Contact Help center
Rugby Rugby
HOME Rugby Coaching Trends SEARCH

Rugby: bag

bag DRILLS
View All

Drift defence

4 Tackle Bags. 10 Cones and 1 Ball. 10m x 30m. The first player in the line begins with the ball. As he approaches the first cone and passes to player 2 who is supporting. Player 1 carries on their run and hits the tackle bag before running backwards to player 2 original position. Player 2 on receiving the ball passes the ball onto player 3 before hitting the tackle bag and back pedalling to player 3 original position. When the ball reaches player 5, that player side steps behind the others back to position 1 where the drill is repeated.

Defensive Patterns

Fend off the challenge

Set Up Line of defenders - 5m apart in staggered formation tackle shield. Individual players move down the line – fend off each tackle in turn right then left ...

Off Loads

Fending Off - Strong Hands

Line of defenders - 5m apart in staggered formation tackle shield.Individual players move down the line, fend off each tackle in turn - right then left etc.

Off Loads

Lineout: lift

Lineout

Realign

The first player moves forwards, makes contact with the tackle bag and retreats diagonally to the line of cones. The next player joins the line and both the players move forward and hit the tackle bag or shield before retreating back to the line again. The third player then joins the line and all three players go out to meet the tackle bag, shield or fall on the ball. Drill continues with all players involved.

Tackling

Smash through and Pass!

Set Up 3 sets of 2 defenders each with 2 tackle bags placed 10m apart down 15m x 30m channel - 3 attackers Attacker with ball in centre with 2 support players set 5m back to left and right. Attack runs at bag using footwork on approach to off set defenders fixes on one defender and smashes through hole attack carries ball in 2 hands off loads left or right receiver repeats on next pair of bags

Off Loads

Counter Bag Sevens - Rugby Dri...

Tell your players the following..... One player will straddle the bag and compete for the ball on the ground. The two remaining players will remove the competing player. The competing player will change sides, and compete for the ball on the opposite side, but the remaining two players need to get there quickly to stop them and remove the competing player again. This sequence repeats until the coach says stop. That's it, let get going. Don't forget to change the players around.

General

Bag Slams | Contact Conditioni...

This is the second exercise in a series of three that can be put together to form a contact conditioning circuit. The circuit can be sets of 30 seconds of hard work followed by 30 seconds of rest. Swap in this circuit for your usual fitness routine to give the players something a bit more interesting and transferable to a game. Alternatively, this would be a great exercise to include as part of a warm up.<li dir=&quot;ltr&quot;>Players work individually, picking up a tackle sausage and driving it into the ground. <li dir=&quot;ltr&quot;>Repeat for the whole 30 seconds.This exercise will develop your players core strength, which is immensely important in most areas of the game.Moreover, this exercise simulates how players will have to maintain power in a game. For example when going from making a tackle to then contesting the ruck.0.40 - What is the purpose of these conditioning circuits?

General

Rugby: 3 v Tackle Bag and body...

3 attackers start at the beginning of the grid who will go up against the tackle bag first and then the person in the body suit second; these two should not stand next to each other unless you move on to the progression. At the coaches command the attackers will go into the tackle shield first with the ball carrier going to ground and the two supporters either both clearing out or one person clearing and the next picking up the ball and going into the next defender 5 metres behind who will be in a bodysuit. The ball carrier here will try to stay strong on his feet and offload to the two support runners or one of them will come in and rip the ball and offload to the support runner who will finish by crossing over the line.

General

Crash Through 2 Tackle Bags Ta...

Basic but good warm up drill for matches. 4 cones set up a grid of about 5-10m by 5-10m. 2 defenders with tackle shields start in the centre. Attacker starts at the base of grid running onto and catching a pass from the next attacker. Attackers then run through the two defenders with tackle shields to score a try. The attacker that passed the ball immediately goes to starting position (base of grid) to be passed a ball and start the next repetition while the scorer joins the line to make a pass.

General

Jackal progression drill Conta...

