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Rugby Rugby Trends Women's Rugby 2025: A Record Year for Coaching

Women's Rugby 2025: A Record Year for Coaching

The 2025 Women's Rugby World Cup featured a record 32% female coaches - more than double 2021 figures. Here's what this growth means for the sport.

December 2025

Rugby Rugby Trends Game Management: Decision Making Under Pressure

Game Management: Decision Making Under Pressure

Matches are won by the team that makes better decisions under pressure. Learn how to develop game intelligence and manage critical moments.

November 2025

DRILLS (35)SESSIONS (5) ANSWERS (17) COMMUNITY (10)

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channel DRILLS

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4 vs 1

Groups of 5 Combine grids to make 2 channels each 10m x 20m 1 Ball per group Ball carrier tries to score a try by running past the defender. Support players follow the ball carrier. If tagged, the ball carrier must pass the to one of his / her support players. The defender must GIVE the tag back before trying to make a second tackle.

Tag Rugby

4 vs 1 vs 1

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.

Decision making

Catch me if you can

Up to 10 in a group. Each player should have a tag belt. Each player partners up with someone and then stand side by side. On the coach's call the players run to that sideline. If the coach calls 1 for example they have to run to the sideline before the 2s can catch them and take their belt.

Tag Rugby

Chain Reaction - Progression

2 x Adjacent 20m x 10m channels In the first channel, players pass the ball across the line in a chain. After the first pass, the player that started the chain remains in the middle to become a defender

Tag Rugby

Channels

1) Run down channels 1/2 / 3/4 pace. 2) No forward passes.3) Use 6 balls / 6 runners at the same time.Variation1) Speed it up.2) Sidestep within the channel.3) Sidestep into another channel.

Agility & Running Skills

Diamond Geezer

In fours players are moving up a channel. The support runner (blue player in the animation) calls themselves into the line, receives a pass, offloads and repeats down the second channel. Ideally you would like your players to form a diamond: a ball carrier, support running left, support running right, and a support runner behind who can come onto the ball at any angle. When the first group leaves the first channel, the second group should begin. That way there will always be activity. Players should change their positions in the diamond.

Agility & Running Skills

Loop

First attacker runs straight and passes to second attacker (in middle channel). First player runs around second to recieve the pass in the end channel.

Maul

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.

Tag Rugby

Channel & Lane Running Passing...

Set up a 8 channels of cones 5 metres apartA group of 4 players start on the side line, and all players need to work around the nearest/corner cone.The first player with the ball will run into the nearest channel of cones (lane 1) and all the other players will work around the corner cone and filter into the proceeding channelsThe 1st player passes the ball as soon as the 2nd player gets into the 2nd channel. The ball is passed down the line of 4 players until the 4th players receives the ball.Once the 4th player receives the ball, the ball is placed down and all the players work around to get into their respective channel to repeat the process.

General

Catch and pass channel Passing...

8+ players Ball Players stand at equal distance away at differnt points along the grid. One working player runs in the middle of the channel. The players on the outside pass the ball into the running player. The Working player must complete 2 sets of passing - 1 run off each hand.

General

Open Channel Passing - Rugby D...

Give each training area one ball and tell the players the following...... Lets just get the ball moving down the line. Give the player at the start of one of the lines a ball, tell the line to advnce using laterial passing - with the last player in each line passing the ball to the first player in the opposite line. This should include all of the players, including the players that will be working in defence. After some time (your call on how long this should be). Tell the players that....... You will have three defenders, 10 meters back from the attack. The attack will start by laying on the ground facing the opposite direction. The defence will leave one channel open, they should vary this each time. The attack should get to their feet when the defence says ATTACK (this give the defence a chance to get ready). The attack should move the ball to the open channel, attacking that channel with more that one player - if possible. The defence can defend their own channel, they can move forward and back, and side to side - but they cannot enter the channel they initally left open. Players should change positions in the line following each attack. Change the defenders after some time.

General

Channel Ball Tackling - Rugby ...

