5m grid and can pass the ball to one another in any direction. Once the coach blows the whistle they explode with speed down the channel. The aim is to firstly not run into an agility pole, and secondly to pass to a player in support while attacking down the channel. Once a player has made a pass, he must get in behind the ball and support once again.

General

Handling channel 2 School - Ru...

To practice rucking, 1st man hits and presents, 2nd man clears and 3rd picks. Body positions are key (low to high), players work hard to present ball long and to get back in the game.

General

3v2 multiple channel Handling ...

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.

General

Handling in channels 3 School ...

Can evolve drilled by having 3 versus 2 in the wide channel. Start off with defenders being passive in order for attacking success and to develop their hands some pressure. In small channel; ball presentation and defenders now more active in wide channel. Make sure skills are performed accurately (long presentation on floor). Offloading in the tackle in the short channel is time. Make sure the support players come at speed and close to the offloader.

General

Channel & Lane Running Passing...

<span style=&quot;background-color: transparent;&quot;>Set up a 8 channels of cones 5 metres apart<span style=&quot;background-color: transparent;&quot;>A group of 4 players start on the side line, and all players need to work around the nearest/corner cone.<span style=&quot;background-color: transparent;&quot;>The first player with the ball will run into the nearest channel of cones (lane 1) and all the other players will work around the corner cone and filter into the proceeding channels<span style=&quot;background-color: transparent;&quot;>The 1st player passes the ball as soon as the 2nd player gets into the 2nd channel. The ball is passed down the line of 4 players until the 4th players receives the ball.<span style=&quot;background-color: transparent;&quot;>Once the 4th player receives the ball, the ball is placed down and all the players work around to get into their respective channel to repeat the process.<br>

General

Narrow - Wide Channel Agility ...

Groups of 4One ball per groupIn the narrow channel stand one behind the other, once into the big space- fan out.

General

Handling in channels School - ...

Great the large numbers, variety of skills in small areas and can be advanced/simplified for all abilities. Groups of 3, 3 channels. 2x5 m channels 1x15 m channel in the middle To evolve drill, have paths on the floor and players to off load. Keith is depth and communication. Make sure depth and quality of handling is high. Targets, follow-through and ball put in front runner.

General

Rugby League: Pass within a ch...

Set up the 10m x 40m Grid as shown.4 cones and 1 ball per group.Split the group into teams of three. On the coaches command the players start running up the channel passing between them, once they reach the end they turn around and come back repeating the passing.

General

4v3 Passing Channel Passing - ...

This is a 4 v 3 overload drill in favour of the attackersThe area is set out, with four attackers spread out across the back line, three defenders 5 yards in front them, and another row of three defenders 5 yards behind themOn GO, the coach passes to the first attacking player, and the ball travels along the line to eventually reach the end playerThat player is then first to reach the next line of defenders, and the ball is passed back along the line and the original attacker should receive the ball in space to 'score a try'.

General

2 vs 1 - with running support ...

The lead attacker runs at straight at defender. Attacks runs into space, either on the left or the right, takes the tackle and then off-loads to the support player who should be running down the opposite channel to the first attacker (so if the the first attacker runs left the support player goes right).

General

Channels Agility & Running Ski...

1) Run down channels 1/2 / 3/4 pace. <br>2) No forward passes.<br>3) Use 6 balls / 6 runners at the same time.<br><br><br><b>Variation</b><br>1) Speed it up.<br>2) Sidestep within the channel.<br>3) Sidestep into another channel.

General

2 v 1 into 3 v 2 Decision maki...

Drill to improve short space and wide space overlap play.Set up a grid 15m wide, split into a 5m channel and a 10m channel, and 10m long (see diagram).4 attackers (red) line up along one side, A1 and A2 within the 5m channel opposite D1(blue). A3 and A4 line up in the 10m channel opposite D2 and D3.A1 and A2 run a 2v1 against D1 in the 5m channel. When A2 receives the ball they run out of the 5m channel into the 10m channel and into a 3v2 situation linking with A3 and A4 attacking D2 and D3.D2 and D3 can't move until A2 enters the 10m channel, and to start with can only move laterally along the try line.DISCUSSION:If players are struggling to execute the 3 v 2 situation, widen the 10m channel to 15m and once they have success at this width bring the channel back to 10m wide.PROGRESSION:D2 and D3 can move off the line to put pressure on the attack once A2 enters the 10m channel.

General

Loop Maul - Rugby Drills, Rugb...

