Contact Help center
Rugby Rugby
HOME Rugby Coaching Trends SEARCH

Rugby: crum half pass

crum half pass DRILLS
View All

Man to Man

3 attackers and 2 defenders. The scrum half passes to the first receiver of group of 3 attackers. The 3 attacking players must then pass the ball down the line as they attempt to beat the defenders.

Defensive Patterns

Maul Touch

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, but there will be some light contact. 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, it will be their job to move the ball from the back of the maul and out to an attacking line. 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 stop and turn, a maul is then built based on how you have trained your players to Maul. Only four players should be in the maul - but every player should be able to maul - including the backs! When you start playing this game make sure that the defence is employing your defensive pattern around the maul. They will commit 4 players, but will not do anything more than provide light resistance. Once formed the maul can take four steps before moving the ball. If there is a delay in creating the maul, or the quality of the maul is poor - the ball can be turned over. 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! If a team has been in possession for a long time, don't forget to turn the ball over to give the opposition a run. 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

One Touch Ruck

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 defense. 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 defense 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. 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! 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

Passing Central

Keep your player briefing, brief - and get the players moving as quickly as you can. You may consider having a demo group. On your go: The player acting as the Scrum Half passes a ball to the grid on his right and then another ball to the grid on his left, both passes will be from the ground. Upon receiving the pass - each grid begins their 2 v 1 attack and the player with the tackle pad presses up in defence. When the player acting as the scrum half has completed their two passes, they join the attackers on either the left or right grid. The first receiver of each attack becomes a Scrum Half - or simply returns to the start of the grid to join a new attack as the first receiver. Players rotate positions e.g. Scrum Half, First Receiver, Second Receiver. Defenders can move forward and back, and side to side. Change the defenders often to give them a chance in attack.

Passing

Pod-Ruck

On the shout of "GO" the scrum half passes to the player on the first cone, who attacks the 1st bag. Once the bag is attacked and cleared out, the scrum half then passes to the player at the 2nd cone.Once the player at the 2nd cone has attacked their back, the scrum half then passes the ball to the person on the 3rd cone who repeats the exercise.Once the last bag is attacked the exercise is repeated.

Ruck

Rapid Rucking

In this exercise position 3 pad holding units, or 1 or 2 players, five meters in front of 3 rucking units, 1 unit facing each pad. Two players on each pad will provide a little more support for the pad holder - this is useful when a smaller player on the pad may be facing a larger/heavier ball carrier, or an aggressive rucking unit. There should be one scrum half and only the first rucking group should have a ball. Get started as soon as you can (but don't forget to make sure that the pad holder is holding the pad correctly and that everyone is working hard, but staying safe) - just let the players do what they will, you can refine their rucking roles and the level of execution as the exercise continues. The first rucking unit should hit the first pad, the scrum half will pass the ball to the second unit which hits the second pad, the scrum half passes the ball to the third unit, which hits the third pad. The other pads and the rucking units realign and get ready to go again. Once the third unit has finished their ruck, the scrum half passes the ball back to the second unit and so on. The exercise should stay live for as long as you need, and be action packed. Please don't have players standing around for too long, everyone should have something to do - and they should be involved! Enjoy.

Ruck

Reloading and passing practice

Have 8-10 players standing in a line with a scrum half at the end a few metres in front. Scrum half passes the ball to a player. Passing down the line for 4-6 passes and moving forward until the ball reaches the end of the line. Not every player has to touch the ball. Then the person at the end passes a long ball back to scrum half, and they turn and do the same in the other direction.

Passing

Scoring Zones

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 defense. 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.The defence must commit three players to every ruck, or risk an infringement which will see tem pushed back ten meters. The ball must be moved from the ruck within 5 seconds. Make sure that the defense is employing your defensive pattern around the ruck.  Throughout the game the coach call the point of attack e,g, attack RED ZONE or Zone 2. The coach can also call the scoring zone, Score At Zone Yellow or Zone 3. As the game progresses have the players call the point of attack, and the scoring zones - but they must do this early and they must committ to that attack for a period of time. 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! On a mistake or after a period of time, turn the ball over so that both teams get time in attack and defence. 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

Scrum Half Pass

UPDATE

zPassing

Simple Drift Defence

3 attacks - 2 defenders Scrum half passes to first receiver of group of 3 3 attack 2 passing ball down line

Defensive Patterns

Scrum Half Pass zPassing - Rug...

