Contact Help center
Rugby Rugby
HOME Rugby Coaching Trends SEARCH

Rugby: step

step DRILLS
View All

Agility Slalom - Race

Start with 2 players on the centre cone, each with a ball, and facing each other. On the shout "GO", they both run backwards to the first cone They then side step up the grid to the second cone Next players run through the slalom cones back to the start where the ball is passed to the next players Next players can only go when each player has received a ball (to ensure each race is fair).

Agility & Running Skills

Box agility running

Players line up in two groups on the first cone. On GO, the first players side step to the second cone, go around it and run backwards to cone three where they side step the opposite direction to cone four where they turn and sprint back to the start and pass the ball to the next player. When both players have received a ball they repeat the drill Its a good idea to have groups next to each other so they can compete against each other.

Agility & Running Skills

Drift defence

4 Tackle Bags. 10 Cones and 1 Ball. 10m x 30m. The first player in the line begins with the ball. As he approaches the first cone and passes to player 2 who is supporting. Player 1 carries on their run and hits the tackle bag before running backwards to player 2 original position. Player 2 on receiving the ball passes the ball onto player 3 before hitting the tackle bag and back pedalling to player 3 original position. When the ball reaches player 5, that player side steps behind the others back to position 1 where the drill is repeated.

Defensive Patterns

Fast Footwork

Setup as shown. 2 groups with one ball per group. The first players in each group sprint to the second blue cone then quickly back step to the first. Then they sprint to the third, back step to the second,, then sprint to the fourth where they side step to the next cone. At that cone, they sprint forwards to the next cone then side step to the last cone which they turn around and sprint back to the start and pass the ball to the next player.

Agility & Running Skills

Leave No Man Behind

Players start in the bottom right corner and on the command sprint as a group before doing 5 press ups. They advance as a defensive line, moving as fast as the slowest player. They never leave a player behind. They then side step (push as a defensive line) left to the next set of cones to do 5 sit ups before sprinting to do press ups. The group follow this routine until the end before the next group go.

Agility & Running Skills

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

Simple Passing Grid

Brief your players one what you would like them to do. Start the activity by having all players pass the ball around the grid in any direction, they should moving around the grid as they do so. The only restriction is that they must pass in order 1 - 2, 2 - 3, 3 - 4, 4 - 5, 5 - 1 and so. Progress this exercise by having player 1 become a defender. The other players move the ball to avoid being touched by the defender. So in this example the ball would move in the following sequence: 2, 3, 4, 5, 2, 3, 4, 5. After some time, change the defender. Player 2 should now be the defender, the passing sequence changes to: 1, 3, 4, 5, 1, 3, 4, 5 etc. Progress this exercise further by choosing random defenders, attackers will quickly need to work out the passing sequence. If attackers get the passing sequence wrong, they do 1, 2, 3 etc. press ups - the defender does not.

Passing

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

The Three S Drill (Speed, Swerve and Sidestep)

Coach calls a number, that player acts as a defender. Attacker tries to score without being tagged using one of the three S (Speed, Swerve, and Sidestep)

Agility & Running Skills

Passing 1 Step Passing - Rugby...

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

General

Step Back Sevens - Rugby Drill...

Players start at the cones, pass the ball one circuit clockwise and one circuit anticlockwise. Following the two circuits, they take one step back. Thus making the circle bigger. They then repeat the 2 circuits of passing the ball around the circle, before taking another step back. Repeat until the circle is so big that the players are having trouble completing their pass.

General

2 vs 2 (loop and step inside) ...

This is a basic 2 vs 2 drill to allow players to progress from a simple 2 v 1. In a channel no wider than 10m, 2 attackers have 5 attempts to score a try on the red cones. The attackers try to create space and beat the defenders by running good support and holding lines.

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

Side step practice Agility & R...

Simple game for players to work on their ability to side step and beat opponents 1 v 1.The defender starts with the ball on one coned corner of the playing area.The defender passes the ball to the attacker standing on the opposite cone.The game is then a 1 v 1 and the attacker must side step the defender to reach one side of the squared area.

