Rugby: penalty

penalty DRILLS
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Flip It

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 defence. 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. When you start playing this game make sure that the defence is employing your defensive pattern around the ruck. As the game develops consider telling the defenders that they must have one or more players at the back of the ruck, if they are not fast enough to do this - push them back 10 meters. It’s important that defenders are employing their defensive pattern behind the primary defensive line. 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! When you feel the time is appropriate, usually during a ruck, blow you whistle and should FLIP IT – kicking in or throwing in a second ball to the back 3/2 defenders on the team currently in defence OR just kick it behind the defenders. The defensive team goes, without hesitation, into attack. The team that was attacking goes into defence and you or an assistant coach remove the other ball from play when you can. Ideally you might have two balls with different markings. 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

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

penalty ANSWERS
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Where is the off side line when a ruck is formed

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

Archived User Coach

is a player deemed of their feet at a ruck when both?

is a player deemed of their feet at a ruck when both hands and feet are in contact with floor (basically in a press up position)

Archived User Coach

Offside

What are the Offside Laws pertaining to Scrum Half at Scrum Time?

Archived User Coach

Foul play in a rugby game

2An in-goal player catches the ball from an opponent's kick and touches it down. That player is then late tackled. What actions are available to the referee? Asked using Sportplan on Mobile

Archived User Coach

Is this penalty play legal?

I want to run a play that catches opposing players off guard when my team has been given a penalty. Is it legal to call for a shot at the posts, place the ball on the tee, and go through the motions of a penalty kick. However, I keep four or so guys ready behind my kicker, who only kicks the ball off the tee 10m in front. Both the kicker and 4 team mates then run onto the ball, scoop it up and put it through the hands if required to score. I notice a lot of our opposition huddle under the posts, or leave massive areas open, when we call for a shot. Can you call for a shot, but not actually take a shot?

Archived User Coach

Can you set up a maul directly from the penalty?

Why do teams risk losing the ball at the line out or scrum when awarded a penalty close to the opposition try line. Could they not set up a driving maul directly from the penalty?ThanksAde Collingham

Ade Collingham Coach, England

Successive quick tap penalties...

During a recent U17's league game, the opposing side took two consecutive quick tap penalties. During a break in play shortly after, as the coach attending an injured player, I questioned the referee on the legality of this passage of play, as my understanding was that two consecutive quick taps, used to catch the opposition in an offside position and therefore gain terratorial advantage, was not allowed under current law. The referee responded that this law is at his discretion and when we discussed after the game, he stated there is no such aw and that it is a "gentlemens agreement". I have since reviewed the laws on penalties and there is no specific law preventing a side taking two quick tap penalties. Has anyone else come across this interpretation and how can this be managed consistantly if when watching elite games, such a move is not allowed yet can be allowed at junior level ?

Archived User Coach

Setting up maul directly from ...

Why don’t teams set up a driving maul directly from a penalty, rather than risk losing a scrum or line out?

Ade Collingham Coach, England

Tap penalty - Running onto the...

When taking a tap penalty can a member of the kicking team be running onto the ball before the tap is taken?

Archived User Coach

Forward penalty moves | Sportp...

I coach a girls high school team and I am looking for a few penalty moves my forwards can do

Archived User Coach

What is the clear definition o...

What is the clear definition of "rolling away"? Playing in the SCRFU we've been penalized a few times for the ball carrier (sometimes tackler) not rolling away when they are at the bottom of a pile. Even when raising our hands and not making any play for the ball. We simply can not move from the pile because our leg/head/arm is beneath other players. It seems like a misinterpretation of the rules and their intent to prevent the play from continuing.

Kevin Raymond Coach, United States of America

difference between a free and ...

I need to know the difference between a free and a penalty kick. Because I am learning to be a ref

Archived User Coach

Is sealing the ball at the tac...

Is sealing the ball at the tackle and ruck legal again?

Des Crowley Coach, United States of America

Can you lift the legs when cle...

Can you lift the legs when clearing out the ruck and if so what happens if you take the player off his feet to the ground?

Archived User Coach

. What actions are available t...

An in-goal player catches the ball from an opponent's kick and touches it down. That player is then late tackled. What actions are available to the referee?

Archived User Coach

What can the referee do when i...

An in-goal player catches the ball from an opponent's kick and touches it down. That player is then late tackled. What actions are available to the referee?

Archived User Coach

where is the offside position ...

where is the offside position for attacker during maul

Archived User Coach

Is Bridging Illegal? | Sportpl...

Simon My son's PE teacher has told him that Bridging is lieegal for the U13 to U19 group. His Club coach has been encouraging its use in games for two seasons. I can see some of the dangers but also the advantages Who is right is it banned or can it be used? Paul submitted by email

Archived User Coach

In a last ditch attempt to sav...

In a last ditch attempt to save a try I ankle tapped the opposition ball carrier. I was subsequently penalized by the ref for an illegal tackle. I have seen ankle taps in many international games and have never seen a penalty from it. Is the ankle tap a legal form of tackle? Have the laws changed in regards to ankle taps?

Archived User Coach

My U18s were refused a quick l...

My under 18 team tried to take a quick lineout with one attacker in the lineout and 2 defenders in the lineout. When he threw the ball to another attacker who was about 10metres behind the lineout he was told by the referee that the lineout had formed and could not take a quick penalty. What is the clarification of this as I always thought you had to have at least 2 players from each team in the lineout to say that the lineout had formed?

Archived User Coach

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