Rugby: line speed

Running between the wickets remains one of cricket's most undervalued skills. Teams that run well can add 15-20 runs per innings without taking additional risks. Good running also puts pressure on fielding teams and creates more boundary opportunities by rotating strike effectively.

Calling and Communication

Clear partnerships:

First call: The striker calls for shots in front of the wicket.

Non-striker's role: Calling for shots behind the wicket where they have the better view.

Decisive calls: Yes, no, or wait - clear and immediate.

Changing calls: Only the person running to the danger end can change a call.

Running Technique

Low bat carry: Running with bat horizontal for faster turns.

Turning efficiency: Planting the outside foot and driving off it.

Ground cover: Maximum speed while maintaining control.

Slide technique: When and how to slide the bat safely.

Judgement and Awareness

Field assessment: Knowing fielder positions and arm strengths.

Reading the ball: Judging how hard the ball was hit.

Backing up: Non-striker moving with the bowler's delivery.

Risk calculation: Understanding when twos are on and when they're risky.

Partnership Building

Strike rotation: Keeping both batters involved and comfortable.

Protecting partners: Taking singles to shield weaker batters from dangerous bowlers.

Momentum building: Using quick running to lift scoring rates.

Energy management: Balancing running intensity with stamina over long innings.

Key Coaching Points

  • Communication between partners must be immediate and clear
  • The first run is always the easiest - look for the second
  • Running technique can be practised without batting
  • Know opposition fielders' strengths and weaknesses
  • Good running adds runs and creates pressure on fielding teams

Drills for Running Practice

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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

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

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line speed ANSWERS
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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

How can I improve my team's li...

How can I improve my team's line speed in defence? Are there any drills which can help me?

michael klieve Coach, England

how do you side step properly

how do you side step properly

cj Coach, Northern Ireland

What are the main coaching points when introducing?

What are the main coaching points when introducing the drift defence? I'm talking mainly about senior players.

0lymp1an Coach, England

how do you stop a 15 breaking through the gain line

how do you stop a 15 breaking through

Andy Stephens Coach, Scotland

Not sure if this question has been asked...but is drift?

Not sure if this question has been asked...but is drift defence REALLY the BEST way to combat the fullback entering the line?

Archived User Coach

DEFENSE

My team are new and are very slow on reforming the defensive line,any ideas on how to speed it up?

Archived User Coach

Does anyone have specific drills, practices for developing?

Does anyone have specific drills, practices for developing line speed and any progressions

Archived User Coach

what drill do i use to teach realigning to take a pass?

what drill do i use to teach realigning to take a pass running from depth.

Archived User Coach

Law 12 - the forward pass or throw forward

The law says that a forward pass is one "thrown forward" "in the direction of the opponents' goal line" Does that mean that, if the ball is passed and the receiver catches it NEARER to the opponents goal line than from where the ball was passed that the pass was forward? (Leaving to one side any other touches of the ball that might have taken place.) Maybe an example is better. Player 1 passes the ball sideways - releasing it on the 22 metre line. Player 2 (with no other player having touched the ball), running from well behind the 22 metre line, catches the ball when it has travelled sideways but the ball is now 20 metres from the opponents goal line (2 metres further forward from the place that the ball was passed). Is that a forward pass or throw forward? And if not, why not?

Archived User Coach

drills to improve the flat line technique

teahcing primary school kids and could use some drills

Archived User Coach

Can players throw ball forward to themselves then catch it?

if i throw the ball forward and catch it before it touches any opponent or the ground is that a forward pass

Archived User Coach

What is 1v1 side defence-go forward?

Doing level two and have forgotten what the above means........

johnwrobertson Coach, England

U9 Positional Play Advice

What options are there for positional play in the U9s game? What formations are recommended in attack or defence? What's a good place to start teaching this? No scrums at this level so that's out of the question. Greatful for any advice. Thank you. Matt Asked using Sportplan Mobile App

Matt Potter Coach, England

Getting a straight defensive line and speed

Hi. I coach a B level under 12 team at school with very mixed abilities. I cant get my boys to get up in a defensive line together or even come up in defense. Any drill very much appreciated.

James Pattinson Coach, Australia

KICKI

MAY YOU PLEASE SHOW ME AN EXAMPLE OF A KICKING AND PASSING DRILL

lindiwe Coach, South Africa

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