General

Side step Agility & Running Sk...

Set up as shown in diagram Groups of 3 in 10 x 10m grid. 1 Ball per group. Coach to call Left or Right to ensure no collisions.

General

Rugby: Building the Ruck - One...

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

Side-stepping the opponent Agi...

Players line up and approach the pole and evade to a side. Using shorter strides when they get close, they step to one side with the POWER STRIDE, and off that leg they change direction in the other direction, anything from 30-90 degree angle changes is sufficient.

General

Side-stepping the opponent - P...

Players line up and approach the pole which the coach is now moving side to side. Once the player gets reasonably close, drop the pole to one side, the player must then react and sidestep in the other direction, working away from the defender. Using shorter strides when they get close, they step to one side with the POWER STRIDE, and off that leg they change direction in the other direction, anything from 30-90 degree angle changes is sufficient.

General

Contact: ruck conditioning Ruc...

Groups of 10+ Tackle bags Conesstep 1 - players perform a down up - chest to the floor. Step 2 - Players make a double shoulder hitbetween 2 bags opposite.Step 3 - active player moves down the line to hit the next group of 2 bags. At the end players start again, aim to do 2/3 min sets then swap the bags.

General

Colour Agility Agility & Runni...

The coach sets off the players one by one. As players run in a straight line they progress to the first cone and need to react to the colour called out by the coach. Players step in the direction of the call and then step back inside again, straightening up and accelerating out!

General

Rugby: Lineout: lift+balance -...

Groups of 3 -Players take turn in lifiting eachother using the correct lineout technique. - Once in the air players take a couple steps to the side to maintain stability ans strength. Progression: When player is in the air throw a ball to him at differnt position to test stability of base and handling skills/

General

Fast Feet Drill Agility & Runn...

The ball carrier from each team runs out to the cone and runs backwards on the return before passing to the next playerFirst team to get all players back to original start position wins.<BR>

General

Rugby: Box agility running - S...

Players line up in two groups on the first cone. On GO, the first players side step to the second cone, go around it and run backwards to cone three where they side step the opposite direction to cone four where they turn and sprint back to the start and pass the ball to the next player. When both players have received a ball they repeat the drillIts a good idea to have groups next to each other so they can compete against each other.

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

The Three S Drill (Speed, Swer...

Coach calls a number, that player acts as a defender. Attacker tries to score without being tagged using one of the three S (Speed, Swerve, and Sidestep)

General

Leave No Man Behind Warm Up - ...

Players start in the bottom right corner and on the command sprint as a group before doing 5 press ups. They advance as a defensive line, moving as fast as the slowest player. They never leave a player behind. They then side step (push as a defensive line) left to the next set of cones to do 5 sit ups before sprinting to do press ups. The group follow this routine until the end before the next group go.

General

Competitive Sidestep Drill War...

<li dir=&quot;ltr&quot;>Two players are competing to manoeuver around the sticks or cones and get over the line.<li dir=&quot;ltr&quot;>Set up sticks (or cones) on the pitch as shown in the video.<li dir=&quot;ltr&quot;>Players line up in two lines and on the coaches signal/whistle players begin the drill.

General

Fast Feet Drill Agility & Runn...

The ball carrier from each end runs out and has to side step left and right through the cones to the end where the ball is passed to the next player.First team to get all players back to original start position wins.<BR>

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

Zig Zag Relay Passing - Rugby ...

The player with the ball passes to the next player and follows the direction of the ball using a side step. 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.

General

Fly-Half Drill Agility & Runni...

Either from standing start or from receiving pass the player should look to fake, side-step or dummyAfter having done this they should now accelerate hard over 5-10m.

General

Agility Slalom - Race Agility ...

Start with 2 players on the centre cone, each with a ball, and facing each other. On the shout "GO", they both run backwards to the first cone They then side step up the grid to the second cone Next players run through the slalom cones back to the start where the ball is passed to the next players Next players can only go when each player has received a ball (to ensure each race is fair).

