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mauling DRILLS
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Tackle practice

Teams of 3 one team with ball. Start with both teams on their own goal line. Team with ball attempts to scoreDefending team allowed 1 on 1 tackles. When tackled, both players get to feet and ball carrier restarts game with free pass. Knock on, forward pass, in touch all result in turnover ball and free passChange attacking team after each score.

Tackling

Touch Rugby with mini-maul

Touch rugby in teams of 5. Once a team has been touched three times change possession. When a player is touched, the tackler stays in passive contact until the nearest attacker comes in and supports their players by mauling the ball away to continue the game.

Match Related

Maul Touch Warm Up - Rugby Dri...

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.

General

Counter Attack Sevens - Rugby ...

Tell your players to do the following....... The two passing players keep passing the ball until the coach shouts GO. On GO, the player holding the ball is an attacker, the other two attackers will go with that players. The remaining passer becomes a defender, and will join the defence with the two defenders at the bottom of the grid. On GO - the attack begins, and the defence should try and stop them. The attack aims to score a try at the bottom of the grid. Following each attack the players should return to their positions, but should swap around. You might decide to start this as a touch exercise, then go to contact.

General

Switch Over Attack Passing - R...

Drill to practice attacking organisational skillsSet up a grid roughly 20m wide and 20m long, with different coloured cones at one end and 5m away from that end (see diagram).3 defending players line up at one end (blue players between white cones) and 5m infront of them 4 attacking players line up (red players between green cones). One further defender waits at the opposite end of the grid.On the coaches command the three defending players run to the green cones and turn to defend. Meanwhile the four attacking players run to the white cones and turn to attack, receiveing the ball from the coach (grey). They are trying to score at the far end of the grid (red cones).Once the attack have beaten the defensive line the final defender may move forward off the try line (red cones) and try and defend.

General

Mid-Space attack Decision maki...

There are 4 cones in a rectangle , 2 red and 2 blue. The 2 defenders stand within the square, and on the coach's call, they must go and touch the called colour cone.As the coach calls it the attackers can go.The ball starts with the attacker in the middle.His aim is to attack the space in between the two players, and execute the first opportunity that presents itself. either one of the players will move in on him, therefore opening up space for the support runner on that side, or both will commit to him, or none in which case he is through!

General

Touch Rugby with mini-maul Mat...

Touch rugby in teams of 5. Once a team has been touched three times change possession. When a player is touched, the tackler stays in passive contact until the nearest attacker comes in and supports their players by mauling the ball away to continue the game.

General

Wide Attack Sevens - Rugby Dri...

Start with the left most attacking unit taking on the 2 defenders in front of them. When they get past, they pass the ball to the link, who then passes to the opposite attacking unit, who then take on the first 2 defenders. When they get past, they pass the ball out to the link, who passes the ball to the opposite attacking unit, who should now be ready to take on the next two defenders. And so the exercise continues up the pitch. Don't forget to change the attackers and defenders after each completed run up the pitch. The attack should finish by scoring a try!

General

Rip and Ruck Maul - Rugby Dril...

Players stand in a circle, about 5 meters apart.Two player, one with a ball, positioned in the centre of the circle.The ball carrier (player 1) runs towards on of the players in the circle and drives into them for about 1 meter.The ball carrier then drops to the ground before presenting the ball for the supportive player (player 2).The supportive player then clears the ball out and passes it to another player in the circle.Player 1 the regains to their feet, moves onto the next player in the circle who has the ball, secures the ball from them, drives forwards a meter, drops to the ground and presents the ball.The drill continues.

General

Mini Maul Technique Maul - Rug...

Groups of 8 split into four groups of 2Players pass and, chase the space, until coach shouts - Maul, at which time the second player joins the first and they play with four hands on the ball until coach shouts play

General

Attacking Overload - Exploit T...

The drill starts with two teams of equal players playing a standard game of touch. Whenever a touch is made, the defender immediately joins the attacking side and acts as scrum half. This creates an attacking overload. Players must try to score a try by exploiting the overload in the least amount of touches. The drill resets after a try is scored.

General

Crossover Relay Passing - Rugb...

Keep your player briefing short. You may consider having a demonstration group. Give two players opposite each other, one ball each. On your call they will come forward, towards each other, sidestepping to avoid contact before passing the ball either left or right. There should be no forward passes and the players need to communicate to avoid both balls going in the same direction. When the receivers collect their pass - they do the same as the first set of ball carriers. Players that have completed their run and pass within the grid should join the end of the opposite line. Players should seek opportunity to pass off both their left and right hands.

