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timing 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

Dizzy

There will be one ball carrier at any one time. They will run around the circle, passing the ball. The ball must be handled by all players, so players work to identify themselves as needing the ball. The ball cannot be passed to the person beside the carrier, but backwards passes are allowed. The coach can change the direction of the players running and ask them to do things e.g. touch the ground with your right hand, touch the ground with your left hand, jump up and clap etc.

Passing

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 circle

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.

Passing

Passing in Traffic

Tell the players the following...... Runners move forward towards the cone opposite to their location. There will be one ball carrier and one reciever in every set of runners, 3 sets of runners at any one time. The ball carrier must make a legal pass to the player approaching, avoiding traffic. That's it - lets get going.

Passing

Pop and Pass

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.

Passing

Pop, roll, down, up and gut

Tell your players the following...... The ball carrier will run/carry the ball directly across the grid, offloading it to the player opposite. The offload will be different, depending on the coaches call - so you need to listen. There will be traffic in the center of the grid, so avoid it. Ok - lets get moving, the first call is to pop to the receiver - the pop should be legal! Calls include: POP THE BALL, ROLL THE BALL, SET IT DOWN, THROW IT UP, GUT PASS (not too hard).

Passing

Pressure Cooker

4 players stand on the middle cones in the grid, avoiding the corner cones. The 2 players at the top and the bottom of the grid will have a ball. The players on the sides of the grid will have one ball between them. The 5th player will be the ball carrier. The ball carrier starts at the top of the grid facing the bottom. Moving forward they will take a pass off one of the middle players and pass the ball onto the other middle player. They will then collect a pass off the player in front of them, before popping the ball back to them. They will then turn and once again collect a pass off one of the middle players before moving it on to the other middle player. They then take a pass off the top player before popping it back and starting the exercise again. They keep going until told to switch with another player. The player in the middle can turn and flick the ball to the static players at the top and bottom of the grid, as well as popping the ball.

Passing

Simple Passing Exercise

Tell your players the follow..... The first two players at each coach will advance, attacking the cone to their left, in the middle of the training area. The players should split as they run, increasing the distance between them. When they get as far as the middle cone, they should then pass. The reciever then passes to the first reciever on the cone they are approaching.

Passing

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

3 Times A Charm Sevens - Rugby...

Tell your players the following...... On the 4 players side, they will go 2 at a time in attack - the balls should be with these players. They will advance around the lower part of the training area. On the 6 players side, they will go 3 at a time in order to provide 3 defenders, one will advance to the 7 meter marker, the second will go to the 14 meter marker, and the last will stay at the back of the grid. They will advance around the top part of the training area. The attacking players will now face three 2 v 1 situations. Once the attack finishes the two attacking players return to their starting position, the next two attackers go. At the same time the next three defenders go, while the last three defenders return to their starting position. Don't forget to give every player a chance in attack and defence.

General

Attack/Defend Big Time Sevens ...

Tell your players the following...... Players will standing at the midway point of the playing area, about 25 meters in. Tell each team which direction they are playing. Set the ball on the ground in front of the players. If you call 1 then team one is in attack and they should pick the ball up, if you should 2 then team 2 is in attack and they should pick the ball up. The non attacking team is in defence. Normal rules of sevens apply. However, before each team can start their attack/defence, they must all run to their own try line and back. When the attack is over, all players return to the midway point to start again. That's it, lets play! Make sure that you give both teams a chance to attack and defend.

General

Building the Ruck - One Step A...

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

Miss Me Baby, One More Time! P...

We will begin with laterial passing down the line, just to get going. On your call we will start to miss the player in the middle, and pass to the next player instead (a miss-pass). The player who is being missed should still come forward at speed and should still look as if they are going to take a ball. When finished the players rejoin the back of the lines on the grid, but they move down one. So the first ball carrier now becomes the player to be missed, the missed player now becomes the reciever, and the reciever now moves to the first position to carry the ball. Simple - lets get moving.