UPDATE

General

Reloading and passing practice...

Have 8-10 players standing in a line with a scrum half at the end a few metres in front.Scrum half passes the ball to a player. Passing down the line for 4-6 passes and moving forward until the ball reaches the end of the line. Not every player has to touch the ball.Then the person at the end passes a long ball back to scrum half, and they turn and do the same in the other direction.

General

Passing Central Passing - Rugb...

Keep your player briefing, brief - and get the players moving as quickly as you can. You may consider having a demo group. On your go: The player acting as the Scrum Half passes a ball to the grid on his right and then another ball to the grid on his left, both passes will be from the ground. Upon receiving the pass - each grid begins their 2 v 1 attack and the player with the tackle pad presses up in defence. When the player acting as the scrum half has completed their two passes, they join the attackers on either the left or right grid. The first receiver of each attack becomes a Scrum Half - or simply returns to the start of the grid to join a new attack as the first receiver. Players rotate positions e.g. Scrum Half, First Receiver, Second Receiver. Defenders can move forward and back, and side to side. Change the defenders often to give them a chance in attack.

General

Pod-Ruck Ruck - Rugby Drills, ...

On the shout of &quot;GO&quot; the scrum half passes to the player on the first cone, who attacks the 1st bag. Once the bag is attacked and cleared out, the scrum half then passes to the player at the 2nd cone.<br /><br />Once the player at the 2nd cone has attacked their back, the scrum half then passes the ball to the person on the 3rd cone who repeats the exercise.<br /><br />Once the last bag is attacked the exercise is repeated.

General

Scrum Half Pole Position Seven...

Tell the players the following..... Each player has four poles and six balls, the winner is the player that hits the most poles - you cannot leave your cone and must hit the poles by passing. You can only hit each pole once. You can make this game a little harder by moving the cones further back from the poles.

General

Scrum Half - Shotgun Alley Sev...

Explain to thescrum halfs that they are to attempt to pass the ball at the attackers and attempt to hit them below the shoulders. It won't be a completed pass as the attackers are just trying to avoid getting hit. The scrum halfs can move sideways along the edge of grid, however, cannot move forward into the grid. The attackers can attack when they like, and if hit they can be out - or have more than one life. When an scrum half makes it through the grid successfully, with out being directly hit by a pass, they wait at the other end till all the other attackers make it. The scrum halfs must make their passes/hits from the groud.

General

Wave After Wave Passing - Rugb...

Keep your player briefing, brief! Tell the players the following or have a demonstration group..... We have 1 scrum half, 4 runners and 3 defenders with tackle/ruck shields. The scrum half starts the attacking line by passing a ball from the ground at the first cone, to the first receiver in the attacking line. The defenders start 10 meters back and press up on the first 3 attackers, leaving the 4th attacker free. The attackers use quick hands to move the ball down the line, before the next cone. The last receiver sets the ball down, the attack line will have realigned, and the scrum half will now be on the second cone of the opposite side of the grid ready to restart the attack. The defenders rush 10 meters back and and once again press up on the first 3 attackers, leaving the 4th attacker free. They keep going until the end of the grid, turn around - and do the same working down the grid. Don't forget to change the defenders.

General

Simple Drift Defence Defensive...

3 attacks - 2 defenders Scrum half passes to first receiver of group of 3 3 attack 2 passing ball down line

General

Attack Vs Defence Continuous D...

