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Rugby: 3 v 1

3 v 1 DRILLS
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3 v 1 Grid

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.

Catching

Team of 5 v 1 v 3 v 1

Change the shape of the defenders. Instead of a single line, one behind the other, try 1 then 3 then 1 or 1 2 2.

Tag Rugby

The Trinity

The exercise starts with the first attacking unit running around the bottom of the grid, as they do the first defending unit run around the top of the grid. The first defender run up to defend in line with the first cone, the second defender in line with the middle cone, and the last defender is at the end of the grid. Therefore the attack will aim to beat the 3 defenders, in three 3 v 1 situations. When the attack finishes, they pass the ball to the next attacking unit, and the exercise starts again with the new attacking and defending unit. The last two attacking and defending units, switch sides returning to starting positions, ready to go again.

Sevens

3 v 1 Grid Passing - Rugby Dri...

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.

General

3 v 2 into 2 v 1 Passing - Rug...

Drill to practice overlap situations.Set up a grid roughly 10m x 10m, with another grid roughly 5m x 5m adjacent to it (see diagram - red cones and green cones).In the bigger grid have two defenders (red) and in the smaller grid have one defender (red).Three attackers (blue) attack the 2 defenders in the first grid. Once they have completed the 3 v 2 situation the player with the ball and one other support player run around the cone and attack the one defender in the smaller grid.Swap the attack and defence after 3-5 repetitions. PROGRESSION:The ball starts on the opposite side to practice passing in both directions.A coach/other player feeds the ball to the three attackers so the drill can start in any position. The coach/other player can kick or roll the ball to the attack to start the drill.

General

Team of 5 v 1 v 3 v 1 Tag Rugb...

Change the shape of the defenders. Instead of a single line, one behind the other, try 1 then 3 then 1 or 1 2 2.

General

2 v 1 Passing - Rugby Drills, ...

This is a simple 2 v 1. The two players have to get past the one defender without being touched, that's it. The defender will start 10 meters back, and can move anywhere inside the box. The attack must remain inside the box and all pass msut be legal. Don't forget to change the defender.

General

2 v 1 into 3 v 2 Decision maki...

Drill to improve short space and wide space overlap play.Set up a grid 15m wide, split into a 5m channel and a 10m channel, and 10m long (see diagram).4 attackers (red) line up along one side, A1 and A2 within the 5m channel opposite D1(blue). A3 and A4 line up in the 10m channel opposite D2 and D3.A1 and A2 run a 2v1 against D1 in the 5m channel. When A2 receives the ball they run out of the 5m channel into the 10m channel and into a 3v2 situation linking with A3 and A4 attacking D2 and D3.D2 and D3 can't move until A2 enters the 10m channel, and to start with can only move laterally along the try line.DISCUSSION:If players are struggling to execute the 3 v 2 situation, widen the 10m channel to 15m and once they have success at this width bring the channel back to 10m wide.PROGRESSION:D2 and D3 can move off the line to put pressure on the attack once A2 enters the 10m channel.

General

2 v 1 Around The Corner Decisi...

• The aim of the drill is to develop handling in a short space.

General

3 v 2 Fixing Defenders Passing...

This is a backs moves passing exercise, aimed at drawing and fixing up a defender, to give a supporting teammate more space and take the defender out of the play3 attackers line up along one side of the area, 2 defenders stand next to each other on the short side next to the coachOn GO, the defenders run into position and the coach passes to the first attackerThe attacker runs with the ball towards the first defender before passing sideways to their teammateThat player then runs at the second defender and before contact passes across to the spare attacker to run to the other end of the area.

General

2 v 1 Drawing The Defender Dec...

One attacking team and one defending team.Exercise focused on decision making when in a 2 v 1 situation.Each team lines up either side of the coachOn 'GO' two attackers run round one side of the playing area and one defender runs round the other side. The coach passes to one of the attackers to initiate play.The aim is for the one attacker to reach the end line of the defender's side without being tackled/intercepted by the defender.

General

2v1 around the coach Handling ...

Coach starts with the ball and can throw the ball to either one of the outside players of the 3 players ready to play.The player in the middle always joins the player receiving the ball to play a 2v1 against the the 3rd player who becomes the defender.The attacking players run around the cone nearest to them and the defender runs in the opposite direction. When they meet inside the grid the attacking players must use the extra man to get around the defender - either by passing or taking the man on. Progression: 3v2, 4v3.

General

Lesson 4 Layout Tag Rugby - Sp...

