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Rugby: placement

placement DRILLS
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Box Kick

The box kick is a very dangerous tactic for attack and defense. When attacking it can apply immense pressure on a team by putting the ball behind them. It also isolates the receiver making them vulnerable to turnover. It can also be dangerous if not executed correctly as you can end up giving away possession.

Kicking

Lateral - Switch

Tell your players the following..... Players in pairs with a ball between them. The player on the left starts with the ball and passes the ball to the player to the right. The player with the ball then runs diagonally across the grid, while the player without the ball crosses over behind the ball carrier, ready to receive the ball at the next cone. They continue passing left to right and crossing over in each grid until they reach the end. Once at the end they run back to the start to the right of the grid, practicing the same skill on the way back but without cones to guide them.

Passing

Lineout: lift

Learning to lift and work as a a pod of three is the foundation of an effective line out. Players must also learn to lift whilst moving with the ball player. Hand placement is key to the lineout lift. The back player must place his hands high up the back of the legs whilst the front lifter lifts with his hands placed just above the knee. Once this is set in the stop position at the bottom of the lift both players must simultaneously drive up to the extended position. Your lifters will find it useful to also drive their chests forwards moving into the hold. As soon as the player collects the ball, both lifters must simultaneously lower the player and ensure not to release until the player is safely back on the ground.

Lineout

Passing Box

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.

Passing

Presenting The Ball

Good for younger rugby players to learn how to go into contact and set up the ball at pace, you can use it as a competition between the team with a limit of time etc. 2 tackle shields 1 ball 2 people are on the tackle shields about 5 metres apart facing each other, there is a ball carrier standing in the middle of the two defenders. Ball carrier runs in to one defender and places the ball, once placed, he gets to his feet quickly and runs into the next defender doing the same. This process can continue for as short or as long as you like, a good challenge would be 30 second limit to get in as many hits and ball placements as possible.

Ball Presentation

Rapid Rucking

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.

Ruck

Rucking drill

Excellent way to develop the different rucking techniques. Works concept of leg drive, body positions in contact, ball placement and desire to get go forward ball. Pad holder roles ball 1st man down and up into contact 2nd man clear 3rd man picks 1st player pumps legs and ends up long and is active on the floor. 2nd man is low and drive beyond the ball. 3rd player stays low and powers away. 2nd man may have to and Leach on. The idea is for them to work on getting going forward. Keep changing handball is taken by the 1st player.

School

Tackling practice

Balls and conesIn a 10m grid, two teams on two adjacent cones. On GO, the player with the ball walks diagonally towards the opposite cone whilst a player from the other team comes out to tackle that player in the middle. First to feet picks up ball and scores on opposite cone, Return to start and change teams

Tackling

To practice and develop ball Presentation.

Grid 10x10Numbers 18+Ages: 9+Balls: 61) Run across and place ball down about 1 metre in front of player on other side of grid.2) Player straddles ball - picks it up - holds it close to back shoulder - runs low across to other side of grid - places ball 1 metre in front of next player.3) As above but roll ball in gently rather than place down.

Ball Presentation

Union Jack

Tell your players the following... On GO Player A passes to B who in turn passes to Player C. At the same time Player E passes F. Once the players have passed the ball they then swap with the opposite player. Player A swaps with Player E, player B swaps with Player F, Player C with Player G, Player D with H. It's important that players only swap once they have passed the ball and only pass it when a player is in position to receive it. So - players swap following a pass - with their opposite number, the pass is always left.

Passing

Rugby: Goal Kick Foot Placemen...

Players looking to get the non kicking foot close to tee.

General

Rucking Body Position Ruck Cle...

<li dir=&quot;ltr&quot;>Players split into pairs and line up in as many lines as you require<li dir=&quot;ltr&quot;>Balls should be set out 2 yards in front of the player at the front of the line<li dir=&quot;ltr&quot;>The first player holds a tackle bag side on and falls flat to the floor with the bag, just behind the ball<li dir=&quot;ltr&quot;>The player gets into the rucking position over the ball and drives out over the ball for five yards.

General

Jackal Warm Up - Rugby Drills,...

Groups of 3 BallOne Player lies in a Long placement on the floor. Another player (Jackaler) comes over the top of the player, to compete for ball. Another player pushes, pulls and tries to make the player off balance.

General

Tackling in 2025: Technique, S...

