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pads DRILLS
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Attack, turnover ball and decision making in attack

The game is to avoid contact, make sure the pads are not in a straight line to begin with. Attackers don't wait for defence to get organized. Go straight away as if turnover ball.

School

Beating the ball and rucking

Decision-making in contact. The aim is to get the ball carrier beyond the tackler and the support of players making decisions about who and the threats and who to clear out. The coach throws one of the 4 players the ball, they then have to beat the defender inside the contact area without passing. The other 3 players must run around cone (5 m to decide) before supporting. 4 attackers, 1 tackler and 2 pads Pads can come forward once attacker enters contact area (5 m x 7 m) Attacker sees footwork to trying get beyond defender. If they don't get tackled, then they look to score. You can keep changing the number of pads. Keep changing who the primary attacker is.

School

Contact and Support

Ball carrier goes into contact with the tackle pads. Break through and offload to a supporting player.

Contact Skills

Continuous Ruck Support

Groups of 4 and two groups of defenders with contact pads. 1 ball per group. The ball carrier drives into the contact pads and presents ball backwards. Player 2 binds on, face to face and secures ball, player 3 binds on the other side to form a front row. All attackers bind together and drive defenders back 2-3 metres. Player 4 takes ball out at back and runs back around cone with players 1-3 in support. Repeat going back the other way until all attackers have practised each role.

Ruck

Driving Maul

3 attackers against two defenders with contact pads. Ball carrier takes ball into contact turning before hitting pads and presenting the ball.Next two players bind on either side and drive the maul to the end of the grid to score.

Maul

Pressure Ball

Make sure your warm-up area is marked out before the players arrive. Depending on the number of players you have at training, mark out several warm-up grids. The size of your grid is a suggestion, but around 10 meters x 10 meters. The bigger the grid, the easier it is for the attackers - they have more space. The smaller the grid, the easier it is for the defenders. Break your players into two groups, pads and passers. One third of your players will be passers; the rest will be on the pads. Have one team quickly demonstrate the game to the other players. In each grid have four players on pads, and two passers. You could have more passers; I'll leave this to your judgment. The job of the players on the pads is to put pressure on the ball carrier, to surround them and stop them from passing the ball. The players on the pads are also trying to force the passers to make mistakes e.g. drop the ball, throw a bad pass etc. The passers have to move the ball around the grid, avoiding the pads. Passers can pass the ball in any direction. Players on the pads should have a little fun, and within reason push the passers around a little. You can award points for each successful pass, and points to the defending team on the pads for every occasion when a ball carrier is surrounded or the ball carriers make a mistake. Don't forget to change the players around, and to give players on the pads a go at passing the ball under pressure. Law Variations: You could insist that passers have only 3 second to make their pass, or risk losing a point to the defending team.

Warm Up

Speed Maul - Hands on!

Set up lines of defenders with pads aligned laterally across your working area. You can either have 1 line so the attacking players work once and in 1 direction or you can have a series of defensive lines so they attackers work continuously off both shoulders. Rotate defensive units.Work in attacking groups of 5 with 1 ball per group. The attacking groups start at point X. On the command, Player 1 carries the ball towards defender A. Just before or as the Player 1 makes contact with the tackle shield, Player 2 gets ‘hands-on’ the ball, moving it away from the defender. Both players then make contact powerfully with the defender (particularly Player 1 and get some go-forward (1 or 2 driving paces) before releasing to the acting half-back when feeds to Players 4 and 5 who repeat into defender B. Players 1 and Player 2 then loop behind and receive pass from player 3 before engaging defender C.

Maul

Split Drill with Trailer 3

Equipment Required: Bump Pads, Balls, Cones.On GO, players A, B & C start running but A & C switch sides behind player C and run around the cones. Player C takes a pop pass from the feeder and drives on in to the contact pad where he turns and looks to pass to either A or B who are crossing back behind him.