General

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

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

Defense vs attack drill School...

The aim is to the defensive situation to keep changing the defence gets used to drifting or pressing. The aim of the attack is to realign using the full width, get the ball out of the breakdown quickly (no matter what position you play), seeing space, communicating options and reading the defence. Can be done with any number of players but best suited to around 7. You will need 7 cones, 1 ball, a 40 m area, attack of line and try line. Players passed the ball quickly down the line. When the ball gets halfway, the coach shouts out a number. Number reflects the number of defenders. The end player puts down the ball by pad, then the 2 defenders get onside (beyond defensive line) and defend against the other attackers. The defenders need to work together. Stay tight and use the sideline extra defender. Drifting from the inside and pushing up and out. Attack looks to use, player pace and beat the drift. Important defence talks and understand what they are doing in the changing circumstances. With 4 attackers and 3 defenders, defenders might look for a blitz defence or up then drift. Scrum-half can break so defence must defend at guard. Attack should be looking up and reading the situation. If we have an overlap then as a unit we must understand how to fix defenders. You must start to add a kicking option to advance the drill. 8 players, you can have a forward runner offering a shadow line of 10. He is involved in the passing down the line but is on a separate cone in the front of the 7. This fits in with the patterns and philosophy of attack. You might get the forward to press ups or other exercise to replicate fatigue.

General

3D Touch Rugby School - Rugby ...

Players can run with the ball and pass in all directions. If a player is touched while in possession of the ball, it is an immediate turnover (ball put on the floor). The team that scores, turn to attack the other way. This rewards teams scoring and means defensive side have to work to get the ball back.

General

3 'v' 2 Passing - Rugby Drills...

This is a simple 3 v 2. The three attackers have to get past the two defenders without being touched, that's it. The defenders 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 defenders.

General

3 on 2 Attack and Defence Dril...

Set an area with two different coloured cones on the touch line in the middle, one for defenders and one for attackers. At the prompt of the coach the players run around designated cones and attack the defenders to score. Ball carrier should initiate the attack by attacking the inside shoulder of the first defender to stop a drift defence. Draw the first defender and make the pass to your next support runner who should do the same to pass to the outside runner who can go and score. Once attacked three or four times players should swap to defence but not every single time to create continuity and positive development.

General

Depth and Quick Hands Handling...

Highlights the importance of attacking from depth and letting the ball do the work in attack.Team of four attackers versus three defenders.The teams line up opposite each other face to face.On the shout of GO, each team retreats a few yards and the ball is passed to the nearest attacking player.The attackers then quickly pass the ball along to the next teammate in the line as they step up.The defenders try to get close down the attackers.

General

Narrow Channel Passing Passing...

Drill to practice attacking in a small channel.Set up a channel roughly 20m wide and 5m long. Position three defenders on the try-line and four attackers opposite them.The attack are trying to score tries over the try line while the defence try to stop them with a two handed touch. The defence can only move laterally.The attack must take the ball back over the white line of cones after every score/touch before they can attack again.

General

Attacking Lines: Unders and Ov...

Attackers react to the defensive line in a 3 v 2 situationIf defence is compressed - overs - an outside line should be exploited. Can use two or three attackers to attack into the wide spaceIf defence is wide - unders - a tight inside line should be hit by the middle player into the gap between two defenders.

General

SUPPORT TOUCH Match Related - ...

The normal rules of touch rugby, however variation of: -When there is a touch the player must pass the ball over his head within 2 meters of the touch. ⁃This encourages support play, and increases your teams fitness. ⁃Fun and Hard Work.

General

Catching a high ball Catching ...

Call for the ball! Head and eyes up looking at the ball, get in line with the ball. Quickly move to the ball's 'drop zone' Adjust position to get under ball, hands up and ready to take ball Turn the body to protect during contact and also to avoid a potential knock on if dropped ball Raise one knee to protect yourself from any potential contact (Note: it's illegal to be tackled in the air). As you land on your feet brace yourself for contact.

General

Building The Defence 1 Sevens ...

Tell your players the following......... The coach will call a number e.g. 1. That attacking group must attack, aiming to score a try at the opposite end of the grid. The defence must try to stop them. Simple as that - except the number calls will be quick - there will be no delays between attacks, so the defence must be Sharpe and respond quickly to what they see. That's it - lets play. Don't forget to change the defenders.

