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drill DRILLS
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Box agility running

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 drill Its a good idea to have groups next to each other so they can compete against each other.

Agility & Running Skills

Continuous Attacking

Groups of four, 1 attacker and three defenders Coach calls out the number of a defender as the attacker retreats to allow that defender and the attacker to continue the drill Attacker reacts to defender and attempts to score

Agility & Running Skills

Drift defence

4 Tackle Bags. 10 Cones and 1 Ball. 10m x 30m. The first player in the line begins with the ball. As he approaches the first cone and passes to player 2 who is supporting. Player 1 carries on their run and hits the tackle bag before running backwards to player 2 original position. Player 2 on receiving the ball passes the ball onto player 3 before hitting the tackle bag and back pedalling to player 3 original position. When the ball reaches player 5, that player side steps behind the others back to position 1 where the drill is repeated.

Defensive Patterns

Fast Feet Drill

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.

Agility & Running Skills

Heads up Passing

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 advance using lateral passing - with the last player in each line passing the ball to the first player in the opposite line. Players should change positions in the line following each attack. Focus on the coaching points - the drill is only a means to an end. No spin passing. When you feel that the players are executing the short pass to your satisfaction - add in more pressure by have two opposite lines run at once. Once the teams have master that - lets get all four units running at one. The firt two groups go, when they each the mid-way point - the second two groups go. This will mean that all four gourps will be working at one. The groups keep moving unit you tell them to stop. Devlop this by alowing players to attack and be creative in their attack e.g. loop, M1, etc. There will be lots of traffic, they need to stay on their toes and work hard to keep the attack and the ball alive.

Passing

Leave No Man Behind

Players start in the bottom right corner and on the command sprint as a group before doing 5 press ups. They advance as a defensive line, moving as fast as the slowest player. They never leave a player behind. They then side step (push as a defensive line) left to the next set of cones to do 5 sit ups before sprinting to do press ups. The group follow this routine until the end before the next group go.

Agility & Running Skills

Progression in ruck

In groups of four, the ball carrier runs out, turns and passes the ball to the second player. The first player then becomes a defender. Player 2 goes into contact and tries to drive the defender forward but when stopped, slides down to ground and presents the ball. Player 3 then drives over player 2, clearing the defender out of the way. Player 4 picks up the ball and runs on to the end where the drill is restarted running back down the grid

Ruck

Tackle

Start with this simple tackling drill with no resistance to the tackle to get your players warmed up and used to contact.

Tackling

The Three S Drill (Speed, Swerve and Sidestep)

Coach calls a number, that player acts as a defender. Attacker tries to score without being tagged using one of the three S (Speed, Swerve, and Sidestep)

Agility & Running Skills

2 v 1 Passing - Rugby Drills, ...

This is a simple 2 v 1. The two players have to get past the one defender without being touched, that's it. The defender will start 10 meters back, and can move anywhere inside the box. The attack must remain inside the box and all pass msut be legal. Don't forget to change the defender.

General

L-Shaped Passing Sevens - Rugb...

Lets get the ball and the players moving with lateral passing through the hands. Each training area only needs one ball, and that ball should start with the any of the two players at the very ends of the L. Tell players to move forward, passing the ball down the line. When the ball gets to the last receiver, that player will pass it to the first receiver in the next line that is waiting to go. They should advance right away. Allow the players to simply move the ball down the line.

General

Continuous Passing Square 1 Pa...

Set up 4 cones in a square, and get the players to form equal lines behind each cone.The ball starts with a player on one cone who runs towards the cone to his right and passes the ball across the square to a player from the next cone running onto the ball. He catches the ball and continues his run, passing the ball to someone from the next cone running onto the ball.Change the direction which the ball is goingProgressions:Get the players to change direction on your command (shout/whistle)Multiple balls at a timeAs a group must complete 10 successful passes before the session can move on, every time a ball is dropped the whole group does an exercise (e.g. 10 press ups).

General

Tackle Challenge Sevens - Rugb...

The exercise stand clockwise, with the first player going from the bottom left cone. The defender must tackle that player to the ground. As soon as that tackle is complete, the attacker quickly clears the area, and the defenders gets to their feet. The next attack goes right away. This pattern repeats, with each new attacker coming forward from a new cone, and then rejoining the back of the line on the opposite side. The idea is for the defender to be tested time after time, in quick succession. The ball carrier can try to evade contact. After 1 minute, change the defender.

General

Bank Robbers Warm Up - Rugby D...

Keep your player briefing, brief! Tell the players the following laws for this exercise..... Players must start the game behind the outer cone of their corner and only one of them can enter the grid at any one time. This game works on a relay basis, one and only one player in the grid from each group at a time - and the next player must be touched before they may enter the playing area. While balls are in the center of the grid, one relay robber from each team can enter the grid to steel a ball from the center of the grid and bring it back to their own box or bank. If all the balls in the center of the grid have been stolen, teams can now steel each others balls - but the same relay rules apply. The winning team is the team that can get 4 balls into their box. Adjust this to allow your players to experience success or to make the game harder. You can add or remove balls to make the game harder or easier. No cheating! Only one ball can be carried at a time, only one player from each team in the grid, and you cannot go until tagged.

