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Rugby: create space

create space DRILLS
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2 v 2 (switch)

This is a basic 2 v 2 drill to allow players to progress from a simple 2 v 1. In a channel no wider than 10m, 2 attackers have 5 attempts to score a try on the red cones. The attackers try to create space and beat the defenders by running good support and holding lines. Condition defence so that the defender marking support runner stays out and doesn't move in to defend ball carrier

Decision making

2 vs 2 (in - out line)

In a channel no wider than 10m, two attackers have 5 attempts to score a try on the red cones. The attackers try to create space and beat the defenders by running good support and holding lines.

Decision making

2 vs 2 (loop and step inside)

This is a basic 2 vs 2 drill to allow players to progress from a simple 2 v 1. In a channel no wider than 10m, 2 attackers have 5 attempts to score a try on the red cones. The attackers try to create space and beat the defenders by running good support and holding lines.

Decision making

2 vs 2 (out - in support line)

This is a basic 2 v 2 drill to allow players to progress from a simple 2 v 1. In a channel no wider than 10m, 2 attackers have 5 attempts to score a try on the red cones. The attackers try to create space and beat the defenders by running good support and holding lines.

Decision making

4v1v1 Down the Line

Attackers (red players) work down the channel in 4s, working the runners left and right to create space. Defenders are only allowed to defend along their line, marked out with 2 cones. Attackers run in a diamond shape, onto the ball at pace. It's key the support do not get too flat and shoud all be involved. Focus on pass target.

Decision making

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.

Defensive Patterns

More Loop

Tell your players the following...... The ball carrier (A) runs straight in a line and makes a normal lateral pass to the supporting player (B) After passing the ball A runs towards and behind B After B catches the pass they angle their run towards the direction the pass has come from and so create space A runs around B and straightens as they receive the pass In effect you want the players to loop around the new ball carrier after they make their pass.

Passing

Realignment and Passing

Out in 4s - simple hands - When players reach the end they should turn left. Group realigns around the cone and then use simple hands to finish. You can put defenders into the second channel to increase the difficulty of this drill.

Match Related

Tag: Hounds and Hairs

The attackers need to get from one end of the grid, a safe zone, to the other end of the grid, another safe zone, without getting touched. You decide if the touch should be two hands or one hand. You decide when Hares can run, the attack begins on your call and each Hare has 10 seconds to start their attack. If a Hare is touched, they become a Hound - joining the defence. The last Hare standing or touched is the winner. The last two Hares in each game, become the first two Hounds. Tell your players the laws of this game, but keep your player briefing, brief!

Warm Up

Waterfall Attack

The drill starts with 2 attackers in blue, standing behind one another, 5m from the 1st defender/attacker in red. The blue players attacks the red defender, once they pass him the defender/attacker joins the attacking team in one motion - therefore 2 players will be ahead with 1 backup supporter creating a 3v2 situation. The 3 attackers now attack the 2 red defenders. Once the attackers beat the 2 red defenders the two defenders also join the attack to make it a 5v3. The 3 defenders at the end stay on. The 2 attackers, 2 defenders and 1 defender must be replaced by new player to keep the drill continuous and stimulating

Match Related

Attacking Overload - Exploit T...

The drill starts with two teams of equal players playing a standard game of touch. Whenever a touch is made, the defender immediately joins the attacking side and acts as scrum half. This creates an attacking overload. Players must try to score a try by exploiting the overload in the least amount of touches. The drill resets after a try is scored.

General

Mid-Space attack Decision maki...

There are 4 cones in a rectangle , 2 red and 2 blue. The 2 defenders stand within the square, and on the coach's call, they must go and touch the called colour cone.As the coach calls it the attackers can go.The ball starts with the attacker in the middle.His aim is to attack the space in between the two players, and execute the first opportunity that presents itself. either one of the players will move in on him, therefore opening up space for the support runner on that side, or both will commit to him, or none in which case he is through!

General

Creating the Overlap With a Lo...

This drill is designed to work on the loop; on of the simplest and most effective ways to create your own overlap/space out wide Start with three attackers and three defenders using tackle bags in front of them.Attacker 1 passes to attacker 2 and begins to loop around.Player 1 should then receive the ball back and his next aim is to fix the third defender.Attacker three should make his way out to the edge where the space has been created.Attacker 1 then passes to attacker 3 who has space to get around the defence. Using this drill will develop your players handling under pressure and their attacking vision and ability to create space

General

2 vs 2 (in - out line) Decisio...

In a channel no wider than 10m, two attackers have 5 attempts to score a try on the red cones. The attackers try to create space and beat the defenders by running good support and holding lines.

General

Hit The Gap Drill Decision mak...

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

Rugby: Running into space from...

