Rugby: Chasing The Pass

DESCRIPTION

Keep your player briefing short, and get the ball moving around the circle as quickly as possible.

• First have the players move the ball - clockwise around the circle, passing off their right hand.
• Then switch it, and have the ball move anti-clockwise around the circle, with the players passing off their left hand.
• Once the players have gotten into a rhythm of passing the ball, tell the players the following.

1. The player holding the ball will become a runner, their job is to pass the ball and then to set-off in the direction the ball will be traveling, trying to get to their starting position before the ball does.
2. They win if they make it back before the ball.
3. The players win if they can get the ball back before the runner.
4. The passers cannot miss-pass, the ball must travel through every set of hands.

• Each player in the group should have the chance to become a runner.
• Change the direction of the runner and the ball half way through.
• You might decide that the runner has to do a press-up or two, if they don't make it back ahead of the ball.
• And you may also decide that all the other players need to do the same if they do not get the ball back before the runner.
• You can further develop this game by making the circle bigger. This will push the runner and will increase the length of the pass required between each player. Just ask all of the players to take one or two steps back.

COACHING POINTS

Don't feel that you have to focus on all of the following coaching points, you may have your own. Select the points that most closely match your overall training and session goals.

• Keep the tempo of this exercise high.
• Good communication is vital to define roles, position, expectations, direction of the pass, the type of the pass, the timing of the pass etc.
• Communication should be efficient, effective, and encouraging.
• Mistakes will happen, while we work to minimize mistakes - don't let the players focus on them to the detriment of progression! If you do your players may well magnify their own mistakes. What's important is the next pass, the next catch! You as a coach have to give the players the freedom to make mistakes, you also have the responsibility for helping players adjust their passing style and decision making etc. to minimize the possibility that the pass will not go astray. Welcome to the world of coaching, if they get it right then they are the heroes. If it goes wrong, it's your fault! That's ok, it's part of the job.
• Passes need to be weighted correctly in terms of speed, distance, and accuracy.
• Players use quick hands to move the ball around the circle.
• Players do not spin the ball when there is no need.
• Ball receivers have their hands out.
• The runner cannot intentionally provide a poor first pass in order to provide them with a head start.
• Players use soft hands to move the ball quickly. Passing/guiding, not firing the ball.
• It is only a good pass when it has been completed, and it is only a completed pass when the receiver catches the ball.
• The ball should be caught in both hands, at a position that is best suited to move the ball on quickly.
• Set targets for your payers, but make sure that targets can be achieved.
• It is vitally important that players experience success and feel a sense of achievement at every session.
• Have fun, it's a game!

PROGRESSION

You can further develop this game by making the circle bigger. This will push the runner and will increase the length of the pass required between each player. Just ask all of the players to take one or two steps back.