General

Target 3:15 Warm Up - Rugby Dr...

Tell the players that they have to run and hit every line on the pitch, but before proceeding to the next line they need to return to and touch the try line. For example a player would run to the 5 meter line and back to the try line, then to the 22 and back and so on. The players should aim for a target time to complete the exercise e.g. 3 minutes 15 seconds, but you should change this to suit your players fitness levels. Time your players and record their times, use the recorded times as time to beat when you next use this exercise.

General

Building Speed Onto The Ball S...

The speed of the pass should be reasonable and provide the interceptors with a chance of success. Tell the players the following.... The rest of the players will start one cone back from the passers, each standing one behind the other. The first player will go, aiming to intercept the flat pass. Then the next, until all players have intercepted the pass. They then move another cone back - to do the same. They keep moving back until they don't have enough speed to get onto the ball. Don't forget to give the passers a chance, they could be injured players who you might want to keep busy with simple passing.

General

Speed, timing of run and talki...

Split your players into two teams and line them up behind four cones. The side with the ball sends out two players in a 2v1. The opposite side must communicate so that only one player runs out to defend against the 2 attackers. Defenders must talk to decide who is going out to defend. If two defenders run out to defend then all players on that team must perform 10 press ups to reinforce the importance of communication in defense.

General

Rucking Ruck - Rugby Drills, R...

Groups of 4 and two groups of defenders with contact pads. 1 ball per group. The ball carrier drives into the contact pads and presents ball backwards. Player 2 binds on, face to face and secures ball, player 3 binds on the other side to form a front row. All attackers bind together and drive defenders back 2-3 metres. Player 4 takes ball out at back and runs back around cone with players 1-3 in support. Repeat going back the other way until all attackers have practised each role.

General

1st man at the ruck Ruck Clear...

Ball.Groups of 3+2 attackers line up infront of a defender. The 1st attackers takes the ball into contact The defender makes a low chop tackle.The 2nd attacker resposibility is to clear away the tackler from the contact area and look after the ball.Progression : Add second defedner with a tack;e nag to test the stability of the clearer.

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

STATIC 1 Backs Moves - Rugby D...

See the diagram for suggested starting positions. 10 and 12 remain static, the other players are in motion, offering options. 10 and 12 invite the defence to press up at speed. 10 passes to 12. 11 cuts in on 12's shoulder. 12 passes to 11. 15 and 13 provide alternative options.

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

STATIC 3 Backs Moves - Rugby D...

See the diagram for suggested starting positions. 10, 12, 13, will be starting very flat with minimal movement. 11 will provide a decoy or cancel option. 15 will hit in and up on 13's outside shoulder. 14 will provide support to 15, cutting in and then up. 10 passes to 12. 12 passes to 13. 15 takes an outside pop at speed.

General

Passing in Traffic Passing - R...

Tell the players the following...... Runners move forward towards the cone opposite to their location. There will be one ball carrier and one reciever in every set of runners, 3 sets of runners at any one time. The ball carrier must make a legal pass to the player approaching, avoiding traffic. That's it - lets get going.

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

3 on 3 engagement procedure. S...

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

General

PRO 2 Backs Moves - Rugby Dril...

10 moves forward carrying the ball. 12 moves forward and in. 11 loops around the back of 12. 10 passes to 12. 12 moves forward, and passes to 11. 13/14 provide support and additional passing options.

General

Quick Passing To Space Passing...

Give each training area one ball and tell the players the following...... One of the attacking lines takes the ball. They simply attack, moving the ball through the hands - lateral passing only. The defenders (there will be three), mark the first three attacks, they leave the forth free. Defenders can move up and down, left and right, but must leave channel 4 open. Defender start 10 meters back. The ball must go through all four attacking hands. Don't forget to switch the attackers and defenders.

General

timing DRILL CATEGORIES
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Tackling Drills
Tackling Drills
timing 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.

