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square DRILLS
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3 on 3 engagement procedure.

Front Rows coming together. Each prop touches the opponents upper arm and then pause before the front rows meet. The sequence should be: "Crouch, bind, set". Coaches should replicate this call when practising to help players develop their timing and to assist the Referee

Contact Skills

6 vs 6 Uncontested Scrums

Ensure that players:- Bind correctly. Keep the scrum square. Keep correct body position. Hooker to strike for the ball - signal the scrum half Hook ball back with right foot between left hand props legs. Both sides remain static and do not contest the ball.

Scrum

cross over running

5 x 5m grid, size can vary according to ability.Player at the front of each queue starts with a ball, runs diagonally across square and gives a pop pass to the player at the front of the oppoisite queue.

Agility & Running Skills

Individual work on feet.

Player to position their self square to the scrum machine.Keeping the back flat, with shoulders slightly above the hips, with chin off chest and chest out; reach out the outside hand and place on the scrum machine.With the body weight on the 'balls' of the feet and knees bent, lean forward onto the machine and engage.

Contact Skills

Lineout Throw

Lineout

Scrummage terminology.

Key factors: Shoulders above hips.Keep squareChin off chest

Contact Skills

Square - Improve reactions

Players stand on a blue cone. On Go, the player passes the ball and sprints out to the nearest cone in the middle then back steps back to the next blue cone in line.

Handling

Staying Alive

Tell your players the following... The first player runs into the grid, the ball carrier. They attack the inner square. When they get into that square, they then pass to a player either on their left or right before following their pass and taking the place of the receiver on the cone. The receiving player then runs into the grid and passes (left or right) before following their pass once again. Passes should be legal.

Passing

Union Jack

Divide the players so that they are spread equally between 8 points (4 corners of a square, and 4 more at the midpoints. Each ball carrier runs across the square to the opposite point and passes the ball to the next waiting player

Agility & Running Skills

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

Staying Square and Fixing Defe...

Exercise aimed at attackers staying square when running towards a defender in order to fix them to the spot and then spin a pass out to the side.Attackers start on a cone, before running towards a cone 3m awayOn that cone, the attacker sidesteps (drops the shoulder) and goes the other wayRunning straight now, the attacher goes towards the tackle tube (or whichever necessary object) in front of them and before 'contact' spins the ball out to the opposite sideFor example, if the player stepped towards the left, the pass is made to the player waiting on the right side of the area.

General

Tackle square 1v1 Tackling - R...

Step 1: Both the attacking and defending players complete 2 chop tackles on the tackle sausages. Step 2: The attacking player picks up the ball, and attackes the opposing corner where the defender is coming from.

General

Kicking Square Kicking - Rugby...

Drill to practice short kicks to an attacking player.Set up a square roughly 10m x 10m, with an even number of players behind each cone (see diagram).One player starts with the ball and runs out a few metres before kicking the ball to the player on his right for them to run on to. Once he has performed the kick he keeps running and joins the back of the line opposite him.This player runs on to the ball and gathers it, before continuing running in a straight line and passing the ball to the first person in the line opposite. He then joins the back of the line.Progression:Start with chip kicks, and then move on to grubber kicks.Introduce a second ballChange the direction the drill is being run (i.e. kick to the left instead of the right)Change the foot which the player is kicking the ball with.

General

Rucking Square Ruck - Rugby Dr...

Set up a square (roughly 2m x 2m) with 4 different colour cones.1 player starts on the floor with the ball with another player lying on top of him, simulating a tackle. The third player starts outside the square, simulating an attacking support player.The coach calls out the colour of one of the cones and the player on the floor in posession of the ball has to work to present the ball in the direction of the cone, while the defender is on top of them. Once he has presented the ball towards the cone, the defender has to get up off the player presenting the ball, show a clear release, and then go for the ball. Meanwhile the third player (supporting attacker) has to get themselves in a position so that when the defender goes for the ball they can clear them off the ball, therefore retaining posession for the attacking team.The players reset the drill and the coach calls out another colour of a cone. Players perform 4 repetitions in each role before swapping positions.Progressions:Start with the supporting attacker only bumping the defender off the ball and increase the amount of contact/force the players are going in with

General

Square Drill - Continuous Atta...

