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passes DRILLS
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Defender - Round and Realign

Tell your players the following...... There will be one ball to each group, any player can be the ball carrier. Each group will have one defender, the defenfer will not have to go around the cone. On GO, the group moves towards the closest cone.At the cone, the players spread out and attack the line at pace and with width. They should realign following the attack left, to attack again right. When the second groups sees the first group complete their first set of passes, they should begin without waiting. The defender should swap with another player in their group. Variations: Make the training area small to force quick hands. Make the training area wider to increase the length of the pass. Allow players to be creative in attack.

Passing

Introduction to ruck

In small teams, play a modified game where if the ball carrier is touched on the shorts with both hands of a defender, the ball carrier must go to ground and present the ball to a support player who passes the ball from the ground unopposed Change possession once a try has been scored.

Ruck

Maul Full

Maul

More Loop

Tell your players the following...... The ball carrier (A) runs straight in a line and makes a normal lateral pass to the supporting player (B) After passing the ball A runs towards and behind B After B catches the pass they angle their run towards the direction the pass has come from and so create space A runs around B and straightens as they receive the pass In effect you want the players to loop around the new ball carrier after they make their pass.

Passing

Passing Race

Using just one hand they should pass the ball to each other. The pass should come from on, or behind the hip. They should make 10 passes on one hand, and then 10 passes on the opposite hand. That's it, lets get going - it's a race.  Any dropped balls - and your group has to start again. That's it, get working.

Handling

Progression in ruck

In groups of four, the ball carrier runs out, turns and passes the ball to the second player. The first player then becomes a defender. Player 2 goes into contact and tries to drive the defender forward but when stopped, slides down to ground and presents the ball. Player 3 then drives over player 2, clearing the defender out of the way. Player 4 picks up the ball and runs on to the end where the drill is restarted running back down the grid

Ruck

Relay Passing Race

With each new instruction to players you'll be having a race, lets see which group is the fastest - no cheating! Don't spend too much time talking, get the players into their groups quickly and tell them to do the following: Pass the ball between your legs to the person behind you - keep going until the ball reaches the end of the line. Same thing as above, but this time when the ball reaches the end of the line, the player at the end runs the ball back and the ball starts the same journey again. This is repeating until the every player has run from the back to the front of the line. Same idea but this time under legs then next person passes over head, next under legs (under/over/under etc.) Same idea but twist hips to pass to person behind first to the left then to the right - back person runs to front. As above but just over the head. Progress this with your own ideas e.g. pass to the person behind you with one hand etc. This warm-up should be full of fun.

Warm Up

Ruck - Full

Ruck

Standing and Passing - Variation

Keep your player briefing, brief! Tell your players the folloiwng......... Players should be moving, staying around 5 meters part - running with the ball and attacking space. After the first catch - pass ball around body. After the second catch - pass ball through legs from front and behind left leg. After the third catch - pass ball through legs from front and behind right leg. You might consider asking players to pass the ball with just one hand, off their hip

Passing

10 Pass game Warm Up - Rugby D...

2 teams  Bibs  Balls  One team must try and complete 10 passes in a small grid.  When the player has the ball in his hand he cannot move, the other team must try to intercept the ball to stop them completing 10 passes.  Defending team must stand 1 metre away from ball carrier. If the ball is dropped or intercepted its a turn over.  If a team knock the ball down its a knock on and the same attacking team keep the ball. 

General

SH Passing Reps Sevens - Rugby...

The sequence of passing on this exercise is as following...... P2 passes to P1, who passes to P4 using a pass from the ground. As the same time P3 passes to P2 who passes to P1, who passes to P3, from the ground. and so the exercise continues. There should be no delay in passes.

General

Closed Leg Pass Passing - Rugb...

The aim of the exercise is to develop 1 Step Closed leg pass to encourage the attacker to keep square.

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

Quick Hands Passing - Rugby Dr...