2 groups of 2 players start on set cones about 15m apart. The 2 players are situated one in behind the other, the same goes for the second set of 2 players. Once the player with the ball starts to run, the supporter goes wide and straightens onto a gate of cones. As soon as he passes the ball the second supporter can start to move out to his designated gate. Ensure that the players hide behind one another!

General

Find The Space Tag Rugby - Rug...

Make one large 20m x 20m grid. Players work individually and must run in any direction in the grid, trying to avoid contact by running into space. When the coach calls stop, all players must be at least 1m from the nearest player.

General

Continuous 3 vs 2 Decision mak...

Set up a grid roughly 7m x 5m with three lines of attackers on one side (blue), and two defenders on the other (red). The aim of the drill is for attackers to execute 3 vs 2 situations and score. The defenders can only move side to side between the red cones.The attackers start with the ball and run towards the try line (red cones). The ball carrier has two options of who to pass to, the near support player or the wide support player. The ball carrier must draw the first defender and then react to the movement of the second defender to decide who to pass to. He passes to his support player who scores. Once the attacker scores he passes the ball to the next set of attackers who attack against the same defenders. The previous attackers get in position for the next repetition.The attack can start from any of the players, it does not have to start at the same side each time.

General

Quick Passing To Space Passing...

Give each training area one ball and tell the players the following...... One of the attacking lines takes the ball. They simply attack, moving the ball through the hands - lateral passing only. The defenders (there will be three), mark the first three attacks, they leave the forth free. Defenders can move up and down, left and right, but must leave channel 4 open. Defender start 10 meters back. The ball must go through all four attacking hands. Don't forget to switch the attackers and defenders.

General

Game To Coach Depth Sevens - R...

Four attackers, two defenders in quite a small playing area - trying to find space.The aim is for each team of four to try to score as many 'tries' as they can consecutively. Failure to score means the team of four changes over to the next team.Touch rugby game play.Attacking four players are aiming to touch the ball down on an end line.Defenders are aiming to touch the attackers.

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

Find the space Handling - Rugb...

Players run in any direction in the grid trying to avoid contact by running into space. When the teacher calls stop, all players must be at least 1m from the next nearest player. Pass the ball around your back at the same time. <em>Option</em>: throw the ball in the air and catch as you run around

General

2 vs 2 (in - out line) Decisio...

In a channel no wider than 10m, two attackers have 5 attempts to score a try on the red cones. The attackers try to create space and beat the defenders by running good support and holding lines.

General

Drop Out Touch Warm Up - Rugby...

Two teamsAttacking and defensive focusNormal game of touch rugby, however whenever the defender touches an attacker, they must run back to their own try line and stay out the game until the play breaks downAttacking team look to identify the space created from defensive drop outWorking on defensive communication and work rate

General

Rugby Netball Agility & Runnin...

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.

General

Quick Passing To Space Sevens ...

Give each training area one ball and tell the players the following...... One of the attacking lines takes the ball. They simply attack, moving the ball through the hands - lateral passing only. The defenders (there will be three), mark the first three attacks, they leave the forth free. Defenders can move up and down, left and right, but must leave channel 4 open. Defender start 10 meters back. The ball must go through all four attacking hands. Don't forget to switch the attackers and defenders.

General

Space Invaders Warm Up - Rugby...

Keep your playing briefing, brief and tell the players the following laws. Both teams are in attack and both teams are in defence, at the same time! It is up to you how many players you allocate to your attack and how many you allocate to your defence. If you are touched while carrying the ball (decide if the touch is one handed or two handed), you and your entire team must return to your red zone before being able to restart your attack. While your team is returning to your own zone - you cannot defend the neutral zone and any touches in there will not count. If your team makes a mistake e.g. a dropped ball or forward pass. Your entire team must return to your own red zone, not defending the neutral zone as you retreat. The winning team is the team that invades the oppositions space and scores a try, just outside the grid, first. There is no offside in defence. There is no kicking.

General

Scattered defence - 6 vs 4 Dec...

Groups of ten work with one ball per group Defenders scattered around the grid, static and can only operate sideways If touched, the ball carrier must pass the ball immediately.

General

Loop Pass Passing - Rugby Leag...

The ball carrier (A) runs straight in a line and makes a normal lateral pass to the supporting player (B) After passing the ball A runs towards and behind B After B catches the pass they angle their run towards the direction the pass has come from and so create space A runs around B and straightens as they receive the pass

General

3 vs 2 - Sprint to support Dec...

15m x 35m Grid. 1 Attacker starts on the half way line of the grid, with the other two outside of the grid back to back with two defenders. On the command the one attacker runs around the red cone, with the other one running around the blue cone - likewise for the defenders. Once they have run around the cones a 3 vs 2 will develop. If the player with the ball passes immediately this will give a 3 vs 2 in the middle of the pitch.