<span style=&quot;background-color: transparent;&quot;>Set a cone 2 meters from the defensive line. This will mark where the ball will passed from (feed) preferably from a scrum half.<span style=&quot;background-color: transparent;&quot;>Set a cone 0.5 meters each side from the mid point of the passing cone to simulate the sides of the ruck.<span style=&quot;background-color: transparent;&quot;>Set a cone a cone 5 meters from the ruck on the defensive line. 4 players start as attackers3 defenders start on their stomaches on the other side of the defensive cone (ruck) and 1 player on the defensive cone 5 metres from the ruck<span style=&quot;background-color: transparent;&quot;>The player on the 5 meter cone (defence) starts the drill by shouting ‘FOLD’ (or whatever call your team may use).<span style=&quot;background-color: transparent;&quot;>Defenders on their stomachs get up and fold around the ruck to take up a defence position. Players fold wide first, and ensure that 2 players are close to the ruck (Guard and Body Guard). <span style=&quot;background-color: transparent;&quot;>The player on the defensive cone bounces out (takes space in the defence line), the first player who folds takes up a position on the 5 meter defence cone (or inside the first attacking player)<span style=&quot;background-color: transparent;&quot;>Once the defence line is set the scrum half can pass the ball.<span style=&quot;background-color: transparent;&quot;>The attackers work to beat the defence, setting up a 'tip' (running a hard line) and 'pull back' option. They should read the defensive movements and make a decision to hit the tip option or pull out the back<br><br>

General

Scrum Half's Drill Agility & R...

Player, with the ball, should make a fake pass.After the dummy pass their objective should be to change pace and direction as quickly as possible to leave their opponent standing and attack the empty space they will have just created.

General

Rugby: Passing to Support - Sp...

Tell your players the following...... One the call of the scrum half, the 3 attackers turn, round the cone and attack. The scrum half feeds the ball to the first reciever, players will need to decide who the first reciever is. The other two players fall in at depth, providing support left and support right. The support players can expand the space between them and the ball carrier. As the attack approaches the end of the grid, the coach will point left or right, and the ball must be (without delay) passed to the support player on the side the coach has pointed to. The attacking unit return to join the line in preperation for the next attacking opportunity, they should pass the ball back to the scrum half.

General

Rugby: Quick Hands - Warm Up -...

Within a group there are two groups of 4 attackers and one chaser/scrum half. At the middle point, marked by a cones, the scrum half moves the ball to the first attacking line. The scrum half firstly tracks the progress of the ball, as the exercise progresses - the scrum half should apply more and more pressure to the ball carrier - working up to the point of becoming a full on defender. When the ball reaches the opposite end of the grid, the last player in the line sets the ball down. The scrum half then feeds the ball to the next attacking line, fulfilling their own role within the exercise. The opposite attacking line should realign in preparation for the next attack. The tempo of this exercise should be high.

General

Releasing the overlap Decision...

The scrum half starts with the ball. They pass to the first red player who then passes to the second red player who then passes to red player three into the free space To start with red defenders must only defend against red 1 and 2.

General

Smooth passing - Working in 4s...

Four players start to run across the grid passing the ball. On reaching the far side the wide player gives the ball to the player on the other side who then comes back with the 2 middle players and the new wide player.

General

One Touch Ruck Warm Up - Rugby...

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 defense. 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 defense 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. 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! Don't hesitate to shape the game to focus on your session goals, and let us and other coaches know what worked for you!

General

Contest Line Outs Lineout - Ru...

One player throws the ball in to 5 players standing side by side. One player to stand in the scrum half position so as to be ready to receive a pass. Pupils should :- Attack the ball by moving forwards. Catch the ball in two hands. Players on either side of the jumper need to protect the jumper after they have caught the ball.

General

Passing Grid-Under pressure Ha...

Groups of 12+ Balls Cones4 defenders lineup in a passing grid, that has laid out 2 red cones and 2 blue cones as shown in diagram. 4 attackers line up opposite passing the ball up and down there line of 4.When the coach shouts blue or red, the attackers set off, and the defenders on the coloured cone the coach shouts out. The Attckers must react fix the defenders, identify the space and score.

General

Rugby Baseball Passing - Rugby...

