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try DRILLS
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1 vs 1 Ball Retention

The ball carrier walks up to the defender and turns away to present the ball to their own team. The defender should try to turn the ball carrier and keep him facing away from support.

Ball Presentation

Driving Maul

3 attackers against two defenders with contact pads. Ball carrier takes ball into contact turning before hitting pads and presenting the ball.Next two players bind on either side and drive the maul to the end of the grid to score.

Maul

Find the space

Players run in any direction in the grid trying to avoid contact by running into space. When the teacher calls stop, all players must be at least 1m from the next nearest player. Pass the ball around your back at the same time. Option: throw the ball in the air and catch as you run around

Handling

Individual Skills

Move the ball in a figure of 8 round your legs Pass the ball round your back. Who can pass the ball around their back 5 times the fastest ?. Throw the ball in the air and clap before you catch it. Who can make the highest number of claps ?

Handling

Introduction to ruck

In small teams, play a modified game where if the ball carrier is touched on the shorts with both hands of a defender, the ball carrier must go to ground and present the ball to a support player who passes the ball from the ground unopposed Change possession once a try has been scored.

Ruck

Kick Tennis - Moving net

Split the group into three teams. One team starts in the middle of the grid along the line. The idea of the game is to kick the ball over the middle team and try to land the ball in the oppositions area. If the ball is caught then no points are scored, if the ball bounces in the oppositions area then 1 point is scored. If one of the players in the middle catches the ball (they gain 1 point) then they swap positions with the team that kicked the ball.

Kicking

Mini Game - Skills Game

In this game players try to keep possession and carry the ball over their opponent's line to score a try.

Handling

Mini Ruck

Groups of five Three attackers try and score against one defender If touched must ruck

Ruck

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

Tag Maul Game

Groups of 10. 5 v 5 Match. Players start the game and after each touch the touched player must simulate a MAUL by turning and setting up the ball. Allow 1 player to drive in on the ball.

Maul

Score a Try Tag Rugby - Rugby ...

Grids 10m x 10m. 1 Ball per group. Groups of 5 Players take it in turns to be the defender in the middle (4 tackles then change). The attackers take turns to try and run past the defender and score a try. 1 tag - Defender scores 1 point. Score a try - attacker scores 1 point. If tagged the attacker returns to the start and the next player goes.

General

Off-Loading Box Sevens - Rugby...

Tell your players the following...... The defender must make a tackle. The primary ball carrier must take the ball into contact and try to off-load the ball. The support player should take the ball and score a try. The players rotate rolls following each contact.

General

Attacking Overload - Exploit T...

The drill starts with two teams of equal players playing a standard game of touch. Whenever a touch is made, the defender immediately joins the attacking side and acts as scrum half. This creates an attacking overload. Players must try to score a try by exploiting the overload in the least amount of touches. The drill resets after a try is scored.

General

Landing in a tackle. Tackling ...

Correct way of going down with the ball in a tackle. Person being tackled should 'twist' their body so that they land on their back.

General

4 vs 1 Tag rugby - Rugby Leagu...

Groups of 5 Combine grids to make 2 channels each 10m x 20m 1 Ball per group Ball carrier tries to score a try by running past the defender. Support players follow the ball carrier. If tagged, the ball carrier must pass the to one of his / her support players. The defender must GIVE the tag back before trying to make a second tackle.

General

Keep Ball Tag Rugby - Rugby Dr...

Players work in groups of 5 in a grid 10m x 10m, with 1 Ball per group. 4 Players work as a team to make 10 passes. The defender tries to tag a player who is holding the ball. Either rotate the defenders or if caught and then the tagged player becomes the next defender.

General

Drop Out Touch Warm Up - Rugby...

Two teamsAttacking and defensive focusNormal game of touch rugby, however whenever the defender touches an attacker, they must run back to their own try line and stay out the game until the play breaks downAttacking team look to identify the space created from defensive drop outWorking on defensive communication and work rate

General

One on One Race Sevens - Rugby...

Tell the players: The player in possession of the ball when the coach blows their whistle has to run around the cone at the end of the grid to try and run the full length of the grid to score a try. The player from the opposition in line with the player that is running can try to stop the player scoring by running around the cone and tagging the runner before they reach the line. For tag rugby players, provide all players with tags. In other variations decide on touch or contact, depending on how warm the players are - and your training goals. Provide coaching on the go with encouraging feedback.

General

Offloading Technique Off Loads...

Ball Groups of 3+ 2 attackers line up opposite a defender.The defender makes a low leg tackle on the atttacker. The attacker being tackled tries to get arms free and perfom an offload to the supporting runner.