General

Spin Passing Passing - Rugby D...

Give each training area one ball to start with 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 advance using lateral passing - with the last player in each line passing the ball to the first player in the opposite line. Players should change positions in the line following each attack. Focus on the coaching points - the drill is only a means to an end. When you feel that the players are executing the short pass to your satisfaction - add in more pressure by having two opposite lines run at once.

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

Passing circle Passing - Rugby...

Tell your players the following..... There will be 4 players on the outside of the circle, starting at 12, 3, 6, and 9 o'clock positions. There will be one player in the middle. The players on the outside of the circle jog around the circle. The player in the middle will have a ball, and will pass the ball to one of the runners - for them to run onto it. The new ball carrier will pass the ball back to the static player in the middle of the circle. And the same happens again, but the passer cannot bass to the same player twice. Players will have to respond to the calls: SLOW JOG, FAST JOG, FASTER, CHANGE DIRECTION, TOUCH THE GROUD WITH YOUR RIGHT HAND, TOUCH THE GROUND WITH YOUR LEFT HAND, etc. Don't forget to change the static player.

General

Warm up - Bulldog Touch Warm U...

2 Catchers.Everyone else Runners. This is a warm up game that is used to raise the heart rates of the children. Using half the pitch, nominate 2 catchers, the aim of the game is to touch as many as the runners before they reach the otherside of the pitch.If a runner get touched or tagged, thye join the catchers. Last man standing. Encourgae the kids to undertsand the concept of touch or tags.

General

Drop Kick Kicking - Rugby Dril...

Can be practiced with all players but specifically for the kickers of the team for start off kicking and tactical point scoring. 1 ball, cones to set up target zones etc.

General

3 v 1 Grid Passing - Rugby Dri...

6x6m Grid Ball Players line up in 3s opposite sides of the grid. Simply pass the ball along the line. 1 defender is in the middle of the grid putting pressure on all ball carriers.Once hand completed the next line starts immediately. Defender swaps out when there is a mistake or when he touches someone with the ball. Progression: add another defender, make the passes wider.

General

Ball Tag Warm Up - Rugby Drill...

Make sure that you have your warm-up area marked out before your players arrive, it's important that you get them working right away. You can decide to play this game in smaller grids, or a larger playing area with the entire team. If using small grids, they can be 10 meters x 10 meters - and mark out as many as you need depending on the size of your team. If playing in a large area with the entire team, have two players working as taggers. The rest will be attackers - running around the playing area trying to avoid the taggers/defenders. If playing in a smaller area, have 2 defenders/taggers and 6 attackers. Give the taggers/defenders a ball each. Keep your law briefing, brief! It's important to get the players working as soon as possible. Tell the players that the two players with the balls will be chasing and looking to tag the rest of the players. If you get tagged, you join the taggers team. Play the game until all players are tagged. The last two players tagged, become the first two taggers for the next game. The ball cannot be thrown.

General

Passing Along The Line Passing...

Simple hand drill that can be progressed onto many simple backline movements. 1 ball, 4 players, area of 20-30m by 20m 1st player starts with the ball who commences the sequence by running, 2nd player run from depth and receive the ball then pass to 3rd player who will do the same to the 4th. From this point the order will reverse to get another repetition through everyone's hands so you can score at the end of the grid.

General

Switch Drill Passing - Rugby D...

Drill to practice inside running lines (switches) in attack.Set up a 10m x 10m square (green cones) with two attackers (blue) on one side of the square, and one defender (red) on the other side of the square on the left hand side (see diagram).The attacker with the ball runs forward, then diagonally across the square towards the diagonally opposite cone, to get the defender to chase him.The second attacker also runs forward, then switches back across the square towards where the defender has come form.The ball carrier turns towards his outside and passes to the other attacker who is running a switch. They then score over the try-line marked by the green cones.If the defender holds for the switching player, the ball carrier should continue running and score over the try-line marked by the green cones.

General

Tackle Box Sevens - Rugby Dril...

The exercise is simple, the attacker has 2 minutes to score as many tries as they can. They do this by attacking the space between 2 sets of cones, but there is a defender they need to avoid. When it is clear which area the attacking is going to attack, that defender can advance. This is a full contact exercise. If the attackers scores, they return to the center of the grid to attack again. They cannot attack the same defender twice. If the attack fails, they reset and have another go. After 1/2 minutes, switch the attacker. This is a competition, so keep score.

General

Tackle from behind Tackling - ...

Drill to practice chasing and tackling someone.Roughly 5m x 10m channel. Players lined up in two lines behind red cones.First two players run out to white cones where a coach/feeder passes one of the players the ball. The player who receives the ball runs to try and score between the green cones, the other player tries to chase and tackle them.

General

Support Lines Decision making ...