1. Bounce Race to get off the floor. CHest to bag then bag to feet. 2. Bounce with sausage Same as above however, now get in position to compete for the ball over a tackled player (sausage).Ball should be wedged between 2 sausages. 3. Live but Static A tackler hsould start on his knees half tacklignan attakcing player.A jackler should be behind and as soon as tackled player hits the floor should be over the top jackling. A 3rd player bag man, should test his tsability. 4. Jackal and Bag Race Bag man and Jackler start either side of a sausage. Coach blows his whistle, both leap to feet and compete for the ball. Race for space

General

Pod-Ruck Ruck - Rugby Drills, ...

On the shout of &quot;GO&quot; the scrum half passes to the player on the first cone, who attacks the 1st bag. Once the bag is attacked and cleared out, the scrum half then passes to the player at the 2nd cone.<br /><br />Once the player at the 2nd cone has attacked their back, the scrum half then passes the ball to the person on the 3rd cone who repeats the exercise.<br /><br />Once the last bag is attacked the exercise is repeated.

General

Attack from Turnover Match Rel...

2 Teams Ball Tackle Bags 3 Tackle bags are in a break down formation. With one player from the other team opposite them. The tackle bag team is lined up as if they are about to attack. The non tackle bag team must line up as if they are defending.The ball is rolled in the player with no tackle bag on the opposite team must get the ball away from the break down as quickly as possible with the tackle bags putting lots of pressure on. The non takcle bag team then must re-align as quickly as possible aiming to score from the turn over ball.

General

Sausage Wrestle and Jackal Ruc...

Groups of 3 Sausage Ball1 player lines up opposite a standing sausage, wrestles it to the floor, landing chest ontop of the bag. A 2nd play holding a ball puts the ball down on the right side of the sausage as if it was an attacker placing it. The first play wrestling the sausage, bouncers up and competes for the ball (remeber to release) The 3rd player once the ball has been placed tries to clear the player competing for the ball.

General

Rugby: Tackle Technique - Foot...

Groups of 2 Tackle bag An attacker holds a bag 2m away from a defender.Defender hold hands behind his back, while bagholder stands in split stance. The Defender then does continuous steps and shoulder impacts off each shoulder one after the other.

General

Rugby: Lineout Progressions Wi...

1.Two players stand either side of a tackle tube (tackle tube on the floor 'stood up').The coach shouts go and the two players turn inwards to face each other and the tube.The players then get set in a low position before lifting the tube into the air.2.Three players. One in the middle faces forwards. One player either side holds a tackle tube.The coach shouts left or right (or a call to their discretion) for the middle player to turn to.The middle player and the teammate on that side lift the tackle tube into the air the same as the first drill.3.Three players. Two players set up in the set position either side of one tackle tube, while the other player is set on their own behind a tackle bag facing inwards.The player on the outside of the two runs quickly round their first bag, to join the player on their own.Together the players lift the tube into the air, as per the first two drills.

General

Rugby: Ruck Clear Out Between ...

2 people are on the tackle shields or 2 on each side about 5 metres apart facing each other, there is a ball carrier standing in the middle of the two defenders with one or two attackers. Ball carrier runs into defender/s and places the ball, the supporting player/s must clear away the defenders. Each attacker must have a go at hitting the defender and placing the ball.

General

Breakdown Technical Work Ruck ...

tackle sausage Place 2 sausages perpendicular from eachother in a T shape. Have one player line up a couple meters away from the bag. Conditioning drill, the player does reps of clearing the bag, running back to the line, doing a down up and going again.

General

Fast Up Sevens - Rugby Drills,...

Tell your players the following..... One player will be the bag man, they will put the bags that have been hit back up again. Players will start at the bottom of the channel, they will hit the first bag - get to their feet and pick the ball. They should then set the ball just before the next bag - where they will again make the hit, before getting to their feet and taking the ball. They will repeat this at bag 3. The bag man - should be tracking and putting the bags up again. They player that has just went - will become the bag man, and the existing bag man joins the end of the line ready to complete the exercise. That's it, lets get to work.