General

Evasion Skills Sevens - Rugby ...

Tell the players the following..... The player on the top of the grid is the defender. The player on the bottom is the attacker. When the defender passes the ball to the attacker, the attack begins. Using footwork and other evasion skills the attacker should score a try. That's it, play. Give the players a number of chances each - changing the attacker and defender. When you feel they are doing well, decrease the width of the grid by 1 meter. Keep decreasing until the players are at the limit of their ability to evade contact.

General

Hurdles and Ladder Agility & R...

SAQ (Speed, Agility, Quickness) drill for warm ups, handling the ball and warming up muscles. 4 or 5 small SAQ hurdles, 1 ladder Make up course of your choice and run through giving various commands. After the ladder you can put two cones left and right about 2 metres ahead to give commands left or right etc.

General

Clear, Tackle, Hands Circuit. ...

-4 bags-2 sausages. Put players on each bag, sausage and 2 defenders at the end of the grid. There are 4 working attacking player. Step 1 - Complete 2 shoulder clears on the opposing tackle bags. Step 2 - 2 attackers nominate themselves to tackle the sauages. Step 3 - the 2 support players pick the ball up and try complete the 4v2 (tackling players need to bounce up of feet quickly)

General

Unfortunately there were no results for your search! Please try again
step SESSIONS
View All

Quick Ruck for Quick Ball

Quick rucking that produces quick ball is the first step towards a dangerous attacking side. Use this session to get your team rucking quickly, efficiently and effectively!

Establishing Depth and Pace

Use this plan to get your players attacking with depth and hitting the ball with pace to improve your side's running lines!

Position Specific Speed Training

Get your team the fastest and most agile out there. As the season deepens, we all need to stay on top of our game; make sure every position is covered with this intense drill.

Ruck through the Gate

Teach your team to ruck safely, effectively and quickly. By going 'through the gate' you'll avoid giving away penalties and encourage better binding

Rocking the Ruck

You've only got 5 seconds in the ruck to free the ball and win back possession for your team - Make those 5 seconds count!

2nd Wave Defence and Developing Offloading!

Develop your team's offloading in attack and their 2nd wave defensive play with this session

Games Session: Competitive and Fun Alternative to Drills

Game on! Competitive and fun game based session, focusing on decision-making, movement off the ball and attacking vision.

Developing decision making skills to improve support play!

Make the right decision. Get players to offer support when it’s most needed and keep your attacks alive.

Proactive Attack!

Improve your players decision making and passing ability and timing and attack proactively with pace and decisiveness to cut through defences at will.

Ruck Development!

Rucking isn’t just about the breakdown itself, get your players thinking ahead towards the next play and make your rucks twice as effective.

6 Ways to Improve Evasion and Footwork Skills

Develop a team of untouchables! Improve your players ability to swerve and sidestep past opponents with this evasion and agility footwork skills plan

The breakdown: Turning the Ball Over - Part Two

Teach your players to make the right decisions in the breakdown - don't lose possession when your players go to ground.

The breakdown: Turning the Ball Over - Part one

Hard work doesn't stop! Teach your players to get back to their feet quickly and compete to win the turnover

2v1 Attacking Skills Session

Improve your players' 2v1 confidence and introduce them to the dummy pass, support running and offloading in this attacking session!

Running Lines and Fixing Defenders

Create doubt in the defender's mind by getting your ball carrier to run straight with the ball, and support runners to run good lines to create depth and width

Tackling Technique - Tackle with confidence

Refresh your junior players' tackling technique before the season starts to help them grow in confidence and prevent injuries in your team!
step ANSWERS
View All

Best way to beat the tackler?

One on ONe, what is the best way to beat the tackler? Side-step? Change of angle? Hand-off? Chip? Personally I like to side-step

Archived User Coach

how do you side step properly

how do you side step properly

cj Coach, Northern Ireland

I need to develop a session to introduce the side step.?

