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Game Management: Decision Making Under Pressure

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DRILLS (34)SESSIONS (11) ANSWERS (16)

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circle DRILLS

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Dizzy

There will be one ball carrier at any one time. They will run around the circle, passing the ball. The ball must be handled by all players, so players work to identify themselves as needing the ball. The ball cannot be passed to the person beside the carrier, but backwards passes are allowed. The coach can change the direction of the players running and ask them to do things e.g. touch the ground with your right hand, touch the ground with your left hand, jump up and clap etc.

Passing

Hands up / Hands Down

Lets just get the ball moving clockwise for a while, just to get the ball moving through the hands. After a minute or two, lets switch the direction of the ball. After another minute, tell them the ball can go in any direction, but...... The receiver must have their hands in the air. The passer cannot pass to a player directly beside them. The passer can dummy, if a player takes their hand down they are out. The reciever can take their hands down to catch a ball if it is coming their way. You can also play this game using a word like RUGBY. Each time a play makes a mistake they get a letter. The loser is the first player to get all the letters that spell RUGBY. Some teams and coaches have more interesting and colorful words to spell - I'll leave this to you. You can make this game a little harder by reducing the size of the circle or by asking the players to touch their toes before catching the ball. You can also increase the number of balls in the circle. Have fun with this!

Passing

Passing circle

Place 2 players in the centre. Both players pass to those running the circle. Notice that the gap between the passer and the catcher has narrowed because there are now 2 players acting as passers.

Ball Presentation

Rip and present conditioning

Players stand in a inner circle and have an outer circle 5m behind them. 2 players in the middle. one player passes the ball to one of the outside players. The other central player runs at the player with the ball rips the ball off the player and presents the ball to the original passer. This player then passes the ball to another player in the circle and the practice repeats it self.

Contact Skills

Rip and Ruck

Players stand in a circle, about 5 meters apart.Two player, one with a ball, positioned in the centre of the circle.The ball carrier (player 1) runs towards on of the players in the circle and drives into them for about 1 meter.The ball carrier then drops to the ground before presenting the ball for the supportive player (player 2).The supportive player then clears the ball out and passes it to another player in the circle.Player 1 the regains to their feet, moves onto the next player in the circle who has the ball, secures the ball from them, drives forwards a meter, drops to the ground and presents the ball.The drill continues.

Maul

Round the circle Passing

Each group forms a circle with players about 1m apart. First practise passing and catch around the circle. Next, the first player to pass runs around the outside of the circle. The player races against the ball to return to his/her start position.

Passing

Passing circle Passing - Rugby...

Tell your players the following..... There will be 4 players on the outside of the circle, starting at 12, 3, 6, and 9 o'clock positions. There will be one player in the middle. The players on the outside of the circle jog around the circle. The player in the middle will have a ball, and will pass the ball to one of the runners - for them to run onto it. The new ball carrier will pass the ball back to the static player in the middle of the circle. And the same happens again, but the passer cannot bass to the same player twice. Players will have to respond to the calls: SLOW JOG, FAST JOG, FASTER, CHANGE DIRECTION, TOUCH THE GROUD WITH YOUR RIGHT HAND, TOUCH THE GROUND WITH YOUR LEFT HAND, etc. Don't forget to change the static player.

General

Tackling Circle - Conditioning...

Put six cones out around in a circle. One player starts with the ball at the top of the circle. The attacker runs forward and the defender must make the tackle from the angle they're starting from. The defender gets back up, retreats to the next cone and makes another tackle from a different angle.

General

Passing circle Passing - Rugby...

Place 2 players in the centre. Both players pass to those running the circle. Notice that the gap between the passer and the catcher has narrowed because there are now 2 players acting as passers.

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Maul Rip in a circle Practices...

This is good for upper body strength. 5 or 6 defenders, 1 ball, 2 attackers Defenders must stand in a circle about 2 metres apart to keep contact away from injuring anybody unnecessarily. The ball carrier works into a defender who must wrap around and keep hold of the ball, the support attacker must rip the ball from his partner and move onto a different defender for the process to repeat. The 2 attackers are given a time limit to work as hard as possible.