General

5 vs 5 Tag Rugby - Rugby Drill...

Pitch 20m x 20m. All players wearing tag belts Start the game with a free pass, defenders must be 7m back at the start Attacking players must try to run past the defenders to score a try. If tagged, the attacker must pass the ball backwards to a team-mate. After a tackle, the defenders must give the tag belt back, stay on their own side of the ball and NOT intercept or obstruct the pass.

General

Rugby Netball Warm Up - Rugby ...

Break your players into two teams. One team goes to attack, and one to defence. There is no kicking in this game. Normal laws of rugby do not apply e.g. the ball can be passed in any direction. The ball is passed from player to player, but once the ball is caught - the ball carrier must stop moving. They can move only to pass the ball to another player. The defenders can close down attackers, working to remove attacking options. Defenders can intercept the ball, but must leave the ball carrier alone once the ball is cause. They can apply pressure on the pass, similar to the pressure that a bastleball player might apply (but consider using this as a progression). Tries can be scored by attackers who catch the ball inside the oppositions in goal area. Dropped balls result in a turn over.

General

2v2 track and tackle Tackling ...

10m wide channel, 2 attackers start with the ball while 2 defenders atart at the other end.when instructed the attackers attempt to score agaisnt them.Defenders must work together to try stop them.Attackers can throw dummies and switches.Do continuous reps.

General

Game To Coach Depth Sevens - R...

Four attackers, two defenders in quite a small playing area - trying to find space.The aim is for each team of four to try to score as many 'tries' as they can consecutively. Failure to score means the team of four changes over to the next team.Touch rugby game play.Attacking four players are aiming to touch the ball down on an end line.Defenders are aiming to touch the attackers.

General

10 Pass game Warm Up - Rugby D...

2 teams  Bibs  Balls  One team must try and complete 10 passes in a small grid.  When the player has the ball in his hand he cannot move, the other team must try to intercept the ball to stop them completing 10 passes.  Defending team must stand 1 metre away from ball carrier. If the ball is dropped or intercepted its a turn over.  If a team knock the ball down its a knock on and the same attacking team keep the ball. 

General

Star Wars Passing - Rugby Dril...

The rest of the players are told to stand at one end of the field (they are the Space Pirates). The space police want to try and blow up the space pirates ship as they pass using their space bombs (I know - lots of childish terms there - but adjust the terminology to suit your players - they will enjoy it). Explain to the space police that they are to attempt to pass the ball at the space pirates and attempt to hit them below the shoulders. It won't be a completed pass as the pirates are just trying to avoid getting hit. The space police can move sideways along the edge of space, however, cannot move forward into space. (Police can only enter the space zone and get balls but cannot shoot until they are outside the rectangle). The space pirates can attack when they like, and if hit they can be out - or have more than one life. When an space pirate makes it through space successfully, with out being directly hit by a pass, they wait at the other end till all the other prates make it. You can change the police and pirates around or.... Note: Some younger players will love this game, and some may not! So think carefully about having different groupings that take into account players passing ability (in terms of speed), and if you have a group of players that might not like this game - have them attend a special pass development clinic with another coach.

General

Channel Ball Tackling - Rugby ...

This game is designed to teach the players about retiring to an onside position when a tackle is made. Set-up a field approximately 10m wide and 15 m long. Place all the rugby balls at one end. Split the players into 2 teams and send them to opposite ends of the field. The attackers are the players with the ball and the defenders without. Explain to the players with the ball and defenders without. Explain to the players that the attackers are to try and get the ball to the defenders line to score a try. The defenders are to try and stop them. After a successful tackle both the defender and the attacker must return to their line by running out and around the corner marker. To begin with few attackers will get the ball over the line, however, as the players start to rounding the markers - more space opens up and defenders become less organized.

General

1 vs 1 race Warm up - Rugby Le...

two lines of players opposite each other in 2 lines. one of the teams has the ball and has to pass the ball along each player in the line. The player in possession of the ball when the coach calls out go has to run around the cone at the end of the grid to try and run the full length of the grid to score a try. The player from the opposition in line with the player that is running can try to stop the player scoring by running around the cone and tagging the runner before they reach the line.

General

Support Gauntlet Decision maki...

