Players keep spilling the ball in the tackle, any drills?

Simon JonesCoach, England

Mawgan If you look at the, free to register, IRB Rugby Ready website (find it through googling "Rugby Ready") there is a good section there on "Taking the ball into contact." I have also attached a simple drill to help players stop losing the ball in contact, which often happens at first! I hope this helps you and good luck with your coaching. Simon

2 x Hit then pass

DESCRIPTION

Set up the practice as shown inside a 30m x 30m Grid. 6 Shields and 1 Ball. Player 1 carries the ball before passing the ball to player 2 who bursts through the shields. Once through the other side, 2 passes to 3 and receives a return pass before bursting through the next set of shields Once they are through the last two players with shields can move and try and block the runners. Player 2 has the option to pass to either player or go it alone.

2 x Hit then pass

DESCRIPTION

Set up the practice as shown inside a 30m x 30m Grid. 6 Shields and 1 Ball. Player 1 carries the ball before passing the ball to player 2 who bursts through the shields. Once through the other side, 2 passes to 3 and receives a return pass before bursting through the next set of shields Once they are through the last two players with shields can move and try and block the runners. Player 2 has the option to pass to either player or go it alone.

Rugby CoachCoach

It's often good to work hard and often on getting the ball carriers to do these 4 phases; 1) Just before meeting the tackler/tackle shield depending on how you practice, the ball carrier steps hard to one side or the other (player decides), and put the ball under that arm (i.e step left = ball under left arm) so that the ball is well away from the defender. 2) On meeting the tackler, the ball carrier uses the other shoulder, and arm/elbow to try to bump the defender off balance. 3) As he is tackled, he goes to ground through thighs, hips, and side, so that the ball is away from the defender. 4) The ball carrier then plants and pushes the ball back, and at the same time raises and thrusts his/her hips back at the defender, so that the ball is more difficult for the tackler/jackal to reach. Do these 4 phases (both left and right) slowly (even walking) and with great care to detail, and hopefully it will soon become second nature for the players to avoid frontal confrontation, and thus enable them to protect the ball more. We did this every time we practised for a couple of months, and our small team became very good at keeping possession.