Split your team into two teams. One team will be up to bat/kick and the other team will field. The fielding team should take up positions that they feel will be advantageous to their game plan - don't worry too much about over coaching this - players can learn as they play. The fielding team should have a pitcher/thrower of the ball. It is his job to stand on the pitching mound and to throw the ball as hard as he can toward the hitter/kicker. The idea is to force the hitter/kicker to struggle to catch the ball. A bad throw is considered wide and three bad throws means the hitter/kicker gets to walk to first base. However, three good throws that are dropped will be considered three strikes and the hitter/kicker will then be out. So the pitcher throws the ball, as hard as he can, to the kicker/hitter -who if they catch it can make a kick to space. The kick must land on the pitch, but can bounce into touch. If the kick is caught then the hitter/kicker is out. If not then they can start running. They need to get from 1st to 2nd to 3rd to 4th and then back to where they started in order to score a home run. They can stop at any base and be considered safe. However, runners can be called out when running between bases if the fielders manage to get the ball grounded at any of the two bases they are between.

General

Rugby: 6 vs 6 Uncontested Scru...

Ensure that players:- Bind correctly. Keep the scrum square. Keep correct body position. Hooker to strike for the ball - signal the scrum half Hook ball back with right foot between left hand props legs. Both sides remain static and do not contest the ball.

General

Unfortunately there were no results for your search! Please try again
crum half pass ANSWERS
View All

At u11 level can the scrum hal...

I think a pass has to be made from the back of a maul or ruck but I am not clear about the rules at the scrum .

Mike Hancox Coach, England

Scrum half kicking in U13s rug...

are scrum halves allowed to kick from the scrum in U13s rugby, or do they have to pass/run?

John Stackelberg Coach, England

My fowards seem afraid to ruck...

My fowards seem afraid to ruck and stand around the ruck while in the way of the scrum half trying to get the ball out to the backs. They also don't support the ball carrier while he is being tackled. Please help me with any suggestions!!!

William Barrett Coach, United States of America

Openside flanker position afte...

My coach has put me at openside flanker and I'm confused of where i should be after the scrum. Should I be attacking the opposing scrum half or just trailing behind the backs waiting to clean up/ form a ruck? It would be great to know what I'm doing !

Archived User Coach

Please can someone explain the...

Please can someone explain the benefits of a Drift defense and why or what situation you would use it.

Archived User Coach

Refereeeing an U10 ruck - Spor...

As well as coaching U10 rugby, I also get to referee U10 games, under the New Rules Of Play. I feel that my refereeing of the ruck isn't as good as it could/should be. Has anyone got an easy to follow system to help them referee U10 rucks ?

Archived User Coach

Likely outcome of scrum fed fr...

What would be the likely outcome of a scrum fed from the thrower's tighthead side? Who would more likely win possession and what quality of possession could be expected? What if the law was that most scrums were required to be fed from the thrower's tighthead with the non offender determining who was to feed? The remainder, such as penalty scrums, would stay as is. Could this encourage a more constructive approach to scrummaging?

Archived User Coach

Law 19 Scrum law - Sportplan

Hi, I need help with this multiple-choice question from the world rugby laws test. When is the non-throwing scrum half offside when the ball is in a scrum?;1. When stepping ahead of the ball with either foot at the side the ball is thrown in2. When stepping ahead of the tunnel, but not the ball, at the side the ball is thrown in3. When stepping ahead of the hindmost foot at the side the ball is not thrown in4. When moving away from the scrum and not retreating 5m behind the scrum5. When moving away from the scrum and remaining ahead of the hindmost foot in the scrum

Erin Moore Coach, Australia

U10s organisation in defence. ...

I have started an under 10s team up, and I would say about 8 from the 13 children I have , did not play rugby until about 6 months ago. Of these players, there seems to be a lot of potential, as we are scoring tries against teams, that very rarely concede tries.the problem I got with them, is that we are very poor at organising our selves in defense when the opposition has the ball, which does result in us conceding quite a few tries. We have some very good tacklers in the team. Can anyone offer some ideas on how I can get them to organise themselves? Thanks . Chris.

christopher jenkins Coach, Wales

JOIN SPORTPLAN FOR FREE

  • search our library of 1100+ rugby drills
  • create your own professional coaching plans
  • or access our tried and tested plans
STAY CONNECTED

in more ways than one

sportplan_rugby
LATEST COACHING TRENDS
Six Nations 2026: Tactical Trends Every Coach Can Steal

Six Nations 2026: Tactical Trends Every Coach Can Steal

From France's collision dominance to England's folding defence - what grassroots coaches can learn from the 2026 Six Nations.

