Rugby: Whole Group Handling

Early catch, look, perfect pass. Improve your players' passing precision and speed to play with a free flowing attack.

• 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

One player throws the ball in to 5 players standing side by side. One player to stand in the scrum half position so as to be ready to receive a pass.

Pupils should :-

• Keep your player briefing, brief!
• Tell your players the folloiwng.........
  1. Players should be moving, staying around 5 meters part - running with the ball and attacking space.
  2. Players make 10 passes and then:
  3. Make figure 8 between legs.
  4. Partner does the same after another 10 passes.
  5. 10 passes then throw ball up and make a 360 degree turn to catch it before it hits the floor.
  6. 10 passes then throw ball overhead and catch it behind back.
• You might consider asking players to pass the ball with just one hand, off their hip

Players line up together along the line of the 1st set of cones.

On the signal of the coach all the players advance to the 3rd set of cones (20 meters away), making sure they all keep together in a straight line.

The players then retreat 10 meters to the 2nd set of cones, making sure they stay in line.

From the 2nd set of cones the players then advance a further 20 metres to the 4th set of cones and then retreat 10 meters back, to the previous set of cones.