First attacker runs straight and passes to second attacker (in middle channel). First player runs around second to recieve the pass in the end channel.

General

Building The Loop Passing - Ru...

Tell your players the following..... One group of 4 players will be in defence. The other two groups of 4 will be in attack, they will attack one group at a time. There will be two attackerss and two defenders in the first two channels, the third channel will be open and free of attackers and defenders. The fourth channel will have an attacker and defender, the fifth channel will be free of attackers and defenders, the sixth channel will have an attacker and defender, and the last channel will be free of attackers or defenders. Defenders can move forward and side to side within their own channel, but they cannot leave their channel. Attackers attack their own channels, but can call a loop (L1,L2,L3 etc.) in order to attack the open channels. Allow players to discover solutions, question - try not to tell. Change the defenders.

General

Rugby: Decision Making Exercis...

The players stood behind the line work the ball up through the channel in groups of 5. As they progress up the area they work the ball left and right. Defenders are placed on cones which have been given a number. As the group work their way up the channel the coach could call <em>1</em>. At this point one player from cone <em>1</em> runs out to defend. If a call of <em>1</em>, <em>2</em> is made then one player from cone <em>1</em> and <em>2</em> come out to defend. A call of <em>2</em>,<em>2</em> means two players from cone 2 come out to defend and so on... The diagram shows a call of <em>4, 1.</em>

General

Rugby: Hit The Gap Drill - Dec...

A drill to practice decision making and finding space between defenders.Set up a line of three defenders with tackle shields (roughly 2m apart), with one defender 2/3m behind the middle defender (blue - see diagram).Roughly 5m opposite the defenders set up three attackers, one opposite the middle defender with the ball and one either side of the ball carrier (red - see diagram).When the ball carrier starts running towards the defenders the defender behind moves in to fill one of the defensive gaps. The attackers must successfully select the space and pass the ball to the player to run through the gap and score. PROGRESSION:Defenders put more pressure on attackers.All players must touch the ball. The third attacker must get through their space as a support player.The ball starts on one side instead of in the middle and players have to call whether the space is the first gap or the second gap, in which case the ball carrier should through a miss-pass.

General

Double Trouble Sevens - Rugby ...

Tell your players the following..... The first attacking until enters through the top of the first channel, the defender there can then move forward and challenge them. They should complete the 2 v 1 and proceed down the channel, entering the second channel, completing a second 2 v 1. They will then return to their starting position for the next opportunity to attack. The second attacking group should go whenever they feel there is enough distance between the attacking units. There should be very little standing around. This exercise can be touch or contact. You should change the defenders after a set period of time.

General

Pass and Support Sevens - Rugb...

Give each training area one ball and tell the players the following...... Lets just get the ball moving down the line. Give the player at the start of one of the lines a ball, tell the line to advnce using laterial passing - with the last player in each line passing the ball to the first player in the opposite line. After some time (your call on how long this should be). Tell the players that, with the exception of the first player in each line, every reciever will not be able to pass the ball until touched on the shoulder by the player that passed them the ball. Every passer must follow their pass, touching the reciever on the shoulder to release the next pass. After the supporting player has made their touch, and the ball has been passed, they should return to their original channel. Players should change positions in the line following each attack.

General

3-Kick Warmup Kicking - Rugby ...

Drill to warm up/practice different types of kick.Players form two lines in the 15m channels with all the balls starting on one side.The player with the ball at the front of the line runs out and does a cross-field punt to a partner on the opposite side of the pitch - kick labelled 1.The partner catches the ball, and does a chip kick which they chase and gather themselves - kick labelled 2. Once they have gathered their chip kick they perform a grubber kick to their partner who has continued their run. Aiming to kick the ball between the posts for their partner to gather and score - kick labelled 3.Players jog back to join the back of the opposite line.Once the first pair have performed the chip kick, the next pair in line can go.

General

3 v 2 v 2 Handling - Rugby Dri...

Set up a channel with two sets of defenders working in pairs inside. Three attacking players start with the ball and run around the far cone, realigning as they run around the cone. Players then play out the 3v2. After this first 3v2 the attackers must move the ball quickly and play out the second 3v2.

General

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channel SESSIONS
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Effective Counter Attacking - Options after a Turnover

Can your team counter quickly? A speedy attack after a turnover is a great way for your team to score as the opposition will be out of position

Offloading - Keeping the ball alive

Cross the gain line and Improve how your players handle the pressure with this quick rugby session - designed to improve passing/offloading during and after contact!