The aim of the drill is to develop players understanding of support lines Players work in groups of 4 in attackSet up 5 defenders with pads, in a 2-2-1 formationAttackers focus on beating the defence by drawing the opposition or breaking through the pad and offloading to supporting players

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

drill SESSIONS
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Performing when tired - Endurance Running session

Find out if your team can drive out a difficult win! Work your team hard and test their match-skills when tired!

Quick Ruck for Quick Ball

Quick rucking that produces quick ball is the first step towards a dangerous attacking side. Use this session to get your team rucking quickly, efficiently and effectively!

Contact Skills in the Tackle

Instil confidence and tackle toughness into your players with this tackling from the front, side and back session! Build their knowledge of the benefits of tackling and how different type of tackle can determine the way the phase plays out.

Confidence in Contact: part 2

Continue to improve your player's confidence when using contact, with the second of our Confidence in Contact sessions

Confidence in Contact: part 1

Help your players get over their fears and watch them gain confidence in contact!

Guard the Ruck - Organisation in Defence

High tempo defending and handling plan. Improve your rugby players' communication, organisation and line speed for a more solid backline

Forwards and Backs Skills

Make sure your forwards and backs have the skills needed in Rugby with this session, improving areas such as the punt kick and scrum!

The Zones Game

Use this fantastic drill in your next coaching session today and get ready to work your players hard

Improving your Passing Skills

Get your players passing accurately and with variety in this session

Phase Play and Continuity

Continue to build the phases in your play and get your team working as an unit to offer support with this session!

Developing Handling Skills

Get your players handling skills super sharp so that no loose balls are given up. Gradually build up pressure to test their handling ability when confronted with defence.

Defensive Skills: Contest Possession

Pile the pressure on the oppositions attack with this defensive skills session. Get them scanning the attack to put pressure on the ball carrier and anticipate the attack.

Developing reactions and decision making skills to dominate support play

A player needs to make hundreds of decisions on the pitch. Get them making the right ones when in attack to utilise the support to sustain attacking pressure on the opposition.

Attacking - Part 2

Work on your players composure when going into contact to be able to provide the offload to create scoring chances even when under pressure.

Attacking part 1

It?s all about points scoring with this session. Encourage your players to continually offer support to develop fine techniques to attack with crisp plays.

Improving Kicking Accuracy

Add an extra dimension to your game plus scrub up on the absolutely essential kicking techniques with this kicking session packed of videos and drills.
drill ANSWERS
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any one know drills for defending a attack from scrum?

any one know drills for defending a attack from scrum in midfield?

Archived User Coach

Our U12 fly half is a talented yet small player but?

Our U12 fly half is a talented yet small player but only seems to tackle when a player has already gone by and he uses his pace to takle from behind/side. Is there a drill to improve his confidence tackling face on.

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

U10s organisation in defence. How to improve?

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

Organisation drills for 11s

I am looking for ideas on how my under 11s team can re organise after the breakdowns etc. they are a good bunch of players, but I am finding it difficult to get them to spread the field after breakdowns . I am wondering if there any drills here to do this? Thanks all

christopher jenkins Coach, Wales

Uploading drills to my plans?

How do you upload a drill to a session plan?

Nick Gall-Tomassen Coach, England

How to find drills, quick save and print

Archived User Coach

How to use the Session Planner

Archived User Coach

How to add drills to favourites

Archived User Coach

How to delete a drill from a Session?

Archived User Coach

Ball retention skills

How can I improve my U15 ball retention skills? They keep getting stripped or lose the ball in contact.

Noel Hill Coach, England

How do you do a session plan

Can’t work it out how you do a session plan Asked using Sportplan Mobile App

paul Coach, England

add a drill to a plan

How do I add a drill I like to my existing plan

Tom Vyles Coach, United States of America

Adding Drills to My Folder

Hi, how do I add a practice from the Drills section to My Folders - e.g. a hockey passing drill into a Hockey folder in My Folders? Thank you.

Andy Kenward Coach, England

clip board

how to create a new clipboard

Robin Meaney Coach, United States of America

Drift Defence?

thers no drifting at all becuase the tackle bags dont move. the defnders are hitting the same bag at the same postion always. just becuase the last palyer loops round doesnt means the defences has drifted. i dont see how this drill is implemneted into a game senario. is your last defending man going to circle all the way to the start of the defending line? no drfit D whatsoever. unless you;re letting your team get ready to be set and make a hit theres no point in this drill being sewd for a 'Drift' defence.

Lochlainn McKenzie Coach, Ireland

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

My U11's are a mixed bunch whe...

My U11's are a mixed bunch when it comes to tackling. Some very good, most OK, some ...hmmmm... enough said. Been through all the drills and when we break things down, go back to basics, everything appears OK, but it doesn't always transfer into the game. Any ideas on small group games that will allow me to combine technique with confidence?

Archived User Coach

Getting 9-10 year olds to spre...

Getting quite frustrated that my u10's are not using the space on the pitch and tend to bunch up. Despite various drills and game scenarios to force them to spread out and pass to someone in space they revert in any game to bunching up around the ball and taking it back into the thick of the opposition rather than looking left or right! Any ideas how to change their ways?

Ian G Coach, England

u8s running sideways not forwa...

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

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