Agility & Running Skills

Three Player Circuit

The players in their groups of 3 stand between the lines of the inner square with the working group stood inside the other players. The first group of 3 begins by running across the grid passing the ball. When they reach the centre the ball is put down an they then run at the players with the pads (on their left) each pushing their player to the outer square. The players then swap. The pad players run across to the tackle bags and push and tackle the bags to the outer square. Players swap again now the new 3 players (third group) run to the ball pick it up and take the ball turn right to face the 3 players on the 12 o'clock side of the square and run into contact for the ball carrier to present the ball. This ball is then picked up by the 3 players being pushed back and the drill starts again. Keep the tempo of this exercise high. Note: You can change the position of each activity within the training area - but that will impact on the instructions to coaches. Players can basically go in any direction, but they do need to communicate and work as a unit. Don't get to hung up on where players should be going, or in what order.

Contact Skills

Chop Tackle - Pad Drill Warm U...

<span style=&quot;background-color: transparent;&quot;>Aim to develop good tackle habits through repetitive practice. Using pads allows you to train with intensity whilst lowering the impact on the body.<span style=&quot;background-color: transparent;&quot;>Set up two lines of players 5 metres apart<span style=&quot;background-color: transparent;&quot;>Attackers start on the 5 metre line with a tackle pad and defenders start on the try line<span style=&quot;background-color: transparent;&quot;>A coach or non participating player will stand behind the defending players (tacklers) and indicate the direction the attacking players run by raising their arm.<span style=&quot;background-color: transparent;&quot;>The attacking players (with pads) take 2 steps forward and then step 45 degrees and try to score on the try line.<span style=&quot;background-color: transparent;&quot;>The defending line need to communicate (whatever the teams call for getting off the line), eg READY READY UP (when attack moves – ball is lifted in a match)<span style=&quot;background-color: transparent;&quot;>The defending line come off the line and complete a tackle and reset to go again.<br><br><br>

General

Sausage Pad Tackling - Getting...

Start with a sausage pad horizontally on the floor. Players should get low to make a shoulder on tackle with the sausage pad. Encourage players to drive through with the legs to push the pad forwards. Drag the pad back into position and repeat.

General

Building the Ruck - One Step A...

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.

General

Line Speed Sevens - Rugby Dril...

Tell the players the following.... Players will advance as a line, and as one hit the pads. The pads can also advance as a line. If the pads do advance, they should return to their starting positions. The players hitting the pads just the end of the lines, ready to go again. The nest line should go when the players on the pads area ready. Don't forget to change the players on the pads.

General

Tracking hit Tackling - Rugby ...

Tracking hit (2 x 10 minutes in split groups) Set up3 different colour cones on the gain line. 2m spacing (set up 3-4 areas with 2 pads)Defender starts in the middle cone. Attacker has a pad. On &quot;GO&quot; the Attacker with the pad runs straight to one of the 3 cones.The coach can shout a colour to direct the Attacker to a certain cone. The Attacker must run straight to it. This drill will test Defender's front on and side on tackles: left and right.

General

Sausage Pad Tackling - Getting...

Start with a sausage pad horizontally on the floor. Players should get low to make a shoulder on tackle with the sausage pad. Encourage players to drive through with the legs to push the pad forwards. Drag the pad back into position and repeat.

General

Rapid Rucking Ruck - Rugby Dri...

In this exercise position 3 pad holding units, or 1 or 2 players, five meters in front of 3 rucking units, 1 unit facing each pad. Two players on each pad will provide a little more support for the pad holder - this is useful when a smaller player on the pad may be facing a larger/heavier ball carrier, or an aggressive rucking unit. There should be one scrum half and only the first rucking group should have a ball. Get started as soon as you can (but don't forget to make sure that the pad holder is holding the pad correctly and that everyone is working hard, but staying safe) - just let the players do what they will, you can refine their rucking roles and the level of execution as the exercise continues. The first rucking unit should hit the first pad, the scrum half will pass the ball to the second unit which hits the second pad, the scrum half passes the ball to the third unit, which hits the third pad. The other pads and the rucking units realign and get ready to go again. Once the third unit has finished their ruck, the scrum half passes the ball back to the second unit and so on. The exercise should stay live for as long as you need, and be action packed. Please don't have players standing around for too long, everyone should have something to do - and they should be involved! Enjoy.