Lineout Logistics

Don't get pipped to the pass - teach your players to jump and lift safely to help them become masters of the lineout!

Developing a successful offload under pressure

Don’t stop gaining the yards once over the gain line, keep the ball alive and offer the support to create offloads to eliminate the defence.

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.

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!

Mismatch Gold - Making the most of the numbers

Create space by shifting the focus of your attack and practice exploiting the mismatch with this Sevens Session
timing ANSWERS
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how do i coach the miss pass

Ask a question and have it answered by Coaches from around the world and Sportplan's team of Expert how do i coach the miss pass

Archived User Coach

Does anyone have drills for Line Outs at U12?

Does anyone have drills for Line Outs at U12?

Archived User Coach

where can I get an under 8 year program of training?

where can I get an under 8 year program of training or activities to introduce them to the game of Rugby?

Archived User Coach

Likely outcome of scrum fed from the tighthead side?

What would be the likely outcome of a scrum fed from the thrower's tighthead side? Who would more likely win possession and what quality of possession could be expected? What if the law was that most scrums were required to be fed from the thrower's tighthead with the non offender determining who was to feed? The remainder, such as penalty scrums, would stay as is. Could this encourage a more constructive approach to scrummaging?

Archived User Coach

Where can i find a detail description of the abillities?

Where can i find a detail description of the abillities and duties for the different positions in the backline?

Archived User Coach

Flanker protecting the Scrum Half?How can a Flanker?

Flanker protecting the Scrum Half? How can a Flanker protect the Scrum-Half at a scrum without holding on to the oppositions Scrum Half? Also any advice for an Openside flanker on tackling the fly-half from scrums?

Archived User Coach

My son has played all season U9's on the wing and has?

My son has played all season U9's on the wing and has now be brought into a inside centre role. What are the key differences he needs to make to be successful in his new position

Archived User Coach

What's the best to get my team to hit the gain line?

What's the best to get my team to hit the gain line at full pace? It is a huge problem to get it into there noggin's

Archived User Coach

South Africa

How can we improve on our lineout throw so that the hooker and the jumper get their timing right

Archived User Coach

U10 contested line-outs - can the jumpers move?

We've just started U10 contested line-outs - can the jumpers move before the ball is thrown (between 2 and 7m obviously)? Continuum doesn't mention not moving but one of our coaches insists they should be static.

Archived User Coach

scrum wheeling

I am coaching a high level team. I would like to hear what opinions people have as far as the ideal time to initiate a small offensive wheel, which of course we would never do because it would violate laws. At the put in? When it is at the 8s feet?

Archived User Coach

how do you become better at running lines and angles?

how do you become better at running lines and angles when attacking with the ball in rugby

Archived User Coach

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

Ask a question and have it answered by Coaches from?

Hi guys I’m helping coaching the local rugby union team and I’m receiving a mixed opinions  from the coaches about the pre-game warm-up. Any suggestions? Thanks

aaron zaky-mcenroe Coach, Australia

Backs move from restart scrum?

Has anyone got a good backs move from scrum at halfway after failed restart.

Warren Galbraith Coach, Switzerland

forwards play

how do u play a smaller pack against bigger opposition? especially at scrum time. Thanks

Marius Coach, South Africa

First time coaching the U13s n...

I have just started helping our head coach with under12's team. He wants to retire and has put me forward to be head coach next season. I am a little worried on how i should aproach training with the boys, going to a full 15 a side team on a full pitch. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

Archived User Coach

First time coaching girls rugb...

I have taken over under 16's girls rugby, I am the coach of the 15's and 7's team any tips or pointers?

Peter Garlando Coach, Canada

First time coaching a rugby u1...

It's my first time coaching a rugby team is there any tips and information of your experience in coaching ???

David Mitchell Coach, New Zealand

what is the law in lineout and...

what is the law in lineout and scrum time for u12's rugby

Archived User Coach

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