General

7 v 3 Decision making - Rugby ...

Groups of tenOne ball per groupDefenders equidistant, can only move forwards and backwardsAttackers bunched to startOnce at the end turn straight around and repeat

General

Team of 5 v 1 v 1 v 1 v 1 v 1 ...

2 x 20m x 10m Channels 5 Defenders in each channel, spaced 5m apar The attacking team of 5 players must beat each defender in turn by running or passing and score a try once all 5 defenders have been beaten. Defenders are only allowed to move sideways.

General

Join the attack: 2v1 - 3v2 - 5...

With a group of nine, tell two of them they are attackers - for now. The rest will be in defence. Allocate your defenders within the grid, one defender at defenders cone 1, two defenders at defenders cone 2, and three defenders at defenders cone 3. Tell the defenders that they can move side to side, but not forward and back. Also - tell the players on defenders cones 1 and 2, that they will join the attack when they have finished their defensive duties. So after the first 2 v 1, the 1 defender joins the attack to make the next attack 3 v 2, when this attack is over - the two defenders join the attack to make the last attack 5 v 4. Have your demonstration group quickly complete a walk through, then a run through. Now get the other groups working. Don't forget to give the last four defenders a chance in attack.

General

4 vs 1 vs 1 Decision making - ...

Players work in groups of six, with 1 ball per group and set up in the following way: 4 attackers vs 1 defender (between the first cones) and another defender between the second set of cones. Defenders can only move sideways in an attempt to stop the attackers getting through the area.

General

Rugby: 2 vs 1 - Decision Makin...

Four players per group inside a 10m x 30m Channel. Requires 10 cones and 1 ball. Two players start outside of the grid with two players inside. One of the outside players passes the ball to one of the inside players before both of the outside players (defenders) run through the red gates. The two inside players (attackers) have to try and cross the try line before the defenders can tackle them, if the attackers are too slow they will create a two 2 v 1 situation.

General

Game - 6 vs 4 Tag Rugby - Spor...

Pitch is 20m x 20m. All players wearing Tag BeltsStart the game with a free pass, defenders must start behind the half way lineAttacking players must try to run past defenders to score a try. If tagged, the attacker must pass the ball to a team mate. After a tackle, the defenders must give the tag back, stay on their own side of the ball and NOT intercept or obstruct the pass.

General

3 v 2 v 2 Handling - Rugby Dri...

Set up a channel with two sets of defenders working in pairs inside. Three attacking players start with the ball and run around the far cone, realigning as they run around the cone. Players then play out the 3v2. After this first 3v2 the attackers must move the ball quickly and play out the second 3v2.

General

2 vs 1 Decision making - Rugby...

Coach starts with the ball and can throw the ball to either one of the outside players of the 3 players ready to play. The player in the middle always joins the player receiving the ball to play a 2v1 against the the 3rd player who becomes the defender. The attacking players run around the cone nearest to them and the defender runs in the opposite direction. When they meet inside the grid the attacking players must use the extra man to get around the defender - either by passing or taking the man on.  

General

3 vs 2 - Sprint to support Dec...

15m x 35m Grid. 1 Attacker starts on the half way line of the grid, with the other two outside of the grid back to back with two defenders. On the command the one attacker runs around the red cone, with the other one running around the blue cone - likewise for the defenders. Once they have run around the cones a 3 vs 2 will develop. If the player with the ball passes immediately this will give a 3 vs 2 in the middle of the pitch.

General

3 on 2 Attack and Defence Dril...

Set an area with two different coloured cones on the touch line in the middle, one for defenders and one for attackers. At the prompt of the coach the players run around designated cones and attack the defenders to score. Ball carrier should initiate the attack by attacking the inside shoulder of the first defender to stop a drift defence. Draw the first defender and make the pass to your next support runner who should do the same to pass to the outside runner who can go and score. Once attacked three or four times players should swap to defence but not every single time to create continuity and positive development.

General

2 vs 1 Gauntlet Decision makin...

Set up two 1m wide gates of cones (green and red) either side of a feeder, with a line of attackers opposite (5m away). Have a number of defenders (3) lined up behind the feeder.The first player passes the ball to the feeder then moves forward and receives a short return pass from the feeder. On receiving the return pass he uses footwork to go through one of the gates with a support player going through the other gate.Once through the gate the ball carrier puts in a fend on the first defender and passes the ball to his support player.They go on to attack the two other defenders and try execute 2 vs 1 scenarios to get to the end of the drill

General

Rugby: Speed pass challenge - ...