This game is designed to teach the players about retiring to an onside position when a tackle is made. Set-up a field approximately 10m wide and 15 m long. Place all the rugby balls at one end. Split the players into 2 teams and send them to opposite ends of the field. The attackers are the players with the ball and the defenders without. Explain to the players with the ball and defenders without. Explain to the players that the attackers are to try and get the ball to the defenders line to score a try. The defenders are to try and stop them. After a successful tackle both the defender and the attacker must return to their line by running out and around the corner marker. To begin with few attackers will get the ball over the line, however, as the players start to rounding the markers - more space opens up and defenders become less organized.

General

4v3 Passing Channel Passing - ...

This is a 4 v 3 overload drill in favour of the attackersThe area is set out, with four attackers spread out across the back line, three defenders 5 yards in front them, and another row of three defenders 5 yards behind themOn GO, the coach passes to the first attacking player, and the ball travels along the line to eventually reach the end playerThat player is then first to reach the next line of defenders, and the ball is passed back along the line and the original attacker should receive the ball in space to 'score a try'.

General

Narrow - Wide Channel Agility ...

Groups of 4One ball per groupIn the narrow channel stand one behind the other, once into the big space- fan out.

General

Channels Agility & Running Ski...

1) Run down channels 1/2 / 3/4 pace. 2) No forward passes. 3) Use 6 balls / 6 runners at the same time. Variation 1) Speed it up. 2) Sidestep within the channel. 3) Sidestep into another channel.

General

Narrow Channel Passing Passing...

Drill to practice attacking in a small channel.Set up a channel roughly 20m wide and 5m long. Position three defenders on the try-line and four attackers opposite them.The attack are trying to score tries over the try line while the defence try to stop them with a two handed touch. The defence can only move laterally.The attack must take the ball back over the white line of cones after every score/touch before they can attack again.

General

Offloading channel Off Loads -...

Groups of 10+ Ball Bibs. In 5m Channel have 4 defenders stood one behind eachother 5m apart. Have 4 defenders stood in diamond formation. 1 ball carrier, 2 support runners, 1 trailer runner. Ball carrier takes on defender, trying to manoeuvre the defender or get on the outside of the defender using footwork and fend. Once the player has line of sight of a supporting attacker, the attacker returns to 2 hands on the ball, then offloads to support runner. The trailer runner then becomes the second support runner. continue up the grid until the defenders left.

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

Handling in channels School - ...

Great the large numbers, variety of skills in small areas and can be advanced/simplified for all abilities. Groups of 3, 3 channels. 2x5 m channels 1x15 m channel in the middle To evolve drill, have paths on the floor and players to off load. Keith is depth and communication. Make sure depth and quality of handling is high. Targets, follow-through and ball put in front runner.

General

3v2 Passing Channel Passing - ...

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

Support play down channel Pass...

5 players start in a 5x5m grid and can pass the ball to one another in any direction. Once the coach blows the whistle they explode with speed down the channel. The aim is to firstly not run into an agility pole, and secondly to pass to a player in support while attacking down the channel. Once a player has made a pass, he must get in behind the ball and support once again.

General

Pass within a channel Passing ...

Tell the players the following..... This is simple, just attack from the bottom and top of the grid at pace. There can be two groups in the grid at any one time. Anyone in the line can start with the ball, and the attack should vary between lateral and creative. The ball and attack will be considered alive within the grid, so respond at all times. Players should change places within the attacking line after each attack. The starting position of the ball should change on each attack. Players should avoid contact within the grid.

General

Rugby: Channel Fix - Handling ...

Groups 5 Balls Cones 1. Chanel Fix 5 players Attack Defenders lined up one behind eachother. They must use footwork to step to a side of the sausage and then give a pass before running into/past the defender.

General

Pass within a channel Passing ...

Set up the 10m x 40m Grid as shown.4 cones and 1 ball per group.Split the group into teams of three. On the coaches command the players start running up the channel passing between them, once they reach the end they turn around and come back repeating the passing.

General

Last 15 Defence Drill Defensiv...