General

Tackle Fitness Sevens - Rugby ...

The runner/tackler starts 10 meters back, runs forward and places the ball down just before the bag, and in the same motion hits the bag making a tackle. They then get to their feet and lift the ball, repeating the same skills at the opposite tackle bag. This repeats for 1 minute at pace. Switch the runner/tacklers with a player at the bags.

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

Realign Tackling - Rugby Drill...

The first player moves forwards, makes contact with the tackle bag and retreats diagonally to the line of cones. The next player joins the line and both the players move forward and hit the tackle bag or shield before retreating back to the line again. The third player then joins the line and all three players go out to meet the tackle bag, shield or fall on the ball. Drill continues with all players involved.

General

Rugby: Tackle and Bounce Condi...

Groups of 3/41 Tackle Sausage.1 Tackle bag. 1. Tackle Bag conditioning.Players align 6m apart, one side with tackle sausage. Work for 1 min constantly tackling and carrying sausage back and forth with partners. 2. Tackle and Roll conditioning. Same as before but introduce roll after making the hit. Roll with bag to escpae collision area. then same as before, pick up the sausage and run.3. Add DefenderA 3rd player is introduced, holding Tackle bag who acts as a attacker clearing out the ruck. The Defender must bounce up and clear the tackle bag player coming over the ball, then same as before. 4. Tackle, Roll, Clear All 4 stages togther now, adding a roll in before clearing out the attakcing player with tackle bag.

General

Tackle from behind Tackling - ...

Drill to practice chasing and tackling someone.Roughly 5m x 10m channel. Players lined up in two lines behind red cones.First two players run out to white cones where a coach/feeder passes one of the players the ball. The player who receives the ball runs to try and score between the green cones, the other player tries to chase and tackle them.

General

Ruck Zone Contact Skills - Rug...

Bags Min 12+ BallThere is a working group of 4 in the middle of 8 differnt bag holders working in 2's. The group of 4 must pick and drive into a difffernt group of bags each rep. The group of 4 work on there contact skills of leg drive and staying on feet, then clear out work. Work for 1 min then swap.

General

3 vs 2 School - Rugby Drills, ...

Simple 3 v 2, with two defenders with tackle bags. The attackers must pass their way through the grid, using quick passes and good handling, while the defenders work hard to pressure them.

General

Fend off the challenge Off Loa...

Set Up Line of defenders - 5m apart in staggered formation tackle shield. Individual players move down the line – fend off each tackle in turn right then left ...

General

Getting Low in the Tackle Tack...

<li dir=&quot;ltr&quot;>In groups of 5 tie a bit of tape or string around the two posts approximately 0.5 to 1 meter above the ground. <li dir=&quot;ltr&quot;>Two players hold the sausages behind the tape on either side and one holds the bag in front of the tape.<li dir=&quot;ltr&quot;>Change the man with the bag every few reps or hold the bag as the coach. <li dir=&quot;ltr&quot;>The players will rotate around with each rep. 1 Full Repetition: <li dir=&quot;ltr&quot;>The player starts on the ground, hits the bag with either shoulder and then powers past the bag.<li dir=&quot;ltr&quot;>Player then gets into a low body position and moves under the tape to complete a tackle on the sausage.<li dir=&quot;ltr&quot;>Next, they should get into a strong body position as if they were contesting at a ruck.<li dir=&quot;ltr&quot;>They then pick up the sausage and the previous holder moves around.

General

Rugby: Hit And Roll Ruck Clear...

A tackling exercise to be completed in pairs.One player stands over a tackle tube, while holding a tackle bag themself against their chest.The tackler begins lying down with chest on the floor ready to go.The tackler gets to their feet quickly, and gets low before tackling the opponent/tackle bag with force.The aim is for the tackler to rip the tackle bag away from the opponent, and roll away.