Groups of 8Ball Cones2 sets of 4 players line up back to back.Cones are places 3m apart and 3 in fornt of both set of players.When the coach says go the players must complete 4 passes before reaching the far cones. Then they must turn and do the same off coming back. (1 rep) Its a race agaisnt the opposing attackers to compelete the the reps given.

General

Race to cone - 3 v 2 Decision ...

One ball and 6 cones. 15m x 15m. Setup the practice as shown. The first two players run up to the half way line of the grid and place the ball down before continuing their run to the end of the grid before turning around to defend. The remaining 3 players (attackers) can go as soon as the ball is placed down and then they play a 3 v 2.

General

3 v 2 Positioning Decision mak...

The aim of the drill is to develop handling in a short space.

General

4v3-realign Tackling - Rugby D...

4 sausages 4 Bags The sausages and bags are lined up alternately in a line.8 defenders start lined up outside of the tackle grid.Whistle goes, the tacklers must shuffle across as a team (in a line) to line up opposite a bag or sausage before making a hit.

General

Tabata Touch Tag Rugby - Rugby...

You can play any version of touch you like, I'm going to suggest One Touch Off-Load - but you can change this to suit your training goals for the session ahead. Mark out your training area for the game, but include one or more Tabata training zones for your players (these zones don't have to be very big). If you only have one other person helping you - you might have only one zone, but if you have more assistant coaches or helpers standing around, create more zones - you'll find they will be used. Split your players into two teams, giving them bibs if needed. Keep your law briefing, brief - telling the players the laws of the version of touch you have decided to play. Tell them that as an addition to the normal laws, we now have a sin binning for mistakes e.g. you may decide that all mistakes are sent to the sin bin (The Tabata Zone), you might just focus on forward passes, or penalties. My point is that you can tailor this to suit your coaching goals. Players sent to the sin bin will be there unit sent back by the supervising coach. Don't forget to swap the defense and the attack. Also you can focus the sin binning on the defence for not meeting your defensive goals. Using the Tabata Zones Small areas with one coach/helper. The Tatbata protocol is often 8 periods of intense 20 second activity - with 10 seconds of rest in between (sound simple - try it!). Tell the sin binned player they have 20 seconds to complete as many press-ups as they can, then give them 10 seconds to rest. Repeat 8 times, or reduce to a number of repetitions that work for you and your players. When the player has completed their reps - return them to the game. What you could do in the zones: Press ups, Lunges, Burpees, Sit ups, Etc.

General

Rugby: 3v2 Passing Channel - S...

This is a 3 v 2 attack v defence situation where the attacking team must make passing decisions to get past the defenders and 'score a try'.Set out a playing area of about 10m x 5mThree attackers and two defenders line up next to the coach in the middle of the sideline of the areaOn GO, the players run round their ends of the area and the coach passes to one of the three attackers - the 3 v 2 is liveAttackers must try to get to the defenders' back line

General

3v2 multiple channel Handling ...

Cones Ball3 channels of different widths are lined up next to eachother3 attackers and 2 defender run around opposing cones before attacking each other. Defenders must put pressure on but be passive as will ruin the drill if they disrupt the play.Running around the corner will encourage the attackers to realign, and adapt to the different space requirements.

General

3 vs 2 - Support Running Match...

3 vs 2 in a grid. Defenders must stay in position to start. Once skills progress defenders can move to try and stop attackers either by intercepting the ball or touch tackling the ball carrier.

General

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3 v 1 ANSWERS
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what are simple drills for touch rugby...to get ready?

what are simple drills for touch rugby...to get ready for the season?

Archived User Coach

We have a new team forming, all of the fowards are novices except for two of us (Prop and Hooker) from a different team helping out. Any drilling advice woud be very appreciated

Ask a question and have it answered by Coaches from around the world and IRB Educators.

Tony Meza Coach, Costa Rica

what drills are there for a 3 v 2 situation?

what drills are there for a 3 v 2 situation?

Archived User Coach

Taking the ball into contact

Several of my players are taking the ball a yard too far into contact and losing possession as a result.Do you have any suggestions or drills that would help to address this? Dave Knights. Hong Kong

Archived User Coach

Does anyone have a really good drill to encourage backs to stay steep?

Does anyone have a really good drill to encourage backs to hold their steepness when attacking - my team of dreams are Under 11's

Archived User Coach

I am looking for Loop pass coaching games to improve?

I am looking for Loop pass coaching games to improve my player game.

Archived User Coach

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