Contact Help center
Rugby Rugby
HOME Rugby Coaching Trends SEARCH

Rugby: circuit

circuit DRILLS
View All

Agility and Balance Race

Set out a course of cones in pairs, with two pairs of cones at the front and back of the course - two cones go in the middle of the front and back cones, not in line but just to the side. Two cones then go opposite the two cones in the middle on either side. Two players stay at the front of the circuit, standing back facing towards the rest of the cones. On the shout of GO, the players run backwards before turning to face forwards at the first cone, sprinting to the side and running around this cone before sprinting to the top. Here they turn completely around the cone, before sprinting forward to the start.

Agility & Running Skills

Box Back

Tell your players the following..... Pass the ball around, clockwise. After each circuit of the ball, take one half step back and complete another circuit. Keep stepping back until players start to reach their limits in terms of passing distance. Start to work your way back in towards the box. Change the direction of the ball when you get to the box, and do the same working back out again.

Sevens

Clear, Tackle, Hands Circuit.

-4 bags -2 sausages. Put players on each bag, sausage and 2 defenders at the end of the grid. There are 4 working attacking player. Step 1 - Complete 2 shoulder clears on the opposing tackle bags. Step 2 - 2 attackers nominate themselves to tackle the sauages. Step 3 - the 2 support players pick the ball up and try complete the 4v2 (tackling players need to bounce up of feet quickly)

Contact Skills

Contact Skills Circuit

Groups of 2 Bags Balls Contact conditioning 1. Body height clear out work In there groups, do contact hits on each shoulder. Stand 2m apart and take turns doing hits against bag 2. Crocodile role One player lies on top of a tackle sausage (long way round), the group of 4 take turns swapping roles of being tackled and tackler. Focus is the crocodile role. 3. Clear out. One player stands over the top of tackle bag competing for the ball. Other player arrives from 2m away to clear out the player, to prevent the threat of stealing the ball. 3. Bounce and compete Players lay either side of the a ball. When whistle goes, both players bounce off the floor, one competes for the ball while the other focuses on clear out or crocodile role. Do 3 sets of 2mins. Repetitive drill.

Contact Skills

Contact: ruck conditioning

Groups of 10+ Tackle bags Cones step 1 - players perform a down up - chest to the floor. Step 2 - Players make a double shoulder hitbetween 2 bags opposite. Step 3 - active player moves down the line to hit the next group of 2 bags. At the end players start again, aim to do 2/3 min sets then swap the bags.

Contact Skills

Pre-Contact Circuit

Brief your players, but keep it brief! In each grid there will not be two channels. In each of the two channels there are two players with a tackle bag and two players binding with their back to the runner. The players binding will be leaning/driving against a tackle shield (similar to how they would be during a maul). The shield will provide support and resistance just before and during the runners hit. The first player starts and runs to the player with the tackle bag and makes a tackle before moving on. After the 2nd tackle they runs to bind with the 2 players and drives them across the line, their bind should result in their head between the hips of the two players in front of him and his shoulders in contact with the from two players backsides. The players driving position should be low and the hit proportionate. When the 3 players cross the line, one of the 2 binding players takes over and continues to run up the other channel, with the first running player now binding with the other remaining player and taking up a driving position against the shield. Change players around to ensure that every player has an opportunity to play different roles.

Contact Skills

Slalom Running

Set up a running slalom for your players to run through at the end of their training. It should be approximately 10 by 5m in size. Slalom through the blue cones From the final blue cone players run backwards to the 1st red cone Then run forward out to the next red cone, then backwards again (repeat pattern until final red cone) Quick turn around the final red cone and then sprint to the end of the course Jog back to the start line and repeat.

Agility & Running Skills

Step Back

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.

Sevens

Three Player Circuit

The players in their groups of 3 stand between the lines of the inner square with the working group stood inside the other players. The first group of 3 begins by running across the grid passing the ball. When they reach the centre the ball is put down an they then run at the players with the pads (on their left) each pushing their player to the outer square. The players then swap. The pad players run across to the tackle bags and push and tackle the bags to the outer square. Players swap again now the new 3 players (third group) run to the ball pick it up and take the ball turn right to face the 3 players on the 12 o'clock side of the square and run into contact for the ball carrier to present the ball. This ball is then picked up by the 3 players being pushed back and the drill starts again. Keep the tempo of this exercise high. Note: You can change the position of each activity within the training area - but that will impact on the instructions to coaches. Players can basically go in any direction, but they do need to communicate and work as a unit. Don't get to hung up on where players should be going, or in what order.

Contact Skills

Tri-Attack

Tell your players the following...... The first line of attackers move forward, passing the ball down the line. The entire group switches position to the right side of the grid, and attacks as a line. They then attack down the grid through the top of the grid, facing the next line of attack.

Passing

Pre-Contact Circuit Warm Up - ...