General

Sausage Wrestle and Jackal Con...

Groups of 3 Sausage Ball1 player lines up opposite a standing sausage, wrestles it to the floor, landing chest ontop of the bag. A 2nd play holding a ball puts the ball down on the right side of the sausage as if it was an attacker placing it. The first play wrestling the sausage, bouncers up and competes for the ball (remeber to release) The 3rd player once the ball has been placed tries to clear the player competing for the ball.

General

Rugby: Clear out drill basics ...

Groups of 3+ Bag Sausage2 player starts on his chest infront of the sausage, another player lines up opposite.When whistle is blown, the first player makes a chop tackle on the bag and rolls out the way. The second defender then then spider carwls over the sausage and clears the incoming bag holder.

General

Tackle and clear out Ruck Clea...

3 players (one in tackle suit, one with ball) and one tackle bag.<br /><br />Player in tackle suit crouches or kneels next to tackle bag. Suited player tackles bag, player with ball places ball next to tackle bag, suited player returns to feet to compete for ball. The third player now clears out suited player.

General

Hit and Drive Ruck Clearout Ru...

A drill to be completed in pairs.One player holding a tackle bag stands in a low, strong position with knees bent.The player is standing with one foot either side of a tackle tube on the floor, with their weight forward.The other player starts lying on the floor in a half press-up position ready to go.The tackler needs to get to their feet quickly, sidestep past the cone on the floor and tackle the player holding the tackle bag.Once the player with the tackle bag has been hit, the tackler drives through to clear the opponent out of a ruck.

General

Pole Position Sevens - Rugby D...

Tell the players the following..... Each player has four tackle bags and six balls, the winner is the player that knocks down the most bags - you cannot leave their cone and must knock the bags down by passing. If you find that the bags are too heavy - you can amend the game by placing balls on the top of the bags, the passers must knock them off.

General

Unfortunately there were no results for your search! Please try again
bag DRILL CATEGORIES
View All
Off Loads Drills
Tackling Drills
Off Loads Drills
Tackling Drills
bag SESSIONS
View All

Pre-season Contact Build-Up

After a long off season period it's important to carefully ease your players back into contact - use this session to get your players tackling again in a safe and injury-free environment

Ruck through the Gate

Teach your team to ruck safely, effectively and quickly. By going 'through the gate' you'll avoid giving away penalties and encourage better binding

Rugby Fitness Drills and Games

Fitness is a vital part of getting to the line for the full 80. Work on your teams skills and technique whilst putting them under fatigue with a gruelling fitness session.

Ruck to Success: Improving speed at the breakdown

Improve your players' speed and drive at the breakdown to help them win the contest with this powerful ruck skills session

Tackling for Toddlers - The basics of tackling

Lose the fear of tackling by teaching correct technique. That's the maxim for this session as we look at ways to get your children excited about tackling effectively!

Defensive blowout - Fitness games session

Banish dull fitness exercises with.this competitive and physically demanding session - working on tacking, fitness and players' ability to close down space

Keep moving at the ruck - Driving Defence Session

Put your best foot forwards and drive, drive, drive the opposition back in this quick ball at the ruck technique session!
bag ANSWERS
View All

My fowards seem afraid to ruck and stand around the?

My fowards seem afraid to ruck and stand around the ruck while in the way of the scrum half trying to get the ball out to the backs. They also don't support the ball carrier while he is being tackled. Please help me with any suggestions!!!

William Barrett Coach, United States of America

i need ideas for putting together a coaching session?

i need ideas for putting together a coaching session for under 9 rugby

Archived User Coach

Where should the posts be postioned on a ruck?

Where should the posts be postioned on a ruck? also, what is the best way to teach this?

Archived User Coach

what is the difference in using a tackle suit vs a?

what is the difference in using a tackle suit vs a tackle bag

Archived User Coach

How to teach the front on tackle to 10 year olds

How to teach the front on tackle to 10 year olds

Archived User Coach

Coaching the Tackle for U9s who are 'frightened'

Some of my U9s players, who are experiencing contact for their first season, are showing reticence in tackling - how do you coach or get through the fear factor/element?

