Rugby: Channel & Lane Running

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

• Set a cone 2 meters from the defensive line. This will mark where the ball will passed from (feed) preferably from a scrum half.
• Set a cone 0.5 meters each side from the mid point of the passing cone to simulate the sides of the ruck.
• Set a cone a cone 5 meters from the ruck on the defensive line. 
• 4 players start as attackers
• 3 defenders start on their stomaches on the other side of the defensive cone (ruck) and 1 player on the defensive cone 5 metres from the ruck
• The player on the 5 meter cone (defence) starts the drill by shouting ‘FOLD’ (or whatever call your team may use).
• Defenders on their stomachs get up and fold around the ruck to take up a defence position. Players fold wide first, and ensure that 2 players are close to the ruck (Guard and Body Guard).
• The player on the defensive cone bounces out (takes space in the defence line), the first player who folds takes up a position on the 5 meter defence cone (or inside the first attacking player)
• Once the defence line is set the scrum half can pass the ball.
• The attackers work to beat the defence, setting up a 'tip' (running a hard line) and 'pull back' option. They should read the defensive movements and make a decision to hit the tip option or pull out the back

• The aim of the drill is to develop mechanisms to unlock defences in open play
• The first defender/feeder starts with the ball at a cone set up on the touch line five metres out from the try line
• Set another 2 cones 15 meters up on the same touch line. Two players (defenders of the 3v2) start from here once the 2v1 is completed.
• Set 2 cones on the try line 5 metres apart to create the start position for the two attackers and the attacking channel for the 2v1
• The ball is fed from the first defender, with the attackers completing a 2v1
• The defender joins the two attackers to create a 3v2
• Two attackers then become the two defenders for the next repetition of the drill

Start with 2 players on the centre cone, each with a ball, and facing each other.

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

• 6x6m Grid 
• Ball 

• Players line up in 3s opposite sides of the grid. 
• Simply pass the ball along the line. 
• 1 defender is in the middle of the grid putting pressure on all ball carriers.
• Once hand completed the next line starts immediately. 
• Defender swaps out when there is a mistake or when he touches someone with the ball. 

• Progression: add another defender, make the passes wider.