General

Catching - Tennis Circle Catch...

â¢ The aim of the drill is to develop reaction catching skills.

General

Round the circle Passing Passi...

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Round the circle Passing Passi...

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Passing circle Ball Presentati...

Place 2 players in the centre. Both players pass to those running the circle. Notice that the gap between the passer and the catcher has narrowed because there are now 2 players acting as passers.

General

Alcatraz: Jail Break Warm Up -...

This is a great warm-up for defensive and evasion sessions, or it might even be a warm-up that helps you reinforce coaching points made during a previous session. The best bit is that it's fun and relevant to all ages. If you're coaching tag rugby, change the warm-up exercise from contact to tags. One team runs clockwise round the inside of the circle with the other team running anti-clockwise around the outside of the circle. The circle in this case is marked out using blue cones, but you can use whatever colour you like. When the coach shouts 'Jailbreak' the players inside the inner circle try to 'escape' to outside the 10m x 10m square (yellow cones). The size of the square and distance from the circle is a suggestion, play with it a little and let us know your variations! The inside team scores a point for each 'jailbreaker' - swap over. If you have an odd number of players give the defenders the extra man.

General

Passing circle Ball presentati...

Place 2 players in the centre. Both players pass to those running the circle. Notice that the gap between the passer and the catcher has narrowed because there are now 2 players acting as passers.

General

Chasing The Pass Passing - Rug...

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. 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. They win if they make it back before the ball. The players win if they can get the ball back before the runner. 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.

General

Rugby Cricket Fielding Passing...

Coach stands in the middle of a semi circle of 6-10 players, holding a ball.One player throws a ball at the coach, who bats it away using the ball they are holding. This will send the ball off at a strange angle and make it difficult to catch. The person nearest to the ball should catch it.If they drop the ball then they move to the right hand side of the semi circle. The person at the far left of the semi circle at the end wins.

General

Rip and present conditioning W...

General

Rugby: Presenting The Ball In ...

A circle must be set up for player/coach to walk around. The players must be in pairs with one been the attacker and the other the defender. Both players start stomach down however the defender is on top of the attacker and must work to stay on top of the attacker. The coach/player walks around the circle shouting âsetâ at 10-15 second intervals, at the command âsetâ the attacker must move and present the ball with both balls towards the coach/player.

General

The Berlin Wall Warm Up - Rugb...

Tell the players that when you touch the shoulder of a player, they: have to go into the center of the circle, pick up the ball, and try to break out with the ball. The circle must close the gap left by the player that has went into the circle, and bind tight to try and stop the player from leaving. IMPORTANT: The players in the circle must stay bound and cannot use their arms or knees to stop the player trying to exit. The player trying to exit cannot attack the smallest player, nor can they attack sensitive areas of other player's bodies. There must be a sense of fun. The ball carrier should attack the space between the players that are bound on, that space will be very small indeed. The coach walks around the circle taps a player on the shoulder, and lets the fun begin. If the player gets out - well done them. If not, let them rejoin the circle and the select another player. Don't spend too long on this - but the players should enjoy it.

General

Clapping Game Passing - Rugby ...

Tell your players the following. Lets just get the ball moving clockwise for a while, just to get the ball moving through the hands. After a minute or two, lets switch the direction of the ball. After another minute, tell them the ball can go in any direction, but...... The receiver must clap once before catching the ball - and the passing player must move the ball within 5 seconds. The passer can dummy, and if a receiver claps they must do one or more press-ups. If the receiver doesn't clap and receives a ball - they must do one or more press-ups following their pass. You can also play this game using a word like RUGBY. Each time a play makes a mistake they get a letter. The loser is the first player to get all the letters that spell RUGBY. Some teams and coaches have more interesting and colorful words to spell - I'll leave this to you. Have fun with this!

General

Handling Skills Warm Up Warm U...