February 2026
|
Sportplan Coaching
The 2026 Lineout Law Change: New Opportunities for Your Attack

The 2026 Lineout Law Change: New Opportunities for Your Attack

The removal of "not-straight" on uncontested lineouts transforms your set-piece options. Here's how to exploit the new rule.

February 2026
|
Sportplan Coaching
6 Things Changing Rugby in 2026

6 Things Changing Rugby in 2026

2026 brings revolutionary changes to international rugby: a brand new global tournament, historic tours, and law changes that will reshape the game. Here's everything coaches need to know.

January 2026
|
Sportplan Coaching
VIEW ALL COACHING TRENDS
Rugby POPULAR SEARCH TERMS
ruckingtacklingpassingjunior backline drillstagfitnesstag rugbydefencescrumsevensrucktouch rugby7lineoutlines of runningtouchmaulwarm uptackleunder 8

What our users have been saying...

Coaches from around the world look to Sportplan for coaching confidence.

Sportplan rugby has played a large role in my team's love for the game!

Heather Weston Rugby Coach, United States

I am so pleased with all of the drills and advice on rugby. I am a player for my local club and we don't have a coach at the moment so I, as a senior player, am filling that gap. With your help, the team has been able to improve our skills.

Mokie Tau Rugby Coach, Papua New Guinea

Your tips and session ideas have really brought some interest back to our rugby training. The players and I now really enjoy our training sessions.

Eifion Highes Rugby Coach, United Kingdom

Wow what a great website, I have found sportplan an important tool for me when planning my netball sessions with my netball team. There are alot of very helpful tips/ideas/skills that I can learn and teach to my team. Thank you sportplan I hope to continue to use your helpful tips and to learn more about improving my teams netball skills. Thanks again....keep it up....

Monique New Zealand

I have been using Sportplan now for 3 years and can honestly say that I have never repeated the same session twice. My girls are always focused and are improving every year. Thanks Sportplan.

Debbie Cross Australia

What a fantastic tool. The Chalkboard and session tools make an unbelievable difference in making training plans in both time and organization. I will be instructing all of my assistant coaches that this tool must be used for all sessions during the season, so that we may build a club coaching resource library.

Wes Campbell Rugby Coach Canada

I can't get enough of the Sportplan, It has given me back the enthusiasm i was starting to lose. My girls are so keen and are ready at 14 to take the next up in their game. Sportplan will help no end.

Cornel Basketball Coach, South Africa

SIGN UP NOW FOR FREE

  • search our library of 1100+ rugby drills
  • create professional rugby coaching plans
  • or access our tried and tested rugby plans

Sportplan App

Give it a try - it's better in the app

SPORTPLAN USES COOKIES

Sportspeople like cookies too! By continuing to browse, you are agreeing to our use of cookies. More info

Privacy Policy
We are committed to privacy and support current industry initiatives to preserve individual privacy rights on the Internet. Protecting your privacy on-line is an evolving area and this website will constantly evolve to meet these demands.


Cookies
Some of our web pages utilise "cookies". A "cookie" is a small text file that may be used, forexample, to collect information about web site activity. Some cookies and other technologies may serve to recallPersonal Information previously indicated by a web user. Most browsers allow you to control cookies, includingwhether or not to accept them and how to remove them.

Some cookies are necessary for the operation of our website, if you choose to block them some aspects of the site may not work for you. Non necessary cookies are only set when you have given your explicit consent to their use. Such cookies included those set by our statistics package Google Analytics.

We use cookies to personalise content and ads, to provide social media features and to analyse our traffic. We also share information about your use of our site with our social media, advertising and analytics partners who may combine it with other information that you've provided to them or that they've collected from your use of their services.

More info
Rugby POPULAR SEARCH TERMS
3 v 2 7 counter rucking defence defense fitness football forward drills junior  backline drills lesson plans line out lineout lineout drills lines of running maul passing ruck rucking rugby scrum scrum machine search sevens tackle tackling tag tag rugby touch under 8 warm up
YOUR SESSION IS STARTING SOON... Join the growing community of rugby coaches plus 1100+ drills and pro tools to make coaching easy.
LET'S DO IT