I need to develop a session to introduce the side step. Any ideas of game situations? I have several drills (practices) but need the game. I would be grateful for any ideas.Cheers

Archived User Coach

Good drills for evasion;step,swerve,etc?

Good drills for evasion;step,swerve,etc?

Archived User Coach

how do i gain confidence to tackle

how do i gain confidence to tackle

Archived User Coach

Big Hit or Step Up tackle

Describe a 'step-up' or 'big hit' tackle. How would you coach it, what is the technique and what are the key factors technically?

Archived User Coach

IS there any way i can learn the rugby side step??

IS there any way i can learn the rugby side step??

senushka Coach, Sri Lanka

Making the full-back position an attractive proposition.

Making the full-back position an attractive proposition. Often over-looked, the full-back position is a vital player in anyones team if he is used and brought into the game. Does anyone have any technical/positional material to coach prospective players in this position?

Archived User Coach

Picking up the ball?

Player A tackles the opposing ball carrier (B). His teammate (C) is there to step over the tackled player from an onside position and when Player B attempts to present the ball he reaches down to pickup the placed ball while remaining on his feet. Player B trys to retain the ball because none of his teammates are there to ruck over or pick up the ball. Player C gets called for hands in a ruck. Why? I thought if on my feet and coming through the gate the ball is fair game. I can see only 2 proper/legal ways to get the ball if what I did was a penalty. Option 1 is to step over and kick the ball clear, risking a call for dangerous play, and hoping for the lucky bounce. Option 2 is to step over the carrier AND the ball and hope a teammate is there to pick up or ruck over behind me. Basically, ignoring the ball in plain site and not pick it up. I get it if there are other opposing players (other than the carrier) so a ruck is formed but not the way it happened. What is the right play?

Kevin Raymond Coach, United States of America

Backs moves in planner

I am trying to put my own moves into the planner session but am finding it difficult get to the correct page as the demo shows .Can you give me a step by step procedure,thanks

CHRIS FOWLER Coach, Australia

ho do you sidestep

ho do you sidestep

Christian Mutangara Coach, Zimbabwe

Sharing session plans

hi,How do I make my finished session plans public?

Volda Fotball Coach, England

How do I see which members of staff have access to Sportplan?

I am the member of staff from my school that has admin rights to our Sportplan account and I would like to know how to see who else has access to the account.

Archived User Coach

How to reduce the size of a session planner image

Archived User Coach

conditions must be met when throwing the ball into a scrum?

conditions must be met when throwing the ball into a scrum?

Rajnish kumar Coach, India

folder

How do i copy drills into a folder

Laura Kerr-Sheppard Coach, United Kingdom

how do you side step properly ...

how do you side step properly

cj Coach, Northern Ireland

u8s running sideways not forwa...

What drills would anybody reccomend to encourage forward running in an u8s side,whilst keeping it fun?Some players tend to crab along the pitch.

Archived User Coach
step COMMUNITY DRILLS
View All

Cone wars

Get power in your rugby pass 🚀 💥 in 4 steps😱!

GB1

Seek gab and offload

Side Step

Handoff with offload

BLUES

Copy of Dummy half run

1 v1 (meerdere keren uitzetten)Autosave 4783920

Copy of Dummy half run

JOIN SPORTPLAN FOR FREE

  • search our library of 1100+ rugby drills
  • create your own professional coaching plans
  • or access our tried and tested plans
STAY CONNECTED

in more ways than one

sportplan_rugby
LATEST COACHING TRENDS
Pick and Go: Why Low-Volatility Rugby Is Dominating the 2026 Six Nations

Pick and Go: Why Low-Volatility Rugby Is Dominating the 2026 Six Nations

The teams winning in 2026 aren't taking risks - they're grinding out territory with relentless pick-and-go phases. Here's how to coach it.

March 2026
|
Sportplan Coaching
Smart Mouthguards and Concussion Protocols: Coaching for Player Welfare

Smart Mouthguards and Concussion Protocols: Coaching for Player Welfare

Player safety technology has arrived at every level of rugby. Here's what coaches need to know about smart mouthguards, concussion protocols, and training safely.