Groups of four, players stand in a T shape with about two yards between each player.The player in the middle is the focal point and each round is designed to test that middle player as they will be doing the most passing and receiving.Player A - Player BPlayer B - Player CPlayer D - Player BPlayer B - Player DPlayer C - Player BPlayer B - Player APlayer D - Player BPlayer B - Player DThe middle player must receive from the side and pass out the other side.The middle player then plays a one-two return pass with the player opposite.The middle player then receives the ball from the side player they just gave it to and passes it back across to the original passer.Another one-two with the player opposite is then played.Switch positions clockwise after 20/30 seconds.

General

Rip and Ruck Maul - Rugby Dril...

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into contact and give the ball...

circle of players 2 players in the middle one of the player with a ball. The ball carrier has to run into contact with one of the outside player and turn to give the ball to the 2nd player in the middle who has to support very close. On being given the ball the new player with the ball has to run into contact with another player in the circle for the other player to support and get the ball.

General

Bat and Catch Challenge Passin...

Players make a semi circle around the coach, about 3meters away.The coach will have a ball in their hand at all times.One player will also start the drill with a ball in their hands.Player with the ball will pass to the coach who will use the ball in their hands to deflect it to one of the players in the circle.The receiving player will need to catch the ball and pass it back to the coach who will again deflect it to another player.If a ball is dropped by a player, they will have to go to the bottom of the semi-circle.The goal for players is to catch all balls that come their way and end up at the top of the semi-circle.

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Scrum Pass Passing - Rugby Dri...

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Step Back Sevens - Rugby Drill...

Players start at the cones, pass the ball one circuit clockwise and one circuit anticlockwise. Following the two circuits, they take one step back. Thus making the circle bigger. They then repeat the 2 circuits of passing the ball around the circle, before taking another step back. Repeat until the circle is so big that the players are having trouble completing their pass.

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Seven v Three Sevens - Rugby D...

Tell the players the following....... The 7 attackers, will always be in attack. The 3 defenders will always be in defence. Normal rules of 7's apply. Play! Don't forget to change the defenders around.

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Fun Catching Reaction Game Pas...

This is a simple passing exercise that can be used as a warm up to improve players reaction time and catching skills6 players and 1 coach in a circle, and the coach holds a ball at all timesWith the other ball, the players throw to you and (using the ball you're holding) hit the ball back to a different player in the circleThe players will not know who the ball will come to and so must react quickly to catch and then throw back to you to hit to someone elseThe shape of the ball means that even if you aim at someone, it could deflect to another player.

General

The Atom Game Warm Up - Rugby ...

Quickly tell the players that when you blow you whistle and shout Atom, you will also shout a number to let the players know the size of the groups/atoms they need to get into. For example - if you shout Atom six - you want the players to get into groups of six. They should bind on in the groups to create a small circle of players. In between atom calls the players run around the grid in different and random directions. Some players may be left out of some groups/atoms, depending on the size of the groups when you call Atom. If those plays are a little put out by being left out, give them the opportunity to make the next Atom call. Progression: Same as above, but in between Atom calls you play Simon Says e.g. let the players jog around but you call Simon Says put you hand on your head, Simon Says touch the ground with your right hand, Simon says jump up and clap your hands, ATOM 4! T his should be fun, joke a little with the players and have fun with this. You may decide on minor outcomes for players that don't get into groups quick enough e.g. 2 press-ups. You are the referee, so use your judgment.

General

Ping Pong Warm Up - Rugby Dril...

Make sure that your players are holding their tackle shields correctly! Have your players work in groups of 10, adjust depending on your own training goals. Have more than one activity area in order to keep your players moving, standing around watching is not training. If you find that you don't have enough equipment, then have the other groups undertake a different activity. Keep your activity briefing, brief. Give 8 players a tackle shield each, they should form a circle, with around a meter of space (or less) between shields. 2 players in the middle, one of the player with a ball. The ball carrier has to run into contact with one of the outside player and turn to give the ball to the 2nd player in the middle who has to provide close support. On being given the ball the new ball carrier has to run into contact with another player holding a shield, the previous ball carrier is now the support player. The two players in the middle must operate at a high tempo for a preset period of time as defined by the coach. Players can rip and roll, provide and take a pop, provide and take a pass, fall and present, fall and pop, and drive and present on their hip. Contact should last no more than three seconds, keep the tempo high! Change the players in the middle of the circle.

