Contact Help center
Rugby Rugby
HOME Rugby SEARCH

Rugby: heads up

heads up DRILLS
View All

Building The Contact 2

Setup: Set up with 4 players with pads, and four players facing them about five metres away. There should be enough space between the players to ensure that they and the players making the hit are safe. The rest of the players fall in behind the leading 4 players who will be making the first hit. Each group of four will go together. The players holding the pads should do so with one hand on each strap, not with one arm through both straps as this exposes them to a lower arm fracture on a big hit. Have more than one group if necessary, as you don't want to have players waiting for more than 20-30 seconds between hits. Start slowly to get the technique right, and build from there. Tell the hitting players to raise their elbows 90 degrees or more. They will notice that their shoulders get bigger. Demo this with another coach if necessary.

Contact Skills

Building the Contact

Setup: Set up with 4 players with pads, and four players facing them about five metres away. There should be enough space between the players to ensure that they and the players making the hit are safe. The rest of the players fall in behind the leading 4 players who will be making the first hit. Each group of four will go together. The players holding the pads should do so with one hand on each strap, not with one arm through both straps as this exposes them to a lower arm fracture on a big hit. Have more than one group if necessary, as you don't want to have players waiting for more than 20-30 seconds between hits. Start slowly to get the technique right, and build from there. Tell the hitting players to put their hands behind their backs and make a hit on the pad using their shoulder. Remind them to keep their head up and to place their head to the side of the pads. Demo this with another coach if necessary.

Contact Skills

Building the Ruck - One Step At A Time

Have 3 or more pad holders, this depends on how many rucking units you wish to have and how many players you have at training - but work hard to keep every player busy and active. The 3 pad holder should be about 5 meters back from the rucking units, and they should be holding the pads safely. Players should work in groups of 2, and there will be 1 scrum half. Only one ball is needed as the scrum half will move the ball from unit to unit. Get the players moving quickly, and tell the players the following.... One player carries the ball into contact and presents the ball. The other player provides covers and time for the scrum half to move the ball to the next unit. The scrum half should move the ball from unit to unit, and the units/pads should reposition themselves for the next line of attacks. Keep the action going, and don't forget to change the players on the pads.

Ruck

Bull Dog

Large Grid 30m x 30m. Start with 5 defenders in the middle, everybody else stands at one end of the grid wearing tags. On the coach's call all attackers try to run past the 5 defenders and get to the opposite side of the grid. Attackers that are tagged join the defenders in the middle, the game keeps going until there are no attackers left.

Tag Rugby

Decision Making Exercise

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

Decision making

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

Hit The Colours

Players start at the top of the triangle. Coach calls colours, 2/3 at a time. Player moves to the called cone, and returns to the start each time. Player should remain facing forward at all times, back tracking when they need to. Coach calls GO and players sprint 10 meters.

Agility & Running Skills

Ladder Pass

Have four players stand at the four cones, the other players, in their own running groups of four should, be behind them - ready to go when their turn comes. Give the first player, the player with the ladder furthest away, a ball. The other players should lay down on the ground. When the first player runs and reaches the ladder, the second player can get up and attack, the third player can attack when the second player reaches their ladder, and the forth player can get up and attack when the third player reaches their ladder. The pass should be passed down the line, but you can only pass when you're inside your own ladder and you can only receive when you are inside you own ladder. Players aim to get the ball down the line, and should, score at the end before passing the ball to the first receiver in the next group. Players cannot stop inside a ladder or at any time during the attack.

Warm Up

Overlap - 3 'v' 2

Tell your players the following...... The first attacking unit will go, at the same time 2 of the defenders will round the top of the grid and defend. It is effectively a 3 v 2 situation. When the attack is complete the defence should return to their starting position behind the next group of defenders. The attackers should also return to their starting position, behind the next attack. The next attack and defence should now go. This activity should be at pace, and it is full contact. Don't forget to change the defenders with attackers.

Sevens

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

Heads up Passing Passing - Rug...

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.

General

Lateral Pass Passing - Rugby D...

General

React, run and defend Decision...

Defenders and attackers line up outside the coned area in lines of five. The coach will call out two numbers, the first refers to how many attackers should enter the area and the second refers to the defenders. So 2-1 would see two attackers reacting and running around the cones and lining up against one defender. The coach can call any variation from 1-1 to 5-5.

General

Decision Making Sevens - Rugby...

Tell the players the following..... The players at the bottom of the triangle will pass the ball back and forward. The passer in the middle must not only complete the pass, but should keep their head up and call out the colour of the cone that is being held up for their attention. Don't forget to change the players around to allow everyone a chance to do everything.

General

Ball around the head. Warm Up ...

Handle the ball around the head in a clockwise direction 3 times, moving the ball form one hand to the other.<BR>Reverse the direction fo the ball in a anti-clockwise direction.