A drill to practice defending in wide channels.Set up a grid that is 40m wide and 20m long, with the 40m divided into a 25m channel (red to red cones) and a 15m channel (red to green cones).There are seven attackers (blue) and four defenders (red). Only two defenders are allowed in the 15m channel at a time.The seven attackers are trying to score against the defenders, they receive 5 points for scoring in the 25m channel and 10 points for scoring in the 15m channel. (Points system incentivises scoring in the wide channels)Every time the attack score they turn around and attack the other direction.PROGRESSION:Defenders can only enter the 15m channel when the ball is in that channel.

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

Building The Loop Passing - Ru...

Tell your players the following..... One group of 4 players will be in defence. The other two groups of 4 will be in attack, they will attack one group at a time. There will be two attackerss and two defenders in the first two channels, the third channel will be open and free of attackers and defenders. The fourth channel will have an attacker and defender, the fifth channel will be free of attackers and defenders, the sixth channel will have an attacker and defender, and the last channel will be free of attackers or defenders. Defenders can move forward and side to side within their own channel, but they cannot leave their channel. Attackers attack their own channels, but can call a loop (L1,L2,L3 etc.) in order to attack the open channels. Allow players to discover solutions, question - try not to tell. Change the defenders.

General

2 vs 1 - with running support ...

The lead attacker runs at straight at defender. Attacks runs into space, either on the left or the right, takes the tackle and then off-loads to the support player who should be running down the opposite channel to the first attacker (so if the the first attacker runs left the support player goes right).

General

Living On The Edge Warm Up - R...

Split the players into two teams, giving each team their own set of bibs. Two different colours that clearly define the teams. Keep your player briefing, brief. It's important that you get your players moving as quickly as possible. Tell the players that we will be playing One Touch Ruck, see the laws surrounding this game in the Warm-Ups section of the SportPlan site. Briefly - when an attacking player is touched while carrying the ball: they go to ground and either pop or present the ball for a minimum of two supporting players to ruck over. The defence should behave as they normally would at the ruck, committing two players who will not compete for the ball or go into contact. The defence should employ their normal patterns around the ruck. The attacking team can have three touches in a row between the 15 meter lines, if they move the ball to the either of the 15 meter channels they can have another four touches in that channel before having to move the ball back out. If the attacking team moves quickly from one 15 meter channel to the other (exploiting space), they get a bonus of 4 touches in that zone. If any attacking team exceeds the number of touches they can sustain inside a channel, the ball is turned over. Play with these laws a bit - keeping an eye on what you want to achieve in this session. The normal laws of rugby apply, any law infringements result in a turn over. There is no kicking in this game. Don't forget to give the defence a turn in attack, if for any reason the attacking team is particularly good at retaining the ball. If they are, well done you as a coach!

General

Colour Cone Attack Decision ma...

Drill to practice attacking from different positions.Set up a grid roughly 20m wide and 15m long with three defenders (yellow) and four attackers (blue). Within the grid place a number of different coloured cones.The attack start with the ball and the coach will shout the colour of a cone, the attack must touch the ball on that cone before they can attack. Once the attack have touched the ball on the cone the defence can start to defend.PROGRESSION:To start with the defence can only move laterally along the try line, then are allowed to move off the try line.

General

Loop Maul - Rugby Drills, Rugb...

First attacker runs straight and passes to second attacker (in middle channel). First player runs around second to recieve the pass in the end channel.

General

Simple Hands - Left Passing - ...

Simple handling drill working on catching, passing and straight line running. Line up in lines of three or four. The feeder plays the ball to the first receiver and player transfer the ball along the line of players.

General

Tackle Progression 1v1 Tacklin...

1. Tracking Create a V shaoped conned area. Defender at one end, attacker at the other end. Attacker attempts to score using footwork, defender has to track them and try stop them by gettign a shoulder on contact to there hips. (50% intensity)2. 1v1 Track and TackleIn a grid an attacker is positioned on one end and a defender at the other end. Defender passes to the attacker who attempts to score against the defender within the grid. 3. 1v1 Tackle Channel Players line up in two lines adjacent to the coned area. Coach shouts go and the front two players run round their end to end up facing each other. The coach passes the ball to the attacker who runs at the defender, and the defender tries to take them down.4. 2v2 Track and Tackle 10m wide channel, 2 attackers start with the ball while 2 defenders atart at the other end.when instructed the attackers attempt to score agaisnt them.Do continuous reps.