General

Building the Contact Contact S...

<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 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.

General

Tackle Pad Grapple Contact Ski...

In pairs. Each player grabs one end of the tackle pad. The players wrestle to grab the tackle pad from the other players grasp. Repeat a couple of times.

General

Get Low - Tackle Below The Pad...

A great drill to get your players tackling low. Set up two cones about 2 metres apart with a player on each cone. One player stats holding a tackle pad horizontally at waist height. The player with the pad jogs forward and the tackler must make a tackle below the pad.

General

2 x Hit then pass Off Loads - ...

Set up the practice as shown inside a 30m x 30m Grid. 6 Shields and 1 Ball. Player 1 carries the ball before passing the ball to player 2 who bursts through the shields. Once through the other side, 2 passes to 3 and receives a return pass before bursting through the next set of shields Once they are through the last two players with shields can move and try and block the runners. Player 2 has the option to pass to either player or go it alone.

General

Tackle Conditioning Tackling -...

This is a simply set up game designed to test players' ability to continuously make tackles, especially when fatigued.Each area should be about 10m long and 5m wide - 1 tackle tube required.Starting from one end, a player runs to the other end where the tube is standing up, and the player tackles the tube to the floor.That player must then pick the tube up and run back to the original position and place the tackle tube there, stood up.The other player in the pair runs from their end, and tackles the tube to the floor, before picking the tube up and carrying it back to thetheir end.Continue this for one minute.

General

Driving Maul Maul - Rugby Dril...

3 attackers against two defenders with contact pads.Ball carrier takes ball into contact turning before hitting pads and presenting the ball.<BR>Next two players bind on either side and drive the maul to the end of the grid to score.<BR>

General

Tackle, Push conditioning rela...

in groups of 3. 1 player with a pad 1 player with a tackle bag and one with nothing. Player with nothing runs to the player with the pad and drives them across the grid.on reaching the end they swap roles and the other player runs across the grid to the tackle bag pushes and makes a tackle at the end of the grid and the players swap roles the new player runs across to the player with the pad and the practice continues.

General

Quick Removal - Beyond the Ruc...

Have a line of two or more ruck shields, a safe distance apart, five meters from the players that will make the hits. Make sure that the pad holders are holding their pads safely. You should also make sure that you have as many stations as you need in order to keep as many of your players as busy as possible. The player facing the pad should do the following... Approach the pad high. Hit low and hard with the shoulder. Take the pad holders leading leg, raising they legs off the ground. Drive through the hit, placing their non leg holding hand rightly around the body of the pad holder. They should pump with their legs, beyond the contact.

General

Contact and Support Contact Sk...

Ball carrier goes into contact with the tackle pads. Break through and offload to a supporting player.

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

Split Drill with Trailer 3 Agi...

Equipment Required: Bump Pads, Balls, Cones.<br><br>On GO, players A, B & C start running but A & C switch sides behind player C and run around the cones.Player C takes a pop pass from the feeder and drives on in to the contact pad where he turns and looks to pass to either A or B who are crossing back behind him.<BR>

General

sandwich ball Warm up - Rugby ...

4 player with pads are trying to wedge or push the player in possession of the ball. The 2 players have to try and put as many passes together as they can before losing control.

General

Contact and Support Contact sk...

Ball carrier goes into contact with the tackle pads. Break through and offload to a supporting player.

General

Beating the ball and rucking S...

Decision-making in contact. The aim is to get the ball carrier beyond the tackler and the support of players making decisions about who and the threats and who to clear out. The coach throws one of the 4 players the ball, they then have to beat the defender inside the contact area without passing. The other 3 players must run around cone (5 m to decide) before supporting. 4 attackers, 1 tackler and 2 pads Pads can come forward once attacker enters contact area (5 m x 7 m) Attacker sees footwork to trying get beyond defender. If they don't get tackled, then they look to score. You can keep changing the number of pads. Keep changing who the primary attacker is.