General

Hit The Colours Warm Up - Rugb...

Players start at the top of the triangle. Coach calls colours, 2/3 at a time. Player moves to the called cone, and returns to the start each time. Player should remain facing forward at all times, back tracking when they need to. Coach calls GO and players sprint 10 meters.

General

Scrum 2v1 Warm Up - Rugby Dril...

Groups of 3. - 1 player is active, 2 players are resisiting. - Active player gets into scrumage position between 2 defending players.- Tries to push both players back, like a scrum.

General

Continuous passing onto cones ...

Players line up at least 2 or 3 behind a cone. The ball starts at one end with the player running up to the cone in front of him and passing to the next player waiting on the cone. As a player has passed he must quickly run around the grid and fall back into position. The Ball is constantly within the grid moving from right to left.

General

Bull Dog Tag Rugby - Rugby Dri...

Large Grid 30m x 30m. Start with 5 defenders in the middle, everybody else stands at one end of the grid wearing tags. On the coach's call all attackers try to run past the 5 defenders and get to the opposite side of the grid. Attackers that are tagged join the defenders in the middle, the game keeps going until there are no attackers left.

General

Tackle Tackling - Rugby Drills...

General

Hands up / Hands Down Passing ...

Lets just get the ball moving clockwise for a while, just to get the ball moving through the hands. After a minute or two, lets switch the direction of the ball. After another minute, tell them the ball can go in any direction, but...... The receiver must have their hands in the air. The passer cannot pass to a player directly beside them. The passer can dummy, if a player takes their hand down they are out. The reciever can take their hands down to catch a ball if it is coming their way. You can also play this game using a word like RUGBY. Each time a play makes a mistake they get a letter. The loser is the first player to get all the letters that spell RUGBY. Some teams and coaches have more interesting and colorful words to spell - I'll leave this to you. You can make this game a little harder by reducing the size of the circle or by asking the players to touch their toes before catching the ball. You can also increase the number of balls in the circle. Have fun with this!

General

Tag: Hounds and Hairs Warm Up ...

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!

General

Ladder Pass Warm Up - Rugby Dr...

Have four players stand at the four cones, the other players, in their own running groups of four should, be behind them - ready to go when their turn comes. Give the first player, the player with the ladder furthest away, a ball. The other players should lay down on the ground. When the first player runs and reaches the ladder, the second player can get up and attack, the third player can attack when the second player reaches their ladder, and the forth player can get up and attack when the third player reaches their ladder. The pass should be passed down the line, but you can only pass when you're inside your own ladder and you can only receive when you are inside you own ladder. Players aim to get the ball down the line, and should, score at the end before passing the ball to the first receiver in the next group. Players cannot stop inside a ladder or at any time during the attack.

General

Scrum Pass Passing - Rugby Dri...

General

Jog - Lock and Load Passing - ...

Tell your players the following: Using just one hand they should pass the ball to each other, spinning the ball. They will continue down the grid until reaching the end before turning back and doing the same with the opposite passing hand. They can use two hands to catch. They should be jogging. That's it, get working. Refer to the coaching points in order to help your players improve. This drill is about helping players understand and develop their spin pass, while improving the quality of their pass. It should be using in conjunction with other training exercises to develop the spin pass.

General

Staying Alive Passing - Rugby ...

Tell your players the following... The first player runs into the grid, the ball carrier. They attack the inner square. When they get into that square, they then pass to a player either on their left or right before following their pass and taking the place of the receiver on the cone. The receiving player then runs into the grid and passes (left or right) before following their pass once again. Passes should be legal.

General

Bulldog Touch Warm Up - Rugby ...

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

Building The Contact 2 Contact...

<b>Setup:</b> Set up with 4 players with pads, and four players facing them about five metres away. There should be enough space between the players to ensure that they and the players making the hit are safe. The rest of the players fall in behind the leading 4 players who will be making the first hit. Each group of four will go together. The players holding the pads should do so with one hand on each strap, not with one arm through both straps as this exposes them to a lower arm fracture on a big hit. Have more than one group if necessary, as you don't want to have players waiting for more than 20-30 seconds between hits. Start slowly to get the technique right, and build from there. Tell the hitting players to raise their elbows 90 degrees or more. They will notice that their shoulders get bigger. Demo this with another coach if necessary.

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

Shoulder Flex with Ball Warm U...

Involve a ball in your warm-up. Get players to pass the ball around their head to flex the neck and shoulders.

General

Rugby: Hold, Press, Push - Sev...

Tell your players the following..... The first should of 3 will PUSH, drifting across and HIT the pads together. They will then advance and do the same at the next 2 sets of pads before returning to their start position to go again. The second group of defenders can go when they feel there is enough space between them and the first group. That's it - lets get to work. Don't forget to change the defenders and bag holders.

General

Rugby: TACKLE HEAD SAFETY TECH...