March 2026
|
Sportplan Coaching
Six Nations 2026: Tactical Trends Every Coach Can Steal

Six Nations 2026: Tactical Trends Every Coach Can Steal

From France's collision dominance to England's folding defence - what grassroots coaches can learn from the 2026 Six Nations.

February 2026
|
Sportplan Coaching
VIEW ALL COACHING TRENDS
Rugby POPULAR SEARCH TERMS
tacklefitnessunder 8passinglineoutruckingmaultag rugbydefencetackling7touchsevenstagwarm upjunior backline drillsrucklines of runningscrumtouch rugby

What our users have been saying...

Coaches from around the world look to Sportplan for coaching confidence.

Sportplan rugby has played a large role in my team's love for the game!

Heather Weston Rugby Coach, United States

I am so pleased with all of the drills and advice on rugby. I am a player for my local club and we don't have a coach at the moment so I, as a senior player, am filling that gap. With your help, the team has been able to improve our skills.

Mokie Tau Rugby Coach, Papua New Guinea

Your tips and session ideas have really brought some interest back to our rugby training. The players and I now really enjoy our training sessions.

Eifion Highes Rugby Coach, United Kingdom

Wow what a great website, I have found sportplan an important tool for me when planning my netball sessions with my netball team. There are alot of very helpful tips/ideas/skills that I can learn and teach to my team. Thank you sportplan I hope to continue to use your helpful tips and to learn more about improving my teams netball skills. Thanks again....keep it up....

Monique New Zealand

I have been using Sportplan now for 3 years and can honestly say that I have never repeated the same session twice. My girls are always focused and are improving every year. Thanks Sportplan.

Debbie Cross Australia

What a fantastic tool. The Chalkboard and session tools make an unbelievable difference in making training plans in both time and organization. I will be instructing all of my assistant coaches that this tool must be used for all sessions during the season, so that we may build a club coaching resource library.

Wes Campbell Rugby Coach Canada

I can't get enough of the Sportplan, It has given me back the enthusiasm i was starting to lose. My girls are so keen and are ready at 14 to take the next up in their game. Sportplan will help no end.

Cornel Basketball Coach, South Africa

SIGN UP NOW FOR FREE

  • search our library of 1100+ rugby drills
  • create professional rugby coaching plans
  • or access our tried and tested rugby plans

Sportplan App

Give it a try - it's better in the app

SPORTPLAN USES COOKIES

Sportspeople like cookies too! By continuing to browse, you are agreeing to our use of cookies. More info

Privacy Policy
We are committed to privacy and support current industry initiatives to preserve individual privacy rights on the Internet. Protecting your privacy on-line is an evolving area and this website will constantly evolve to meet these demands.


Cookies
Some of our web pages utilise "cookies". A "cookie" is a small text file that may be used, forexample, to collect information about web site activity. Some cookies and other technologies may serve to recallPersonal Information previously indicated by a web user. Most browsers allow you to control cookies, includingwhether or not to accept them and how to remove them.

Some cookies are necessary for the operation of our website, if you choose to block them some aspects of the site may not work for you. Non necessary cookies are only set when you have given your explicit consent to their use. Such cookies included those set by our statistics package Google Analytics.

We use cookies to personalise content and ads, to provide social media features and to analyse our traffic. We also share information about your use of our site with our social media, advertising and analytics partners who may combine it with other information that you've provided to them or that they've collected from your use of their services.

More info
Rugby POPULAR SEARCH TERMS
3 v 2 7 counter rucking defence defense fitness football forward drills junior  backline drills lesson plans line out lineout lineout drills lines of running maul passing ruck rucking rugby scrum scrum machine search sevens tackle tackling tag tag rugby touch under 8 warm up
YOUR SESSION IS STARTING SOON... Join the growing community of rugby coaches plus 1100+ drills and pro tools to make coaching easy.
LET'S DO IT