General

pads ANSWERS
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Using pads & contact shields -...

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

Purchasing a scrum cap

heymy name is kyle, im 18 from canada and im considering purchasing a scrum cap. ive locked for my school in grade 9 (4 years ago) but then our school quit its rugby program for guys so now im proping for my club team this year. back in grade 9, when anyone who wore scrum caps were considered "wussies" so everyone tackled them as much as they could but now that i play club rugby, i notice that almost everyone that has anything to do with the front 5 positions wears scrummy caps. i was wondering if there is anything "wussy" about scrummy caps? why do people wear them? (i mean, if almost everyone in the front 5 wears them, then i probably should too right?) also...do you have any recommendations for brand? barbarian, ccc...etcany feedback on this would be great. thankscheerskyle- submitted by email

Sportplan Team Coach, United Kingdom

My fowards seem afraid to ruck and stand around the?

My fowards seem afraid to ruck and stand around the ruck while in the way of the scrum half trying to get the ball out to the backs. They also don't support the ball carrier while he is being tackled. Please help me with any suggestions!!!

William Barrett Coach, United States of America

Does anyone know where I can find blueprints/plans?

Does anyone know where I can find blueprints/plans to build a scrum sled?

Chris Harrington Coach, United States of America

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

what is the difference in using a tackle suit vs a?

what is the difference in using a tackle suit vs a tackle bag

Archived User Coach

Do anybody have good pre season training exercises?

Do anybody have good pre season training exercises for my schools first team?

Alwyn Burger Coach, South Africa

Do Rugby players wear pads? Or is wearing pads considered?

Do rugby players wear pads? Or is wearing pads considered a sign of weakness?

Archived User Coach

To pad or not to pad...

Hello, my 8 yr old lad starts 'contact' rugby from next year.  He has seen some of his friends with various padded tops and asked me for one before next year. I instinctively said that he doesn't need one to which he replied that it would just make him feel better about tackling. From my point of view I just want him to be as comfortable as he can be.  He is slight of build but not a complete shrinking violet and if it will give him confidence then it seems pretty reasonable - although I wouldn't want him overly reliant and then lose confidence if his protection was lost etc. I'd appreciate feedback as to pro's and cons of pads / protective clothing - particularly from a junior angle. Thanks in anticipation.

chris Coach, England

lower limbs being targeted in ruck

is anyone else experiencing referee issues with the new not targeting lower limbs in the ruck or opposition not being taught the new laws correctly

Nige Hinkin Coach, Netherlands

Tackling (U10s)

I have been coaching this group for a number of years, but before Covid stopped play the boys had confidence tackling. When we returned back to full contact this year, a large percentage seem to have lost their confidence. I have tried 1v1 grid, tackling on knees, and running gauntlet (1v1). If anyone would know of any other drills that can increase confidence, that would be great.

Alan Mcilwaine Coach, Northern Ireland

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

Getting the team ready / fired...

Does anyone have any good hints / tips / suggestions for getting a team (Under 18's Male Rugby team) fired up before the game? The problem we are having is the boys don't switch on to the game 10 / 15 / 20minutes into it. We start 1 hour before kick off with a dynamic warm up, drills, moves for the day then back in 10mins before kick off to put shirts on and captains words, then out for kick off.

Archived User Coach

Does anyone have drawings for ...

Does anyone have drawings for a SCRUM MACHINE. I've started a club in Chengdu,China. Too expensive to import. Thinking of getting one made. Need prints for a simple machine

Archived User Coach

With all the protective equipm...

With all the protective equipment now on the market, does anyone know what the best Head protector and shoulder protector on the market is. Its for a hard hiiting 16 year old that doesnt hold back which is why im looking for the best. I know that protective gear isnt the be all and end all but it might help him in some situations. Thanks.

Riki Tanner Coach, Germany

in p 4-5 rugby can kids play w...

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