Tell your players the following..... The first player runs out with the ball to the first set of cones and passes the ball to the second player. The second player then runs out to the next set of cones and passes the ball to the third player, who runs out to the next set of cones. In the last area of cones, the ball has to be passed quickly amongst all the players.

General

Passing Along The Line Passing...

Simple hand drill that can be progressed onto many simple backline movements. 1 ball, 4 players, area of 20-30m by 20m 1st player starts with the ball who commences the sequence by running, 2nd player run from depth and receive the ball then pass to 3rd player who will do the same to the 4th. From this point the order will reverse to get another repetition through everyone's hands so you can score at the end of the grid.

General

Clapping Game Passing - Rugby ...

Tell your players the following. 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 clap once before catching the ball - and the passing player must move the ball within 5 seconds. The passer can dummy, and if a receiver claps they must do one or more press-ups. If the receiver doesn't clap and receives a ball - they must do one or more press-ups following their pass. 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. Have fun with this!

General

Passing Central Passing - Rugb...

Keep your player briefing, brief - and get the players moving as quickly as you can. You may consider having a demo group. On your go: The player acting as the Scrum Half passes a ball to the grid on his right and then another ball to the grid on his left, both passes will be from the ground. Upon receiving the pass - each grid begins their 2 v 1 attack and the player with the tackle pad presses up in defence. When the player acting as the scrum half has completed their two passes, they join the attackers on either the left or right grid. The first receiver of each attack becomes a Scrum Half - or simply returns to the start of the grid to join a new attack as the first receiver. Players rotate positions e.g. Scrum Half, First Receiver, Second Receiver. Defenders can move forward and back, and side to side. Change the defenders often to give them a chance in attack.

General

Soft Hands Passing - Rugby Dri...

The aim of the drill is to develop players awareness and passing.

General

Passing Reps Sevens - Rugby Dr...

The sequence of passing on this exercise is as following...... P2 passes to P1, who passes to P4. As the same time P3 passes to P2 who passes to P1, who passes to P3. P1 passes to P3 , and so the exercise continues. There should be no delay in passes.

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

Pass Developer Sevens - Rugby ...

Tell the players the following...... Players should make 10 passes each between the 5 meter and the touch line. When they have done that, number 2 will move out 5 meters. The players do the same for 10 passes, and then move out another 5 meters. They keep going, lets see which group of 2 will be able to pass over the longest distance.

General

Passing Race Passing - Rugby D...

Using just one hand they should pass the ball to each other. The pass should come from on, or behind the hip. They should make 10 passes on one hand, and then 10 passes on the opposite hand. That's it, lets get going - it's a race.  Any dropped balls - and your group has to start again. That's it, get working.

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

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

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

3 v 1 Grid Passing - Rugby Dri...

6x6m Grid Ball Players line up in 3s opposite sides of the grid. Simply pass the ball along the line. 1 defender is in the middle of the grid putting pressure on all ball carriers.Once hand completed the next line starts immediately. Defender swaps out when there is a mistake or when he touches someone with the ball. Progression: add another defender, make the passes wider.

General

Passing Grid Passing - Rugby D...

Set up a grid of about 10 x 10Aim to have 12 attackers and 2 defenders3 attackers spread out on each side of the square. One player starts with the ball and runs towards the first defender, before passing off to a supporting attacker, who runs towards the next defender and passes off to the other attacker in the threeThe ball is popped off to the end attacking player on the opposite side of the squareThe same play happens with three new attackers and same two defendersThe ball is then popped off to the side, and play continues until all four groups of attackers have run through twice.Then switch defenders.

General

Lateral Passing Passing - Rugb...

Drill to practice passing laterally.Set up a diamond roughly 10m wide and 5m long (see diagram).Two players position themselves at either end and one player is in the middle.The player in the middle is running shuttles across the diamond, each time he runs a shuttle he must catch a pass from one feeder, and pass it to the other one before completing the shuttle.Players should do twenty repetitions each and then swap positions.

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

Continuous Passing Square 1 Pa...