Groups of 2 Tackle Bags Cones1. Warm up light contactPlayers line up opposite eachother and run to meet each other in the middle. When the coach says so, the coach will leave it late to hold an arm out for the attackers to step too. The Defenders will make a late decision to tackle on either left or right shoulder. 2. Progress to adding bags &amp; defenders turning.This minimalises the time for defenders to make decision and increaces the intensity. 3. Progress on to full live tackle. Increace the intensity and make sure the players back track back to starting point before starting next set.

General

Unfortunately there were no results for your search! Please try again
heads up SESSIONS
View All

Handling and Passing - working under pressure

Fast hands and a cool head will be needed in this physically testing pressure passing session - are your players up to the challenge?

Effective Counter Attacking - Options after a Turnover

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

Heads up Rugby - Think fast

Attack the space! Develop your players' speed, reaction and decision making to improve their ability to get through holes in defences.

Backline Scanning - Reacting to the unknown!

Don't let your team succumb to static rugby - instead teach them to look up and play against what's in front of them

Spatial Awareness and Attacking the Space

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

lateral pass coaching games

lateral pass coaching games

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

Our under tens when they go into a ruck situation often go straight over the ball leaving it in the open. A is this ball then available to be played by any player from both teams and B if this ball is out how can we teach them to secure the ball.

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

Archived User Coach

Where would be the best place to get a Rugby First Aid Kit?( with the stuff needed for Rugby first response)

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

Archived User Coach

What's a good methord when starting training a Scrum?

What's a good methord when starting training a Scrum?

Christopher Bower Coach, England

How can my forwards counter a wheeling scrum?

My props (and I ) lack front row experience

Archived User Coach

Scoring tries - habit?

Why is it important to get players to score the try when completing a handling/running drill?

Archived User Coach

Hi all. I am the coach for the U12s and we are about?

Hi all. I am the coach for the U12s and we are about to enter a tournament this W/E. Does anyone have any pre planned simple fun drills that will link together to keep the players occupied between the Matches? Cheers Iain

Iain Hughes Coach, England

Kickoff Alignment

I am looking for a set up for receiving a kickoff in rugby. We are using the expoloded scrum method and marking their forwards on the kickoff now. But if the forwards move or are split we end up looking like the Keystone Cops trying to match. What is a prefered set up?

Matt Coach, United States of America

How do you approach a match you know your team will lose?

My young intermediate squad has some tough forthcoming league fixtures against sides they we are unlikely to beat. I expect I will focus the team talk on processes rather than outcome.Is there any merit in explaining that winning is unlikely and that we should look at other successes such as tackles made, limiting the number of tries etc?

Simon Luxton Coach, England

Defence, who must tackle a player cutting in?

Hi. Please let me have your input. 15-a-side Boys. Whose responsibility is it to tackle a player that cuts into the backline? Lets say the attacking team's FB cuts in between the C's , should my inside C then go for the tackle? We have sweepers (usually the SH and no 8) to cover breaks.

Johan Coach, South Africa

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

how can i improve players abil...

HOW CAN I IMPROVE PLAYERS ABILITY TO PERFORM THE LATERAL PASS ?

dean Coach, England

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

Advice on playing flyhalf - Sp...

Tomorrow i am going for rugby trials and i wanna play flyhalf. What do i have to do to get the position

sima Coach, South Africa

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

Is anchoring at the breakdown ...

At the breakdown is blue ball carrier gets tackled going to ground. The next blue player arrives and crouches over the ball and anchors onto the tackled player. Is this legal? It is assumed that he's not off his feet etc which is a separate offence

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 COACHING TRENDS
The Lone Ball Carrier: A Halloween Coaching Nightmare

The Lone Ball Carrier: A Halloween Coaching Nightmare

The isolated ball carrier is rugby's spookiest turnover. Here is the five-step fix, plus drills that rebuild support lines fast.

October 2026
|
Sportplan Coaching
Ball Carrying Without Dipping: Footwork, Height and Leg Drive

Ball Carrying Without Dipping: Footwork, Height and Leg Drive

Tacklers are aiming lower, so carriers who dip late put heads at risk. Teach footwork, a strong early body height and leg drive to win the collision safely.

October 2026
|
Sportplan Coaching
The Scrum Brake Foot Is Now Law: Coaching Safer, Steadier Scrums

The Scrum Brake Foot Is Now Law: Coaching Safer, Steadier Scrums

The hooker's brake foot moved from trial into full law in July 2026. Here is how to coach it so your front row stays stable, legal and safe.

October 2026
|
Sportplan Coaching
VIEW ALL COACHING TRENDS
Rugby POPULAR SEARCH TERMS
lineoutruckingunder 8fitnessruckscrumtacklewarm uppassingtag rugbyjunior backline drillsmaultouchsevenstagtacklingtouch rugby7defencelines of running

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