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Passing Grid Passing - Rugby D...

Set up a grid of about 10 x 10Aim to have 12 attackers and 2 defenders3 attackers spread out on each side of the square. One player starts with the ball and runs towards the first defender, before passing off to a supporting attacker, who runs towards the next defender and passes off to the other attacker in the threeThe ball is popped off to the end attacking player on the opposite side of the squareThe same play happens with three new attackers and same two defendersThe ball is then popped off to the side, and play continues until all four groups of attackers have run through twice.Then switch defenders.

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Around The Clock Tackling Tack...

Set up 5 cones around in a circle. The tackler works out from the first cone to make the tackle. The tackler then backtracks around the next and then comes forward to make the tackle again. Two tackles off the right shoulder, one front on and two off the left shoulder.

General

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circle SESSIONS

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circle ANSWERS

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I have taken on an under 7s team - any ideas of what to do?

I have taken on an under 7s team - any ideas of what I could do in the first session with kids whose first time it is with a rugby ball?

Tips for teaching kids to pass?

Tips for teaching kids to pass? Under 7's%3A Posture, feet position, ball holding,action, short and long passes. Any guidance / links to websites please

5 answers

New rules... how best to take long corners ?

Given the lovely new rules... Can you suggest how to coach a team taking long corners. No player can be 5 yards from player taking the long corner - So creating a 2v1 now is impossible. How do you coach this ? Thanks

Grant Hunt Coach, United Kingdom

What is an umberella defensive system? also I would?

What is an umberella defensive system? also I would like some tips on offloading and poaching the ball after making a tackle?

Can you show me how to tackle cleanly?

Mark Thornton Coach, Northern Ireland

I coach U8's and am looking for drills to get them?

I coach U8's and am looking for drills to get them used to tacking other players. They are fine using the tackle bags but are finding it difficult to get used to tackling players

Hi all. I am the coach for the U12s and we are about?

Hi all. I am the coach for the U12s and we are about to enter a tournament this W/E. Does anyone have any pre planned simple fun drills that will link together to keep the players occupied between the Matches? Cheers Iain

Iain Hughes Coach, England

5 answers

4-8year olds activities that aren't boring?

Coaching 4-8year olds and I want activities that aren't boring as they always seem to mess about. Help?

Kick in general play, and bounce of ball

Hi, How do you kick the ball so that it bounces back towards you? Thanks!

Doug Jones Coach, United States of America

Can I and should I coach basic tackle skills to U8s?

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

19 answers

Looking for day 0 skills to teach children?

I am looking for a Day 0 type of session for American children who may have never held a rugby ball. If I move forward with a rugby exhibition/team creation in the neighborhood, I want to make sure I know how/what to teach Day 0. I'm hoping that interest is growing for touch and flag rugby due to the recent in Philadelphia between the USA Eagles and the Maori All Blacks. I was there. It was fantastic. Tickets sold out so fast, I think there will be more of these in the area. Thanks.

5 answers

What is the best way to share playing vocab at this site...

...where it will list and describe playing terminology such as shave, tackle-back, steal, forehand.

Ejaz Syed Coach, United States of America

11 answers

What shall i do for drills, 8-10 year olds

What kind of drills will be good for young player 8-10?

Taylor Suckling Coach, New Zealand

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

Team building activities u12s

u12 boys team.. looking to do 90 min team building session in a hall.. large group of 30. kids and coaches.. any recommendations for activities and games that don't need buying equipment or investment.. that like promote cross friendships..bonding..Communications..fun

Sean bohan Coach, Scotland

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