Drill to practice decision making.Set up a grid 10m wide and 35m long with cones at the start (yellow), 5m (orange), 15m (blue), 30m (red) and 35m (green).Have 2 defenders with pads at 5m, one defender at 15m, one defender at 30m and one 'full back' defender behind the try line.3 attackers start with the ball at the start line (yellow). The ball carrier attempts to break through the two padmen at 5m (orange) who can only move laterally. The ball carrier should try and offload once through the padmen.Once the attack beat the padmen D1 (blue) can cover across to defend, but he can only move laterally between the cones. The attack pass the ball to a support player to beat the defender.Once D1 is beaten D2 may cover across to defend, but can only move laterally between the red cones. The attack pass the ball to a support player to beat the defender.Once D2 is beaten D3 can come forward to defend and pressure the attack to try to stop the attack from scoring. D3 cannot leave his line until the attack have made a pass to beat D2.Defensive players sprint outside the grid to the try line once they have been beaten.The defender should commit to tackle one attacker. PROGRESSION:Start with defenders making a two-handed touch and then progress to D1, D2, and D3 making a full tackleD3 tries to stop the attack scoring a try by "holding up" the ball carrier

General

Touch The Runner Sevens - Rugb...

Put a group of 7 inside inside one of your grids. Tell them the following laws: The player not wearing a bib (the runner) is trying stay away from the ball - because if you touch that player with the ball they have to do 10 press-ups etc. (amend depending of players age etc.). Give one of the 3 man teams the ball; the hunters, it's their job to pass the ball to each other hunting the runner, trying to touch the runner with the ball. The other team of three is there to try and intercept the ball as it is passed between the hunters (they are interceptors). Ball carriers can run with the ball. The ball cannot be thrown at the runner. Passes can be in any direction. If the ball is intercepted by the other team, they now hunt the runner and the opposing team has to try and intercept the ball to get it back. Don't forget to change the runner by swapping them with a member of of the two teams in the grid. If a team has been good at keeping the ball, swap the ball over when you feel the time is right. If the ball is dropped or a pass goes outside the grid, it's turned over to the other team who then become the hunters. The team trying to intercept cannot push or have any contact with the hunters (ball carriers). <em>Law Change:</em> After a little time you can change the law to: the ball carrier cannot move with the ball or the ball carrier only take 2/3 steps upon catching the ball.

General

2 vs 2 (in - out line) Decisio...

In a channel no wider than 10m, two 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

Mini Ruck Ruck - Rugby Drills,...

Groups of fiveThree attackers try and score against one defenderIf touched must ruck

General

Multi Support Touch Tag Rugby ...

Once the coach has kicked the ball in to start players play a normal rules game of touch rugby. The only difference is with the scoring: 1 point for a try - plus 1 x bonus point for an offload within 10 metres and 2 x bonus points for offload with 5 metres of the try line. If no passes within 15 metres of the try line then the score does not count.

General

Realign To Attack A Broken Def...

Three attacker start on their fronts with three defenders lying opposite them. On go the attackers backtrack and realign into an attacking line. Two defenders come up to defender with one handing back. The attackers try and beat the first two defenders and then try to beat the final defender at the back.<br><br>

General

Mini-Goal Game Kicking - Rugby...

Game to practice controlling the ball.Set up two goals (roughly 2m wide) opposite each other about 5m away (red cones - see digram).Each player has to defend their goal while the other player tries to score by grubber kicking the ball through the goal. The player in goal tries to gather the ball, and then kick it back to try and score.PROGRESSIONS:Pass the ball instead of grubber kicking it. Make the passes low and difficult to catchMake the goals wider so there is more space to defendThe player in goal should face away from the player with the ball, when the player with the ball shouts the goal-keeper must turn around and try to defend their goal.

General

try DRILL CATEGORIES
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Decision making Drills
Kicking Drills
Decision making Drills
Kicking Drills
try SESSIONS
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Developing offloading and 2nd wave defence

Here's a bumper session that covers two crucial elements of the game - it's not one to be missed. Click through below and try it with your squad tonight

Using the Overlap

Make sure your players support their team-mates with this session, by using the overlap in attack

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.

Tackling Success - 1 to 1 and Double Tackling

Focus on technique to ensure your players tackle safely and powerfully, as well as looking at the progression from a 1-to-1 'fit' tackle to a positive double tackle

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!

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...

Handling and Passing - working under pressure

Fast hands and a cool head will be needed in this physically testing pressure passing session - are your players up to the challenge?

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 fluid passing and movement skills to beat the defence

A session for beginners, work on their basics to develop the correct technique so that when it comes to game play, your beginners will soon look composed and confident in attack.

Defensive Principal: Competing Jackal!

Develop some tactical awareness and get your players recognising the value of slowing down the game with a jackal.

2v1 Attacking Skills Session

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

Sevens - Options in the Attack

3 simple options to improve your players' decision-making in the attack and get them past opponents gain line!

