Contact Help center
Rugby Rugby
HOME Rugby SEARCH

Rugby: first practice

first practice DRILLS
View All

3v2 School - Rugby Drills, Rug...

Set up two lines of 3 cones, about 10 meters apart, with players on each of the three cones. On the coach's whistle players play out a 3v2 (always 3 attackers and 2 defenders). Defenders should look initially to defend the first 2 attackers.

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

Short Passing Passing - Rugby ...

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. 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.

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

Passing Box Passing - Rugby Dr...

Tell your players the following....... There should be one group of 4 players between each cone on the four sides of the grid. The ball carrying group will advance - passing the ball down the line. When the ball gets to the last receiver in the attacking line, they will pass the ball to the first receiver in the next attacking line. Simple as that - they should keep going. All four groups must go, in any one cycle of attacks - a cycle is 4 attacks. Progression: Add in one or two defenders, have them work from side to side - rather than closing down space and - don't forget to change the defenders into attack after some time in defence.

General

Reload Rucking Ruck - Rugby Dr...

Set up two defenders holding hit shields opposite two even lines of players.The ball starts with the first man in one of the lines, he runs towards the defender, hits the hit shield and goes down to present the ball. The player behind him in the line clears the defender off the ball and the third player in the line passes the ball off the floor to the first player in the other line who is running onto the pass and runs at the defender.The players from the first line join the back of their line. The player who has received the pass hits the hit shield, goes to ground and presents the ball towards his team.The second player clears out the defender, and the third player passes the ball off the floor to the first player in the other line. Players switch roles after each repetition, and should switch lines to practice passing in both directions of the floor.

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

Simple Passing Exercise Passin...

Tell your players the follow..... The first two players at each coach will advance, attacking the cone to their left, in the middle of the training area. The players should split as they run, increasing the distance between them. When they get as far as the middle cone, they should then pass. The reciever then passes to the first reciever on the cone they are approaching.

General

3 v 2 Reverse Drill Passing - ...

Drill to practice 3 v 2 attacking scenarios.Set up a channel 20m long and 15m wide with cones every 10m along the length (red, yellow, green).Set up 5 lines of players between the first two cones, the two players on each end are the defenders (red), and the three in the middle are attackers (blue).The ball starts with one of the defenders on one side and that player runs forward and throws a long pass to the defender at the other end of line. He then continues his run around the far (green) cone to defend.The defender who has caught the ball puts it down on the middle (yellow) cone and continues his run around the far (green) cone to defend.Once the second defender has put the ball down on the yellow cone the attackers may begin their attack. The player nearest the cone runs to pick up the ball and then they attack the two defenders, trying to score over the line marked by the green cones. PROGRESSION:Start from the opposite side to practice passing in both directions.Reduce the width of the channel to make it harder for the attackers to scoreAdd a defender to come round late and create a 2 v 1 after the 3 v 2

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

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

1st man at the ruck Ruck Clear...

Ball.Groups of 3+2 attackers line up infront of a defender. The 1st attackers takes the ball into contact The defender makes a low chop tackle.The 2nd attacker resposibility is to clear away the tackler from the contact area and look after the ball.Progression : Add second defedner with a tack;e nag to test the stability of the clearer.

General

Fast And Pressured Sevens - Ru...

Tell your players the following...... There will be one runner. 1 player, static, on each cone. 4 players on the cones in total. There will also be two players in defence, they will have a tackle/ruck pad each. The defenders will be 3 meters in from the start of the grid, the second defender 7 meters behind the first. The defenders can move left and right, but not backward and forward. There will be a ball on the first left cone, and on the second right cone. The player at the first cone with the ball will pass the ball to the runner, who avoids the defender and passes the ball to the reciever on the opposite first cone. The runner then catches the second ball, passed by the player on the second cones. The runner passes the ball to the opposite reciever, avoid contact with the defender. The runner then turns and does the same again - the defender steps back a bit. Don't forget to change the defenders, proving all players will the chance to attack.

General

Attacking Kick On The Move Kic...

Practice short kicks while attacking forward (not standing still).The attackers are aiming to land their kick in the target area (yellow cones). Adapt the size based on their ability (e.g. senior players 5m x 5m, junior players 10m x 10m).Set up two cones (red) to simulate the area of a ruck/scrum/line out and give a defensive offside line. Two defenders (red) position themselves on the offside line opposite two attackers (blue).One attacker (1) acts a scrum half and passes the ball to the first receiver (2). The first receiver (2) catches the ball and tries to perform a chip or grubber kick into the target area . The second attacker (3) chases the kick and tries to regather it.The two defenders aim to put pressure on the kicker.Once the attack have gathered the kick they should return it to the feeder and join the back of the line to start again.PROGRESSION:Defenders to start passive and increase pressure as attackers gain confidenceStart with a chip kick and progress to grubber or vice versa.

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

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

Right Angled Passing Drill Pas...

Drill to practice passing.Set up a right angle (L-shape) with lines of 4 players on each side (see diagram)The ball starts at one of the outer ends and the players pass it down the line, when it reaches the end of the line the fourth player passes the ball off to the first player in the next line (see diagram).They then pass the ball down the line and pass it off to the first player in the next line, and the drill repeats.After completing their pass players should run through and join the back of the next line.