Archived User Coach

Using pads & contact shields - good or bad?

an RFU directive states that coaches should not hold pads/shields for juniors to run into during sessions, or even juniors holding pads for each other!!! I notice a lot of drills utilise pads as this was something we always used when I trained years ago! I personally think they are a good thing (especially since some of the juniors I coach are 'not small'!) BUT wondered what the general thoughts were out there in SportPlan world....

Archived User Coach

How can I overcome my son's fear of tackling?

How can I overcome my son's fear of tackling. He's 10 and shaping up to be a useful player in other areas but is very reluctant to engage other players in contact. What drills might help overcome this?

Archived User Coach

Warm up ideas before a game

What are the best warm up drills to do before a game Asked using Sportplan Mobile App

Liam Manley Coach, England

3 people, 1 tackle bag

Hi I was just asking what the best drills would be to do on a tackle bag with 3 people? Asked using Sportplan Mobile App

Liam Manley Coach, England

struggle with the tackle during games

what to do?when on the field players struggle to make tackles, but when we use the junior bag they go in hard and tackle like animals.any drills to help us please?my group is under 9s

JOHAN BRENKMAN Coach, Namibia

Progression

in this drill, can I add extra defender with a tackling bag and another attacker. Basically 1 attacker hits the bag with 1 attacker cleaning out the bag and last attacker cleans out defender trying to slow down/steal the ball as a progression to this drill?

rameez baradien Coach, South Africa

Progression

in this drill, can I add extra defender with a tackling bag and another attacker. Basically 1 attacker hits the bag with 1 attacker cleaning out the bag and last attacker cleans out defender trying to slow down/steal the ball as a progression to this drill?

rameez baradien Coach, South Africa

any drills for my players to practice at home

Can you recommend me with some drills that my players can do at home outside, on their own. Specifically ball and contact work, mainly for forwards.Thank you

undefined undefined Coach, Ireland

Drift Defence?

thers no drifting at all becuase the tackle bags dont move. the defnders are hitting the same bag at the same postion always. just becuase the last palyer loops round doesnt means the defences has drifted. i dont see how this drill is implemneted into a game senario. is your last defending man going to circle all the way to the start of the defending line? no drfit D whatsoever. unless you;re letting your team get ready to be set and make a hit theres no point in this drill being sewd for a 'Drift' defence.

Lochlainn McKenzie Coach, Ireland

hitt training with ball for u10

do you have a who can support me with a hitt training with ball for u10?

maurits schotte Coach, Netherlands

Using pads & contact shields -...

an RFU directive states that coaches should not hold pads/shields for juniors to run into during sessions, or even juniors holding pads for each other!!! I notice a lot of drills utilise pads as this was something we always used when I trained years ago! I personally think they are a good thing (especially since some of the juniors I coach are 'not small'!) BUT wondered what the general thoughts were out there in SportPlan world....

Archived User Coach

Can I and should I coach basic...

Does anyone have a definitive answer to this question%3A can I coach basic tackling skills to U8s now, in preparation for next season, without falling foul of any RFU rules or regulations? Hugo

Hugo Norton-Taylor Coach, England

JOIN SPORTPLAN FOR FREE

  • search our library of 1100+ rugby drills
  • create your own professional coaching plans
  • or access our tried and tested plans
STAY CONNECTED

in more ways than one

sportplan_rugby
LATEST COACHING TRENDS
Six Nations 2026: Tactical Trends Every Coach Can Steal

Six Nations 2026: Tactical Trends Every Coach Can Steal

From France's collision dominance to England's folding defence - what grassroots coaches can learn from the 2026 Six Nations.

February 2026
|
Sportplan Coaching
The 2026 Lineout Law Change: New Opportunities for Your Attack

The 2026 Lineout Law Change: New Opportunities for Your Attack

The removal of "not-straight" on uncontested lineouts transforms your set-piece options. Here's how to exploit the new rule.