General

Easing Back Into Contact: A Sa...

General

Push and Pull - Foot Position ...

Groups of 4 Focus on foot placment against the attacker. One player stands on his own, opposite another player. the other 2 players link up to one of the players and act as resistance against the player pushign the attacker. When the whistle goes the attacker and defender(with players holding on to him/her) runtowrads eachother.The dfender focuses on gettign foot inclose and then getting leg drive going. The trialer players give some resistance to encourage the leg drive.

General

Rugby: Presenting the Ball Usi...

Good for younger rugby players to learn how to go into contact and set up the ball at pace, you can use it as a competition between the team with a limit of time etc. 2 tackle shields, 1 ball 2 people are on the tackle shields about 5 metres apart facing each other, there is a ball carrier standing in the middle of the two defenders. Ball carrier runs in to one defender and places the ball. Once placed, he gets to his feet quickly and runs into the next defender doing the same. This process can continue for as short or as long as you like, a good challenge would be 30 second limit to get in as many hits and ball placements as possible.

General

Rugby: Pass Left and Right Fro...

Great for scrum halves to practice placement of foot and following through with hands. 2 balls, 3 support players, 1 passer Ted on the ground as if one is feeding from the backhe support players set up a triangle on your given dimensions. The person at the top of the triangle is the feeder for the passer, who will stand one metre from the feeder on the inside of the triangle. The feeder starts with a ball as well as the passer who will start with his ball in the position of a scrum or maul. Once the first pass is made the feeder must immediately place the next ball on the ground for the second pass to go to the next support player. Support players should return the ball immediately to the feeder. Work for a minute and rotate.

General

Rucking drill School - Rugby D...

Excellent way to develop the different rucking techniques. Works concept of leg drive, body positions in contact, ball placement and desire to get go forward ball. Pad holder roles ball 1st man down and up into contact 2nd man clear 3rd man picks 1st player pumps legs and ends up long and is active on the floor. 2nd man is low and drive beyond the ball. 3rd player stays low and powers away. 2nd man may have to and Leach on. The idea is for them to work on getting going forward. Keep changing handball is taken by the 1st player.

General

Rugby: Presenting The Ball - T...

Good for younger rugby players to learn how to go into contact and set up the ball at pace, you can use it as a competition between the team with a limit of time etc. 2 tackle shields 1 ball 2 people are on the tackle shields about 5 metres apart facing each other, there is a ball carrier standing in the middle of the two defenders. Ball carrier runs in to one defender and places the ball, once placed, he gets to his feet quickly and runs into the next defender doing the same. This process can continue for as short or as long as you like, a good challenge would be 30 second limit to get in as many hits and ball placements as possible.

General

ALPHA Backs Moves - Rugby Dril...

10 is the ball carrier, advancing forward, before cutting in as shown in the diagram. Both 12 and 13 advance, then change direction as shown in the diagram. 12 and 13 switch. 10 provides a pass to 13, who either hits the opposition defensive line at an angle before straightening up. Think about what will happen next. Could 10 follow the pass and take an off-load on an inside ball, if 13 gets past the gain line could 15 and 14 off wide support? Make this move your own!

General

Rugby: Goal Kick Follow Throug...

• The aim of the drill is to develop players follow through after the strike.

General

Rugby: Goal Kick Approach - Sp...

The aim of the drill is to develop players approach and angle.

General

lift Lineout - Rugby Drills, R...

Learning to lift and work as a a pod of three is the foundation of an effective line out. <BR> Players must also learn to lift whilst moving with the ball player. <BR. Once they are in the correct position. Ensure both payers squat down with a flat back before attempting to lift the player. <BR> Hand placement is key to the lineout lift. The back player must place his hands high up the back of the legs whilst the front lifter lifts with his hands placed just above the knee. <BR> Once this is set in the stop position at the bottom of the lift both players must simultaneously drive up to the extended position. Your lifters will find it useful to also drive their chests forwards moving into the hold. <BR> As soon as the player collects the ball, both lifters must simultaneously lower the player and ensure not to release until the player is safely back on the ground.

General

Rugby League: Presenting the B...