General

M1 (LOOPER) Attacking Wide Bac...

See the diagram for suggested starting positions. 10 moves forward carrying the ball. 12 loops around 13, and wide outside towards 14. 10 passes to 13, missing out the 12 channel. 15 moves forward outside 13. 13 takes and passes to 15. 15 carries the ball forward, and out. 15 passes to 12, who passes to 14.

General

Diamond Geezer Warm Up - Rugby...

General

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Hooking with left foot

Hi, Few years ago, I have heard a hooker telling that sometimes he was hooking with the left foot. I did not try to ask further at that time, but now I am wondering to know in which circumstance should a hooker do so. Is he allowed ? mostly for the team introducing the ball or the opposing team ? To have a stronger pressure against the opposing 1st row ? Thx for your comments

I have a quick question on the positioning of the hooker in the scrum primarily feet positioning, is there a guide or is it what ever the hooker feels comfortable with to get the job done. IÂ´ve noticed a wide stance throws the props off.

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

Tony Meza Coach, Costa Rica

3 answers

where can I get an under 8 year program of training?

where can I get an under 8 year program of training or activities to introduce them to the game of Rugby?

how do you stop a 15 breaking through the gain line

how do you stop a 15 breaking through

Andy Stephens Coach, Scotland

Not sure if this question has been asked...but is drift?

Not sure if this question has been asked...but is drift defence REALLY the BEST way to combat the fullback entering the line?

5 answers

Any view on counter attacking a full back entering?

Any view on counter attacking a full back entering the line against a man to man marking system?

David Coach, England

10 answers

Flood the channel

I keep hearing the term flood the channel, what does this mean?

RFU - proposed Mini's rule changes

RFU - proposed Mini's rule changes%3A All - just a quick straw poll%3A Have any CLUBS that you are aware of officially come out in SUPPORT of these changes? If not, have they come out officially rejecting the proposed changes, or are they adopting a "wait and see" attitude? Regards Stephe

Javier Marcelo Ferreyra Andrada Coach, Argentina

13 answers

a que llaman canal 1,2 y 3 en el rugby alguien me puede?

a que llaman canal 1,2 y 3 en el rugby alguien me puede explicar porque no entiendo el concepto agradeceria si ayuda muchas gracias call channel to 1.2 and 3 in rugby can someone explain me why I do not understand the concept would appreciate if you help thank you very much.Translated by Sportplan Team

I'm working with kids aged 10 and 11. A major problem?

I'm working with kids aged 10 and 11. A major problem is getting them to have some sense of position on the pitch. In other words how do I stop them all running after the ball.e

Cameron Taylor Coach, Scotland

u8s running sideways not forward!

What drills would anybody reccomend to encourage forward running in an u8s side,whilst keeping it fun?Some players tend to crab along the pitch.

7 answers

Are there any drills to encourage my 3/4s to return to midfield quickly?

Are there any drills to encourage three-quarters to quickly return to the midfield to defend 2nd phase possession? My U11s backs get drawn into rucks amp; mauls and leave the opposition too much attacking space in midfield. Thanks

Simon Luxton Coach, England

Flanker pickup from scrum

Is it legal for a flanker to unbind and pick up the ball from a scrum if the ball comes to his channel?

forwards positions in open play

Hello, in open play i want to have my forwards split up across the field not just chasing the next ruck. im not sure exactly how to teach them where they should be standing. (positional play) (Dane coles always seems to be a wing in open play)

dan Coach, Germany

bunching

How to stop bunching

Craig Thomas Coach, Wales

Subscription payment via incorrect channel

I have cancelled my subscription due to no longer coaching this season, I will however return when I am with my next club as I have found this to be a service i rely upon to be organised for my team

Tiffany Gordon Coach, Australia

Flood the channel | Sportplan

I keep hearing the term flood the channel, what does this mean?

channel COMMUNITY DRILLS

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Attacking Channels

Moving defense line

NIKE - PHASE 3 - BLIND breakdown

Channel Ball

Autosave 65491534

Autosave 60559495

1 on 1 tackle

12 Pivot BD 1

Fending Off Break Out Drill

Wing out BD 1

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