Set up 4 cones in a square, and get the players to form equal lines behind each cone.The ball starts with a player on one cone who runs towards the cone to his right and passes the ball across the square to a player from the next cone running onto the ball. He catches the ball and continues his run, passing the ball to someone from the next cone running onto the ball.Change the direction which the ball is goingProgressions:Get the players to change direction on your command (shout/whistle)Multiple balls at a timeAs a group must complete 10 successful passes before the session can move on, every time a ball is dropped the whole group does an exercise (e.g. 10 press ups).

General

Pop and Pass Passing - Rugby D...

Tell the players the following.... The player on the cone passes the ball forward to the player just in front of the cone, the passer then become the runner. The reciever pops the ball for the runner to run onto. Runner takes the ball and makes a bawards pass to the player on the cone opposite them.  The runner can drift to increase the distance of the pass. Players should side step to avoid one another in the middle of the grid. The first reciever can change the way they present the ball: they could set the ball on the ground for the runner to pick, they could lob the ball into the air for the runner to reach for and catch, they could deliver a low pass aross the knees for the runner to catch etc.

General

Zig Zag Relay Passing - Rugby ...

Tell the players to do the following...... The player with the ball passes to the next player and follows the direction of the ball. The chasing or support player must touch the cone of the player they passed to. The player who receives the ball does the same and so on to the last player who receives the ball and runs around the group to the first cone and restarts the drill. The player returning to their cone, must backstep their way to their starting location.

General

Passing Behind Passing - Rugby...

In partners get your players to move round each other, passing with 1 hand round the "back of their hand".

General

Passing Lines of 5 Passing - R...

Set up an area of about 15 x 15m. Have 2 teams of 5+ players, with 1 one ball.The players can run anywhere in the area but can't run with the ball. The first team that get 10 passes wins a point. If the ball in intercepted or dropped then turnover. The 1st pass is after the turnover is free.Stop the game every 1 minute to stretch for 30 seconds.PROGRESSIONPlayers can run with the ballPlayers can run with the ball for 2 seconds onlyOverhead passes onlyTouch the ball on the ground before passingCan't pass back to the person you've received it from

General

Speed pass challenge Passing -...

Groups of 8Ball Cones2 sets of 4 players line up back to back.Cones are places 3m apart and 3 in fornt of both set of players.When the coach says go the players must complete 4 passes before reaching the far cones. Then they must turn and do the same off coming back. (1 rep) Its a race agaisnt the opposing attackers to compelete the the reps given.

General

Static Flat Pass Passing - Rug...

The aim of the drill is to develop a short push pass.

General

Traffic Passing Warm Up - Rugb...

This passing exercise will keep large groups of players busy passing, running onto, and moving the ball in traffic without the need to spend large amounts of time standing around and doing very little. It's a little confusing to start with, but when the players get going - it's great fun and very busy. Create a large box, the size is up to you and can be varied depending on your coaching goals. Each side of the box should have 4/5 players, more or less if you wish, standing in an attacking passing line - ready to go. You'll need two balls, give one ball to the first player on one of the lines, and the other to the last player on the line opposite. The lines advance passing the ball down the line as they go - they will pass through one another. When the ball gets to the end of the line, the last ball holder passes the ball to the first receiver of the line closest to them - and that line advances. There should be two lines active at any one time, and two lines getting ready to go. I hope that makes sense!

General

Passing circle Passing - Rugby...

Tell your players the following..... There will be 4 players on the outside of the circle, starting at 12, 3, 6, and 9 o'clock positions. There will be one player in the middle. The players on the outside of the circle jog around the circle. The player in the middle will have a ball, and will pass the ball to one of the runners - for them to run onto it. The new ball carrier will pass the ball back to the static player in the middle of the circle. And the same happens again, but the passer cannot bass to the same player twice. Players will have to respond to the calls: SLOW JOG, FAST JOG, FASTER, CHANGE DIRECTION, TOUCH THE GROUD WITH YOUR RIGHT HAND, TOUCH THE GROUND WITH YOUR LEFT HAND, etc. Don't forget to change the static player.