Good for younger rugby players to learn how to go into contact and set up the ball at pace, you can use it as a competition between the team with a limit of time etc. 2 tackle shields, 1 ball 2 people are on the tackle shields about 5 metres apart facing each other, there is a ball carrier standing in the middle of the two defenders. Ball carrier runs in to one defender and places the ball. Once placed, he gets to his feet quickly and runs into the next defender doing the same. This process can continue for as short or as long as you like, a good challenge would be 30 second limit to get in as many hits and ball placements as possible.

General

Pick and Go: Why Low-Volatilit...

General

Box Kick Practices for Juniors...

The box kick is a very dangerous tactic for attack and defense. When attacking it can apply immense pressure on a team by putting the ball behind them. It also isolates the receiver making them vulnerable to turnover. It can also be dangerous if not executed correctly as you can end up giving away possession.

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

Warm Up - Jackal Contact Skill...

Groups of 3 BallOne Player lies in a Long placement on the floor. Another player (Jackaler) comes over the top of the player, to compete for ball. Another player pushes, pulls and tries to make the player off balance.

General

Rugby League: Presenting The B...

Good for younger rugby players to learn how to go into contact and set up the ball at pace, you can use it as a competition between the team with a limit of time etc. 2 tackle shields 1 ball 2 people are on the tackle shields about 5 metres apart facing each other, there is a ball carrier standing in the middle of the two defenders. Ball carrier runs in to one defender and places the ball, once placed, he gets to his feet quickly and runs into the next defender doing the same. This process can continue for as short or as long as you like, a good challenge would be 30 second limit to get in as many hits and ball placements as possible.

General

Rugby: Breakdown Touch - Conta...

2 teams. Half pitch Ball - A normal game of touch, however with conditions. - When a touch is mae the attakcer must go down and complete a long placement.- The toucher must run and touch own tryline before continuing play. -A Second attacker must come over in a short period of time and secure the ball. - If a defneder manages to gewt to the ball before a attacking player secures it, it is a turnover.-Then play away.

General

360 Roll Ball Presentation - R...

The aim of the drill is to develop positive work after the tackle and when would you use a 360’ roll. often a loose tackle or let go. 360 roll 

General

Box Kick Kicking skills - Rugb...

The box kick is a very dangerous tactic for attack and defense. When attacking it can apply immense pressure on a team by putting the ball behind them. It also isolates the receiver making them vulnerable to turnover. It can also be dangerous if not executed correctly as you can end up giving away possession.

General

Passing 1 Step Passing - Rugby...

The aim of the drill is to develop players speed of pass.

General

Rugby: Pass to Hip Right and L...

Good for warm ups and co-ordination, getting used to keeping your body straight on and handling the ball and practicing using your arms to pass the ball rather than the whole body moving. 2 balls, 2 players Players stand 2 or 3 metres apart facing each other holding a ball on opposite hips (one on right and one on left). Work for 30-40 seconds on pushing the ball and passing from the hips to the other players chest; passes are made at the same time so coordination is key and the pass received must be returned from the same hip it was received.

General

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placement ANSWERS
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next season we introduce kicking to the boys what can you suggest would be a good place to start and how quickly should this progress be. any hints tips or drills would be great

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

iain Coach, England

Whats the different ways of placing the ball when tackled

Whats the different ways of placing the ball when tackled

Archived User Coach

Coaching the Tackle for U9s who are 'frightened'

Some of my U9s players, who are experiencing contact for their first season, are showing reticence in tackling - how do you coach or get through the fear factor/element?

Archived User Coach

rugby tackling under 9s fear

tackling under 9s fear

Archived User Coach

How can I overcome my son's fear of tackling?

How can I overcome my son's fear of tackling. He's 10 and shaping up to be a useful player in other areas but is very reluctant to engage other players in contact. What drills might help overcome this?

Archived User Coach

Forward positions at kickoffs ...

Hi there, I was wondering thoughts on forward positions at the kickoff. Do you have the catchers deep so the are coming forward to meet the ball or have one deep and one short? For the pods do you have a "quick" pod made up of all three loosies and a lock and a "slow" pod made up of the front row and the lock or do you split them in two pods made up of a prop, a lock and two loosies and the other pod of a prop, a lock, the hooker and a loosie? Who would you tell to be the ball carrier, body movers and bridger? All thoughts welcome. CheersDave

Archived User Coach

is a player deemed of their fe...

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

Coaching the Tackle for U9s wh...

Some of my U9s players, who are experiencing contact for their first season, are showing reticence in tackling - how do you coach or get through the fear factor/element?

Archived User Coach

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