General

mauling SESSIONS
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Confidence in Contact: part 1

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

Building player's confidence in contact

Build your player's confidence in contact with this session, as you work on their contact skills in a safe and competitive environment

Maul Development: Create, Secure and Defend a Maul

Use it, and not lose it! Create, secure and defend a maul with this session for a successful season.

Continuity Play - Passing your way out of the tackle

Help your side avoid the breakdown by focusing on their continuity skills - keeping the ball moving and starting to work on contact!
mauling ANSWERS
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maul vs ruck

I want my team to stay up when heading into contact and have support there immediately to form a quick maul and get the ball out quick. Our backs are very fast, and I want them to get the ball as much as possible. Am I right in thinking this way?

Archived User Coach

What is the best age to introduce contact?

I'm trying to work out what the best age is to introduce contact to children (tackling, mauling, rucking). I think learning early how to handle contact safely is very important, but at the same time, I want to make sure it is not too early. Are there any universal guidelines, or does it vary from national union to national union?

Dominic Rossi Coach, Canada

can anyoune suggest some line out moves for under 12s?

can anyoune suggest some line out moves for under 12s?

Spitfire Coach, England

Do you have a drill/session based on communication?

Do you have a drill/session based on communication

Archived User Coach

Taking the ball into contact

Several of my players are taking the ball a yard too far into contact and losing possession as a result.Do you have any suggestions or drills that would help to address this? Dave Knights. Hong Kong

Archived User Coach

Order of operations for a maul.

I'm kicking around two different orders for creating mauls. 1) 3rd Man Rip First supporters arrive and drive over rather than stripping ball. I like this one because it allows the supporters to join more quickly and keeps everything going forward. Because the original ball carrier keeps the ball until the 3rd man joins, this maul turns into a clean ruck very easily. I don't like this one because of the increased stress on the ball carrier to protect the ball, and the ball's slower movement to the back. 2) First man rip First supporter arrives and strips, third and fourth drive over. I like this one because the ball is cleared from the front straight away. I don't like this one because it can fall and be a mess, as well as as lack forward momentum as the focus is put on the ball. What do you think about the two ways of forming a maul? I've seen teams do both. Keep in mind I coach mainly older, new players.

Josh Macy Coach, United States of America

I'm looking for a couple of drills for counter rucking?

I'm looking for a couple of drills for counter rucking and mauling to suit U11's..... any guidance?

Archived User Coach

I'm 19 years old in Canada and have started a new rugby team?

I'm 19 years old in Canada and have started a new team. All the students that have signed up are new to the game and are about 14/15.. Any tips on how to introduce rugby to them?

Archived User Coach

coaching under 9s next year, where do I start?

Hi, I’m coaching under 9s next year which involves tackling, mauls, rucks etc. I’m after advise on what to coach first and the amount of time spent on each area. Added to this I’ve somehow become the lead coach after a couple of coaches stepped down (feeling a little under pressure!) Would anybody be willing to share any sessions so I can plan the first month or so. Cheers

Archived User Coach

First time coaching the U13s next season - any tips greatly appreciated!

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

Using pads & contact shields - good or bad?

an RFU directive states that coaches should not hold pads/shields for juniors to run into during sessions, or even juniors holding pads for each other!!! I notice a lot of drills utilise pads as this was something we always used when I trained years ago! I personally think they are a good thing (especially since some of the juniors I coach are 'not small'!) BUT wondered what the general thoughts were out there in SportPlan world....

Archived User Coach

When can you rip the ball in U10s game?

I believe it's only when a maul and not 1 on 1 tackle. And what games can you play to demonstrate this?

Tristan Taylor Coach, England

Interpretation of the maul - f...

I will be coaching under 10 next season and need some guidance on how to interpret the rules for the maul?

Ezra rushen Coach, England

When a scrum is awarded follow...

When a scrum is awarded following an unsuccessful end to a maul, which team throws the ball in?

Arthur Johannes Coach, South Africa

maul vs ruck | Sportplan

I want my team to stay up when heading into contact and have support there immediately to form a quick maul and get the ball out quick. Our backs are very fast, and I want them to get the ball as much as possible. Am I right in thinking this way?

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

Flood the channel | Sportplan

I keep hearing the term flood the channel, what does this mean?

Archived User Coach

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