General

passes DRILL CATEGORIES
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Off Loads Drills
Off Loads Drills
passes SESSIONS
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Developing reactions and decision making skills to dominate support play

A player needs to make hundreds of decisions on the pitch. Get them making the right ones when in attack to utilise the support to sustain attacking pressure on the opposition.

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?

Improving the length of pass

The ball travels faster than a running player, so stretch your opponents defence by developing your players' long pass.

Developing fluid passing and movement skills to beat the defence

A session for beginners, work on their basics to develop the correct technique so that when it comes to game play, your beginners will soon look composed and confident in attack.

Pass to Glory

Get your team passing to glory with this session, improving their movement, technique and communication

Sevens - Options in the Attack

3 simple options to improve your players' decision-making in the attack and get them past opponents gain line!

Decision making under pressure

Test how your players respond to finding space and passing under pressure, as we move forward with the Rugby season.

Sevens Rugby: Options in the Attack - Greater Pace

Give your players three simple options to improve their decision-making in the attack and get them past the opposition's gain line!

Quick Hands - Attacking Space Session

Fast hands = Fast Passing. Get your team passing at speed to change the point of attack and attack the space!
passes ANSWERS
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Tips for teaching kids to pass?

Tips for teaching kids to pass? Under 7's%3A Posture, feet position, ball holding,action, short and long passes. Any guidance / links to websites please

Archived User Coach

does anyone have any suggestions for penslty moves?

does anyone have any suggestions for penslty moves in the oppositions half using the forwards? Under 12s.

Spitfire Coach, England

Top Tips for Girls U12 Tag Rugby

About to start a Girls U12 Tag Rugby team (hopefully) to run over the Summer months. Has anyone any particular top tips?

Gary D Coach, Northern Ireland

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

I am looking for Loop pass coaching games to improve?

I am looking for Loop pass coaching games to improve my player game.

Archived User Coach

what are the rules of tag rugby?

what are the rules of tag rugby?

Chris Mason Coach, England

i am just starting to play scrumhalf could you give?

i am just starting to play scrumhalf could you give me some tips on how to be a quality scrumhalf

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

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

Hello, i am after some help with planning a half hour?

Hello, i am after some help with planning a half hour session in off loading out of the tackle

Archived User Coach

What are some simple drills for touch rugby?

Hi I am a new 19 year old coach, it is my first time coaching and currently am looking after a year 3/4 team for touch rugby. I was wondering if anyone could give me some simple drills to help build the students passing and spreading out skills for touch rugby

Zac Coach, New Zealand

First time coaching U9 and U10s - anyone got any backline coaching tips?

Hi im a first time coach and is still getting the hang of how the technical details of the game works the back line is my department and whould like any help i can get to know what drills to do and anything helpfull in the backline im currently coaching for the under 9 and 10

Archived User Coach

Looking for day 0 skills to teach children?

I am looking for a Day 0 type of session for American children who may have never held a rugby ball. If I move forward with a rugby exhibition/team creation in the neighborhood, I want to make sure I know how/what to teach Day 0. I'm hoping that interest is growing for touch and flag rugby due to the recent in Philadelphia between the USA Eagles and the Maori All Blacks. I was there. It was fantastic. Tickets sold out so fast, I think there will be more of these in the area. Thanks.

Doug Jones Coach, United States of America

Broulee (Off a Scrum)

8 Picks, Passes to 9, Passes to 10, Passes to 12, Passes to 14, 13 starts on opposite side wraps around gets ball from 14, 15 starts other side of scrum wraps around and gets ball from 13 scores in corner

Alec Corcoran Coach, United Kingdom

FLY HALF

How can i improve my skills on the field as a flyhalf

zachree bergstedt Coach, South Africa

switch pass in rugby union | S...

switch pass in rugby union

maria Coach, England

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