Sevens Rugby: Attacking the Space - Pass, Follow and Support

Get your players to use the width of the pitch and play intelligently, offering wide support options in this sevens rugby session.

Tag Rugby: Learning to Evade Contact through Tag Games

Improve your junior players' attacking footwork with this fun and simple to set-up evasion games session

Scrum / Lineouts for beginners

Keep your players safe! Review the basics, coach the key points of these two important skills and give players plenty of time to learn and improve

Continuity Play - Passing your way out of the tackle

Help your side avoid the breakdown by focusing on their continuity skills - keeping the ball moving and starting to work on contact!
try ANSWERS
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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

Players keep spilling the ball...

Players keep spilling the ball in the tackle, any drills for protecting the ball? Have tried the usual falling drills and tackling drills but in games the ball keeps being spilled forward in contact.

Archived User Coach

I coach Under 11's I have two players that do all the right things in training but when the game starts they will not pass. They do score tries but I think we could score more if they passed. What can I do? Gary SWales

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

Gary Grant Coach, Wales

I need ideas for fun team building activities and any?

I need ideas for fun team building activities and any fun games to help towards team building. Has anyone got any ideas on what to do? Anything to spice up rugby training sessions in the dark, cold winter nights.

Archived User Coach

what are the rules of tag rugby?

what are the rules of tag rugby?

Chris Mason Coach, England

Law 12 - the forward pass or throw forward

The law says that a forward pass is one "thrown forward" "in the direction of the opponents' goal line" Does that mean that, if the ball is passed and the receiver catches it NEARER to the opponents goal line than from where the ball was passed that the pass was forward? (Leaving to one side any other touches of the ball that might have taken place.) Maybe an example is better. Player 1 passes the ball sideways - releasing it on the 22 metre line. Player 2 (with no other player having touched the ball), running from well behind the 22 metre line, catches the ball when it has travelled sideways but the ball is now 20 metres from the opponents goal line (2 metres further forward from the place that the ball was passed). Is that a forward pass or throw forward? And if not, why not?

Archived User Coach

Hi Guys Though we all fully enjoyed it, We have just?

Hi Guys Though we all fully enjoyed it, We have just lost a tournament - mainly because the forwards were not offloading in contact and were getting turned over. Does anyone have a forwards type game I can use with the boys to play instead of drills, to strengthen their skills in this area? The team is a under 12 group. And I have 14 forwards. Thanks for you help in advance. Cheers Iain

Iain Hughes Coach, England

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

Scoring tries - habit?

Why is it important to get players to score the try when completing a handling/running drill?

Archived User Coach

Looking for varations for touch rugby games.

Looking for varations for touch rugby games. Using as a bit of preseason want to freshen the game up.

Jack Redfern Coach, England

I am coaching the U11 this season. There are some significant?

U11 Rugby I am coaching the U11's this season. There are some significant rule changes from U10. Please can I get some advice on what lessons were learned from coaches who have been through a similar experience.

William OBrien Coach, England

Recruiting suggestions?

Hello, My name is Jonna Berry, we just started a women's team in Ames, IA. We just finished our first season with 9 players, we combined teams with another women's team to play in matches this fall. We are having difficulties recruiting members from the community. We have posted fliers around Ames and other towns. Any other suggestions? Any suggestions as to how to get people to take this team seriously? Thank you for your time.

Jonna Berry Coach, United States of America

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

how to keep a defensive line for u7+u8

i currently help out with the coaching of the u7+u8 tag rugby but we are struggling to keep a defensive line can have anybody got any drills

jason halse Coach, Wales

First time coaching the U13s next season - any tips greatly appreciated!

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

U10s organisation in defence. How to improve?

I have started an under 10s team up, and I would say about 8 from the 13 children I have , did not play rugby until about 6 months ago. Of these players, there seems to be a lot of potential, as we are scoring tries against teams, that very rarely concede tries.the problem I got with them, is that we are very poor at organising our selves in defense when the opposition has the ball, which does result in us conceding quite a few tries. We have some very good tacklers in the team. Can anyone offer some ideas on how I can get them to organise themselves? Thanks . Chris.

christopher jenkins Coach, Wales

What team receives the ball after a try has been scored

When a try has been scored and the play is brought back to the middle of the field is it the scoring team that kicks or is it the losers that kick?

Archived User Coach

Try Conversions training

What should I do to have a consistent kick for a try conversion?

Takayuki Matsuzaki Coach, Canada

Is there a U7s rugby union coa...

Is there a week by week coaching plan for the U7s? It’s my first time coaching and need some advice and plans. Where do I start? What do I do every week to get them ready for the season Asked using Sportplan on Mobile

Liz Coach, Australia

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