Spatial Awareness and Attacking the Space

Change channel to find space with this week's using the full width of the pitch scanning and heads up attacking session

Contact and Handling skills

Play with forward momentum and get your players back into the swing of offloading the ball when under pressure

Junior Tag - Fun passing and fast hands session

A fun tag session, perfect junior and senior players alike to work on their speedy running with depth and passing to your team-mates!
channel ANSWERS
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Hooking with left foot

Hi, Few years ago, I have heard a hooker telling that sometimes he was hooking with the left foot. I did not try to ask further at that time, but now I am wondering to know in which circumstance should a hooker do so. Is he allowed ? mostly for the team introducing the ball or the opposing team ? To have a stronger pressure against the opposing 1st row ? Thx for your comments

Archived User Coach

I have a quick question on the positioning of the hooker in the scrum primarily feet positioning, is there a guide or is it what ever the hooker feels comfortable with to get the job done. I´ve noticed a wide stance throws the props off.

Ask a question and have it answered by Coaches from around the world and IRB Educators.

Tony Meza Coach, Costa Rica

where can I get an under 8 year program of training?

where can I get an under 8 year program of training or activities to introduce them to the game of Rugby?

Archived User Coach

how do you stop a 15 breaking through the gain line

how do you stop a 15 breaking through

Andy Stephens Coach, Scotland

Not sure if this question has been asked...but is drift?

Not sure if this question has been asked...but is drift defence REALLY the BEST way to combat the fullback entering the line?

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

Flood the channel

I keep hearing the term flood the channel, what does this mean?

Archived User Coach

RFU - proposed Mini's rule changes

RFU - proposed Mini's rule changes%3A All - just a quick straw poll%3A Have any CLUBS that you are aware of officially come out in SUPPORT of these changes? If not, have they come out officially rejecting the proposed changes, or are they adopting a "wait and see" attitude? Regards Stephe

Archived User Coach

a que llaman canal 1,2 y 3 en el rugby alguien me puede?

a que llaman canal 1,2 y 3 en el rugby alguien me puede explicar porque no entiendo el concepto agradeceria si ayuda muchas gracias call channel to 1.2 and 3 in rugby can someone explain me why I do not understand the concept would appreciate if you help thank you very much.Translated by Sportplan Team

Javier Marcelo Ferreyra Andrada Coach, Argentina

I'm working with kids aged 10 and 11. A major problem?

I'm working with kids aged 10 and 11. A major problem is getting them to have some sense of position on the pitch. In other words how do I stop them all running after the ball.e

Cameron Taylor Coach, Scotland

u8s running sideways not forward!

What drills would anybody reccomend to encourage forward running in an u8s side,whilst keeping it fun?Some players tend to crab along the pitch.

Archived User Coach

Are there any drills to encourage my 3/4s to return to midfield quickly?

Are there any drills to encourage three-quarters to quickly return to the midfield to defend 2nd phase possession? My U11s backs get drawn into rucks amp; mauls and leave the opposition too much attacking space in midfield. Thanks

Simon Luxton Coach, England

Flanker pickup from scrum

Is it legal for a flanker to unbind and pick up the ball from a scrum if the ball comes to his channel?

Archived User Coach

bunching

How to stop bunching

Craig Thomas Coach, Wales

Subscription payment via incorrect channel

I have cancelled my subscription due to no longer coaching this season, I will however return when I am with my next club as I have found this to be a service i rely upon to be organised for my team

Tiffany Gordon Coach, Australia

Team defense

Hey, what are good exercises / drills to exercise team dedense when you have only one team? thanks

Jaco Coetzee Coach, United States

Flood the channel | Sportplan

I keep hearing the term flood the channel, what does this mean?

Archived User Coach

Improving game awareness. How ...

Improving game awareness. How can I improve players insight into "what happens next", besides by whatching (games)? Players tend to be fixed on the ball(situation) and seldom look at what is in front of them%3A how can I stimulated them to take time to quickly look around and assess the situation?

Yvonne Bouman Coach, Netherlands

Flanker pickup from scrum - Sp...

Is it legal for a flanker to unbind and pick up the ball from a scrum if the ball comes to his channel?

Archived User Coach
channel COMMUNITY DRILLS
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Attacking Channels

Moving defense line

NIKE - PHASE 3 - BLIND breakdown

Channel Ball

Autosave 65491534

Autosave 60559495

1 on 1 tackle

12 Pivot BD 1

Fending Off Break Out Drill

Wing out BD 1

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