<span style=&quot;color: var(--color); font-style: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-weight: inherit;&quot;>Set up a large square with a cone in each corner. Three attacking players start along one side of the square with two defenders in the middle. You can increase the number of attackers or defenders as you wish. Attacker always try to attack across the square. Once the attackers reach the other side of the square they pop the ball to the attackers on the side of the square and not in front of them.<br>

General

Contact Square - Inside Clear ...

<span style=&quot;background-color: transparent;&quot;>Set up a 5mx5m grid<span style=&quot;background-color: transparent;&quot;>Work in fours - two attacker and two defender<span style=&quot;background-color: transparent;&quot;>The ball is fed from a player from the 1st defending player who also holds the tackle pad and will simulate the ‘jackal’ threat player in the 2v2<span style=&quot;background-color: transparent;&quot;>The first attacking player receives the ball and engages the pad holder and passes to the second attacking player<span style=&quot;background-color: transparent;&quot;>The second attacking player engages the second defender (tackler) and bounces out to a weak shoulder<span style=&quot;background-color: transparent;&quot;>The first attacking player (inside clear out) and the 1st defending player (jackler) then try and race to support<span style=&quot;background-color: transparent;&quot;>The inside clear looks to support the attacker and clear out the jackler<br><br><br>

General

Square - Improve reactions Han...

Players stand on a blue cone. On Go, the player passes the ball and sprints out to the nearest cone in the middle then back steps back to the next blue cone in line.

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

Square - Improve reactions Bal...

16 Cones 1 Ball, progress to 2 balls. 15m x 15m Grid. Players stand on a blue cone. On Go, the player passes the ball and sprints out to the nearest cone in the middle then back steps back to the next blue cone in line.

General

Staying square and fixing defe...

Groups of 6+ BallsSausages/BagsCones Players line up opposite the trinagle of cones set up on the floor with ball in hand. Player runs at the black cone, as the player runs the coach shouts either yellow or red (cones). The player with ball then reactes to the colour called and steps to attack that cone. When reached trhe cone the player must perform a pass back the direction they came to player waiting to recieve.

General

Capture and Escape - Evasion a...

Set up a wide pitch, with cones on the half way line plus an extra box on two opposite corners. These corner boxes are the prisons for tackled/tagged players.The aim of the game is for players to run into the opposing team's area and grab a ball to bring back into their ball area in their half.However, if a player is tackled/tagged while in the other team's half they must go and stand in the prison square.Players can be released from prison by being tagged by a team-mate. Once released they must walk around the outside of the pitch back to their own half before rejoining the game.

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

Punt Kicks Kicking - Rugby Dri...

• The aim of the drill is to develop kickers through the gate and keeping square onto the kick.

General

Passing right to left Passing ...

Strong grip, thumbs are out, hold the ball high with fingers pointing to the sky. Keeping your hips square pass the ball across your body, finishing with your hands nice and high - pointing to where you want the ball to go.

General

Passing Technique Progression ...

1. Square on: one hand Stand square on, in your partners pass the ball back and forth no more than 5m away from eachother, rember use 1 hand and start with ball on hip. 2. Side on: one hand Same again but no stand side on. 3. One step: two hands Same distance apart, introduce the second hand and take a step and pass try to do 10 off each hand.

General

4v2 attacking grid Handling - ...

Groups 18Balls ConesGroups of 4 line up on all sides of the square.2 defenders tand in the middle of the grid. The attackers start by fixing and beating the 2 defenders in the middle. Once beaten offload the ball to the next 4 attacking a differnt direction. Aim is to score as many tries as possibel in a set time.

General

Three Player Circuit Warm Up -...

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. <em>Note:</em> 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.

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

3 player circuit Contact skill...

This practice is set out with a inner square and a outer square. 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 starts to run across the grid passing the ball. When they reach the centre the ball is put down and they then run at a 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.

General

Alcatraz: Jail Break Warm Up -...

This is a great warm-up for defensive and evasion sessions, or it might even be a warm-up that helps you reinforce coaching points made during a previous session. The best bit is that it's fun and relevant to all ages. If you're coaching tag rugby, change the warm-up exercise from contact to tags. One team runs clockwise round the inside of the circle with the other team running anti-clockwise around the outside of the circle. The circle in this case is marked out using blue cones, but you can use whatever colour you like. When the coach shouts 'Jailbreak' the players inside the inner circle try to 'escape' to outside the 10m x 10m square (yellow cones). The size of the square and distance from the circle is a suggestion, play with it a little and let us know your variations! The inside team scores a point for each 'jailbreaker' - swap over. If you have an odd number of players give the defenders the extra man.