General

Round the circle Passing Passi...

Each group forms a circle with players about 1m apart. First practise passing and catch around the circle. Next, the first player to pass runs around the outside of the circle. The player races against the ball to return to his/her start position.

General

Race to cone - 3 v 2 Decision ...

One ball and 6 cones. 15m x 15m. Setup the practice as shown. The first two players run up to the half way line of the grid and place the ball down before continuing their run to the end of the grid before turning around to defend. The remaining 3 players (attackers) can go as soon as the ball is placed down and then they play a 3 v 2.

General

Round The World Passing - Rugb...

Tell your players the following..... The first player picks the ball up at the cone passes the ball to the next player, they then run around the back to receive the ball from the last player who puts the ball down by the cone and picks it up and stars the passing again. Each player runs around the back to the next side of the grid to receive and pass the ball on. The players attack all the sides of the grid. Players loop around the back, not in front of the attack.

General

first practice SESSIONS
View All

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.
first practice ANSWERS
View All

My team takes 15min to really start playing...

My team takes 15min to really start playing... what should I do? These are high school boys that have never played the sport before. After a few games, they play really well in the 2nd half but by that time we are down 2 or 3 tries. Is it a warmup issue? Nerves? Any ideas?

Mike McD Coach, Canada

would anyone know any tips to practice awarness and?

would anyone know any tips to practice awarness and other tips for a flanker no7 aged 17

Archived User Coach

What drills would you suggest to get players to focus on poaching the ball in rugby?

Ask a question and have it answered by Coaches from around the world and Sportplan's team of Experts.

John Coach, United States of America

how do i coach the miss pass

Ask a question and have it answered by Coaches from around the world and Sportplan's team of Expert how do i coach the miss pass

Archived User Coach

I coach Under 11's I have two players that do all the right things in training but when the game starts they will not pass. They do score tries but I think we could score more if they passed. What can I do? Gary SWales

Ask a question and have it answered by Coaches from around the world and Sportplan's team of Experts.

Gary Grant Coach, Wales

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

Under 10 - Pre Match Preparation

If you have 30 min before the start of a match how should you prepare a team of under 10 players. How do you get them suitably motivated to hit the ground runnung with a high level of intensity.

William OBrien Coach, England

My number 10 has a habit of running across on first?

My number 10 has a habit of running across on first phase ball thus our backs lack any go foward ball most times. Any ideas how we can remedy this habit will be a great help.

Archived User Coach

What is the rule in Mini Festivals or games for U7s carrying the ball in one hand. Should they be penalised?

What is the rule in Mini Festivals or games for U7s carrying the ball in one hand. Should they be penalised?

Andy Kershaw Coach, England

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

New Womens Team First Practice Drills

I am coaching a brand new women's team. From our recruitment we have a mixed skill level. What drills should I run at the first few practices to introduce the game and skills, without overwhelming brand new players? I want to make it fun and not just running drills but also don't want to scare people away.Thanks!

Archived User Coach

How do I get the back line running straight and fast?

Our back line is very sluggish and drift ,any ideas for simple plan to get them moving straight and fast?

Michael Strain Coach, Wales

Fly half training pre season

How to become a fly half and begin training ready for u16s next season

Archived User Coach

First time coaching the U13s n...

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

Archived User Coach

Motion of the first receiver f...

From a tap restart may the player who is to first receive the ball start runnning before the player taps the ball? The player receiving the ball is at all times behind the player tapping the ball.

Archived User Coach

Tips on breaking through a def...

Hi my name is Mac and i am a 8 man and i struggle to push through a defensive line when i have the ball due to how my coaches make us practice so i wanted to know tips on how to push/break through a defensive line when i have the ball.

Mac Coach, United States of America

i need ideas for putting toget...

i need ideas for putting together a coaching session for under 9 rugby

Archived User Coach

Coaching the Tackle for U9s wh...

Some of my U9s players, who are experiencing contact for their first season, are showing reticence in tackling - how do you coach or get through the fear factor/element?

Archived User Coach

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 FROM THE BLOG
Set Yourself Up For Success This Year

Set Yourself Up For Success This Year

Create a resolution to develop your coaching confidence by seizing the opportunity to discover new drills, turn ideas into action and seek advice from the coaching community.

December 31st, 2023
|
Archie Dunnill
Should Aaron Smith's World Cup Final try have stood?

Should Aaron Smith's World Cup Final try have stood?

World Rugby has reportedly conceded Aaron Smith's disallowed try in the World Cup final should have stood.

November 14th, 2023
|
Archie Dunnill
Sportplan Spotlight: Vary Your Sessions

Sportplan Spotlight: Vary Your Sessions

"It is not only useful for staff who are experienced but a valuable tool for those subject staff who have to take teams."

January 25th, 2023
|
Archie Dunnill
VISIT THE BLOG TO READ MORE
Rugby POPULAR SEARCH TERMS
ruckingfitnesslineoutscrumtouch rugbylines of runningunder 8warm updefence7maultacklepassingtag rugbyrucktacklingtagsevensjunior backline drillstouch

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