February 2026
|
Sportplan Coaching
6 Things Changing Rugby in 2026

6 Things Changing Rugby in 2026

2026 brings revolutionary changes to international rugby: a brand new global tournament, historic tours, and law changes that will reshape the game. Here's everything coaches need to know.

January 2026
|
Sportplan Coaching
VIEW ALL COACHING TRENDS
Rugby POPULAR SEARCH TERMS
defencefitnesssevensruckingtag rugbylines of runningunder 8maulscrum7tagtacklingwarm uptouchtouch rugbytacklelineoutruckjunior backline drillspassing

What our users have been saying...

Coaches from around the world look to Sportplan for coaching confidence.

Sportplan rugby has played a large role in my team's love for the game!

Heather Weston Rugby Coach, United States

I am so pleased with all of the drills and advice on rugby. I am a player for my local club and we don't have a coach at the moment so I, as a senior player, am filling that gap. With your help, the team has been able to improve our skills.

Mokie Tau Rugby Coach, Papua New Guinea

Your tips and session ideas have really brought some interest back to our rugby training. The players and I now really enjoy our training sessions.

Eifion Highes Rugby Coach, United Kingdom

Wow what a great website, I have found sportplan an important tool for me when planning my netball sessions with my netball team. There are alot of very helpful tips/ideas/skills that I can learn and teach to my team. Thank you sportplan I hope to continue to use your helpful tips and to learn more about improving my teams netball skills. Thanks again....keep it up....

Monique New Zealand

I have been using Sportplan now for 3 years and can honestly say that I have never repeated the same session twice. My girls are always focused and are improving every year. Thanks Sportplan.

Debbie Cross Australia

What a fantastic tool. The Chalkboard and session tools make an unbelievable difference in making training plans in both time and organization. I will be instructing all of my assistant coaches that this tool must be used for all sessions during the season, so that we may build a club coaching resource library.

Wes Campbell Rugby Coach Canada

I can't get enough of the Sportplan, It has given me back the enthusiasm i was starting to lose. My girls are so keen and are ready at 14 to take the next up in their game. Sportplan will help no end.

Cornel Basketball Coach, South Africa

SIGN UP NOW FOR FREE

  • search our library of 1100+ rugby drills
  • create professional rugby coaching plans
  • or access our tried and tested rugby plans

Sportplan App

Give it a try - it's better in the app

SPORTPLAN USES COOKIES

Sportspeople like cookies too! By continuing to browse, you are agreeing to our use of cookies. More info

Privacy Policy
We are committed to privacy and support current industry initiatives to preserve individual privacy rights on the Internet. Protecting your privacy on-line is an evolving area and this website will constantly evolve to meet these demands.


Cookies
Some of our web pages utilise "cookies". A "cookie" is a small text file that may be used, forexample, to collect information about web site activity. Some cookies and other technologies may serve to recallPersonal Information previously indicated by a web user. Most browsers allow you to control cookies, includingwhether or not to accept them and how to remove them.

Some cookies are necessary for the operation of our website, if you choose to block them some aspects of the site may not work for you. Non necessary cookies are only set when you have given your explicit consent to their use. Such cookies included those set by our statistics package Google Analytics.

We use cookies to personalise content and ads, to provide social media features and to analyse our traffic. We also share information about your use of our site with our social media, advertising and analytics partners who may combine it with other information that you've provided to them or that they've collected from your use of their services.

More info
Rugby POPULAR SEARCH TERMS
3 v 2 7 counter rucking defence defense fitness football forward drills junior  backline drills lesson plans line out lineout lineout drills lines of running maul passing ruck rucking rugby scrum scrum machine search sevens tackle tackling tag tag rugby touch under 8 warm up
YOUR SESSION IS STARTING SOON... Join the growing community of rugby coaches plus 1100+ drills and pro tools to make coaching easy.
LET'S DO IT