General

Jump Hurdle, Receive Pass, Spr...

Good for warm ups and handling the ball under fatigue. 4 or 5 hurdles, cones for variations. Keep body square on when receiving ball and have one or two players working consecutively. Give target to receive the ball. When working around cones make sure to reach the mark and work hard to next hurdle. Finish by sprinting to designated point whereby more variation can be added.

General

Escape To Victory Warm Up - Ru...

Within each group of 10, there should be 4 attackers and 6 defenders. The defenders should be in the outer grid and the attackers will be in the inner grid. The defenders cannot enter the inner grid. The players can pass the ball in any direction inside the inner grid, and can move around as much as they like. When they attack outside the inner grid, they can only use non forward passes. The aim of the game is for the attackers to touch the ball down outside the outer grid, without getting touched. If the attacker gets touch, they swap places with the defender that touched them - they become a defended and the defender now becomes an attacker. Decide on two handed or one handed touch, it's your call. You might also decide to give your four attackers a period of time and unlimited touches before switching defensive and attacking players. Don't forget to give everyone a chance in attack and defence.

General

Pass Invaders Passing - Rugby ...

Split the team into two groups.The players run to the cone and then pass the ball square before running on to the next cone and pass square. When the players reach the end they have to run back through the middle of the cones.The practice keeps repeating.

General

square SESSIONS
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Catch & Pass - Develop Good Habits

Develop a early hand catch, quick transfer of the ball across the body, and follow through towards the support player...

Pass to Glory

Get your team passing to glory with this session, improving their movement, technique and communication
square ANSWERS
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Under 9`s rugby, fear of tackling!

I coach under 9`s rugby and a lot of the kids have a bad fear of tackling, they lack the confidence to get stuck in. What is the best thing to help them overcome this?

Archived User Coach

devise a four man line out game throwing two opstions

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

Archived User Coach

What are the main attributes of a good tighthead prop??

What are the main attributes of a good tighthead prop?

Paul Brooker Coach, England

Looking for coaching tips on introducing U9 kids to?

Looking for coaching tips on introducing U9 kids to the tackle area

Archived User Coach

My son's u16 team is suffering from a wheeling scrum.?

My son's u16 team is suffering from a wheeling scrum. The front row's height is 5'6 for the loosehead and hooker and 5'11 for the tighthead. Is this a contributary cause? My guess would be that their shoulders are not hitting squarely, causing an angle.

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

please how do idefine the players in the pitchie. who?

please how do idefine the players in the pitchie. who is the flanker, hooker, fly half etc

Archived User Coach

I'm starting coaching under 14 what are best drills?

I'm starting coaching under 14 what are best drills to start ?

mario smedile Coach, Italy

Number 8 pick ups from scrum at U13?

Number 8 pick ups from scrum at U13?

Phil Harvey Coach, England

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

What's your favourite pre-match warm up?

I'm looking for something a bit different to use with my team before their next match. Something to get them communicating.

Steven Portplan Coach, England

Refereeeing an U10 ruck

As well as coaching U10 rugby, I also get to referee U10 games, under the New Rules Of Play. I feel that my refereeing of the ruck isn't as good as it could/should be. Has anyone got an easy to follow system to help them referee U10 rucks ?

Archived User Coach

Over confident players not offloading

hi I help coach a under nines team where the bulk of the team are constantly trying to run through tackle after tackle.when we talk to them they all understand about off loading the ball to avoid the seven tackle turnover, but as soon as on the pitch try line fever sets in.any ideas to encourage passing of the ball

paul stuart giltrow Coach, England

Rugby warm-Ups for Mini Rugby Aged 8

Hi. I am in charge of the Mini Rugby (age 8) warm-up and am interested in more ideas. I try and keep them fun, sports specific and interesting for the boys and they seem to like what I do. Can anyone please help? Thanks!

Archived User Coach

U7 and u8s tag rugby with low numbers

I coach under 7s and under 8s tag rugby and we often get low numbers at training as low as 2 or 3 any ideas for games for them to play that is related to skills without having to cancel a session. Asked using Sportplan Mobile App

James Gallagher Coach, England

weak sholder

what is weak shoulder

Coach, United Kingdom

Grid sizes- is each square in ...

ie how do u determine what size grid to make

Archived User Coach

Spin pass for a 14-year old bo...

I need coaching points on how to spin passin a casual game how to quickly get it away

sarah milford Coach, England

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