General

create space DRILL CATEGORIES
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Agility & Running Skills
Agility & Running Skills
create space SESSIONS
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Developing Invasive Attacking Skills!

Improve your players decision making to help them recognise where the space will develop and how they can maximise their success when they create the space, either by going into contact and offloading, or passing before the tackle.

Proactive Attack!

Improve your players decision making and passing ability and timing and attack proactively with pace and decisiveness to cut through defences at will.

Dominant, decisive attack

Create a dominant and decisive attack in your team with this session, focusing on their ability to offload under pressure

2v1 Attacking Skills Session

Improve your players' 2v1 confidence and introduce them to the dummy pass, support running and offloading in this attacking session!

Mismatch Gold - Making the most of the numbers

Create space by shifting the focus of your attack and practice exploiting the mismatch with this Sevens Session
create space ANSWERS
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can anyoune suggest some line out moves for under 12s?

can anyoune suggest some line out moves for under 12s?

Spitfire Coach, England

In what situation is the miss pass best employed

In what situation is the miss pass best employed

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

How is the best way to develop play from a lineout?

How is the best way to develop play from a lineout to expliot my teams strengh which is based upon fast powerful high scoring wingers?

Archived User Coach

How can I improve my tackling?

How can I improve my tackling? I'm new to the game this year, and I had a couple of injuries to my shoulder and ribs early on which held me back somewhat. I was diving in and making good hits before- now as I approach being fully fit again I have found if I hit a player running at me with my shoulder around hip-height, I make good contact, but fail to get the wrap with the arms, and often don't bring the man down. On bigger lads I've tried hitting as low as possible, but often end up with one leg, sometimes two, and very low, still not getting the desired effect.... So, depending on the size of the opponent, where should I be hitting with the shoulder? Hips, knees, or other? And any tips on getting the wrap right? Thanks

Archived User Coach

Looking to open a bit of a debate. I was running a?

Looking to open a bit of a debate. I was running a 'coach the coaches' course last night and I asked the candidates 'do you coach your players to run at the man? or run at space?'. There was a 50/50 split, the older coaches said 'the man', younger ones 'the space', and others who'd never played before 'both!'. What do you coach?

Archived User Coach

What are the key performance indicators for a lock ?

What are a lock's key performance indicators during a game ?

Greg Nelson Coach, Australia

miss pass variations help please

miss pass variations help please

Archived User Coach

Miss pass - got the basics. How can improve on it /next?

Miss pass - got the basics. How can improve on it /next stage?

Archived User Coach

what are the rules of tag rugby?

what are the rules of tag rugby?

Chris Mason Coach, England

Vision and Anticipation??!!!

Hi guys, Thanks for everyone that answered my question on Stats!!! I am in the process of drawing up a sheet and sharing it with those that want. Next Question%3A I have come up with a few drills that I think will improve my players Vision, anticipation and decision making. I am wondering if anyone will share their ideas and process to improve these aspects of players especially VISION? I know the 2v1 and 3v2 drills ext for decision making but I want to focus more on VISION and ANTICIPATION. Any ideas??? Thanks again. Shaun

Archived User Coach

First time coaching U9 and U10s - anyone got any backline coaching tips?

Hi im a first time coach and is still getting the hang of how the technical details of the game works the back line is my department and whould like any help i can get to know what drills to do and anything helpfull in the backline im currently coaching for the under 9 and 10

Archived User Coach

Trouble gettng the ball to our winger from first phase ball

We have two very fast wingers but we cannot get them the ball . Teams are coming up fast and we are lucky to get the ball to the O. C. We have tried setting up further back but too many times we are getting caught behind the gain lines when we do that. Any ideas?

john mcmullen Coach, United States of America

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

I am looking for Loop pass coa...

I am looking for Loop pass coaching games to improve my player game.

Archived User Coach

Best Practice for the Loop Pas...

Best Practice for the Loop Pass

Archived User Coach

how loop pass | Sportplan

loop pass

BC Coach, Canada

How can i develop the loop pas...

How can i develop the loop pass

Dan Linford-Jones Coach, England

U8s crowding the ball | Sportp...

Hey all,Can anyone suggest some drills or tips to try and help my under 8s from crowding the ball carrier, We are finding that all of the team huddle around the ball carrier at Starts / Restarts. I dont want to keep stopping play to tell them that huddling around the ball carrier is not creating the space they need as i sound like a broken record.Any suggestions very welcome.Cheers

Matt Osborne Coach, England

Perfecting attack structure | ...

Drills to perfect the 1 3 3 1 attack structure Asked using Sportplan on Mobile

Pedro Waqa Coach, Fiji

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