Brief your players, but keep it brief! In each grid there will not be two channels. In each of the two channels there are two players with a tackle bag and two players binding with their back to the runner. The players binding will be leaning/driving against a tackle shield (similar to how they would be during a maul). The shield will provide support and resistance just before and during the runners hit. The first player starts and runs to the player with the tackle bag and makes a tackle before moving on. After the 2nd tackle they runs to bind with the 2 players and drives them across the line, their bind should result in their head between the hips of the two players in front of him and his shoulders in contact with the from two players backsides. The players driving position should be low and the hit proportionate. When the 3 players cross the line, one of the 2 binding players takes over and continues to run up the other channel, with the first running player now binding with the other remaining player and taking up a driving position against the shield. Change players around to ensure that every player has an opportunity to play different roles.

General

Wrestling off the floor | Cont...

This is the first exercise in a series of three that can be put together to form a contact conditioning circuit.Alternatively, this would be a great exercise to include as part of a warm up.<li dir=&quot;ltr&quot;>Your players should work in pairs.<li dir=&quot;ltr&quot;>One player lays with his back on the ground and the other lays across him facing down.<li dir=&quot;ltr&quot;>The player with his back on the ground has to work really hard to get back to his feet against the resistance of his partner.This exercise will develop your players core strength and ability to manipulate the body in order to get back to their feet.This drill is simulating aspects of the game such as having to roll away after making a tackle.

General

Tackle conditioning circuit Ta...

2 sausages1 bag 1 ball Step 1 - Low chop tackle on the sausage. Step 2 - Bounce! Track back, chest to floor, do a high.impact bag hit. Step 3 - Run around the bag, pass the ball of the floor, complete a live leg tackle on the attacking player.Next player starts when first player finishes.

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

Clear, Tackle, Hands Circuit. ...

-4 bags-2 sausages. Put players on each bag, sausage and 2 defenders at the end of the grid. There are 4 working attacking player. Step 1 - Complete 2 shoulder clears on the opposing tackle bags. Step 2 - 2 attackers nominate themselves to tackle the sauages. Step 3 - the 2 support players pick the ball up and try complete the 4v2 (tackling players need to bounce up of feet quickly)

General

Contact Skills Circuit Ruck Cl...

Groups of 2BagsBallsContact conditioning 1. Body height clear out workIn there groups, do contact hits on each shoulder. Stand 2m apart and take turns doing hits against bag2. Crocodile roleOne player lies on top of a tackle sausage (long way round), the group of 4 take turns swapping roles of being tackled and tackler. Focus is the crocodile role.3. Clear out.One player stands over the top of tackle bag competing for the ball. Other player arrives from 2m away to clear out the player, to prevent the threat of stealing the ball.3. Bounce and competePlayers lay either side of the a ball. When whistle goes, both players bounce off the floor, one competes for the ball while the other focuses on clear out or crocodile role.Do 3 sets of 2mins. Repetitive drill.

General

Three Player Circuit Warm Up -...

The players in their groups of 3 stand between the lines of the inner square with the working group stood inside the other players. The first group of 3 begins by running across the grid passing the ball. When they reach the centre the ball is put down an they then run at the players with the pads (on their left) each pushing their player to the outer square. The players then swap. The pad players run across to the tackle bags and push and tackle the bags to the outer square. Players swap again now the new 3 players (third group) run to the ball pick it up and take the ball turn right to face the 3 players on the 12 o'clock side of the square and run into contact for the ball carrier to present the ball. This ball is then picked up by the 3 players being pushed back and the drill starts again. Keep the tempo of this exercise high. <em>Note:</em> You can change the position of each activity within the training area - but that will impact on the instructions to coaches. Players can basically go in any direction, but they do need to communicate and work as a unit. Don't get to hung up on where players should be going, or in what order.

General

3 player circuit Warm up - Rug...

This practice is set out with a inner square and a outer square. The players in their groups of 3 stand between the lines of the inner square with the working group stood inside the other players. The first group of 3 starts to run across the grid passing the ball. When they reach the centre the ball is put down and they then run at a players with the pads on their left each pushing their player to the outer square. The players then swap. The pad players run across to the tackle bags and push and tackle the bags to the outer square. Players swap again now the new 3 players (third group) run to the ball pick it up and take the ball turn right to face the 3 players on the 12 o'clock side of the square and run into contact for the ball carrier to present the ball. This ball is then picked up by the 3 players being pushed back and the drill starts again.

General

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.

General

Box Back Sevens - Rugby Drills...

Tell your players the following..... Pass the ball around, clockwise. After each circuit of the ball, take one half step back and complete another circuit. Keep stepping back until players start to reach their limits in terms of passing distance. Start to work your way back in towards the box. Change the direction of the ball when you get to the box, and do the same working back out again.

General

Ball Balance - Core Stability ...

Get in pairs. One player starts in a plank position with a rugby ball placed under each hand trying to stay in the plank position. The other player walks around a gently nudges and pushes the player working. The work aims to stay stable on the balls.

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

Slalom Running Warm Up - Rugby...

Set up a running slalom for your players to run through at the end of their training. It should be approximately 10 by 5m in size.Slalom through the blue conesFrom the final blue cone players run backwards to the 1st red coneThen run forward out to the next red cone, then backwards again (repeat pattern until final red cone)Quick turn around the final red cone and then <em>sprint</em> to the end of the courseJog back to the start line and repeat.

General

Jackal Warm Up - Rugby Drills,...

Groups of 3 BallOne Player lies in a Long placement on the floor. Another player (Jackaler) comes over the top of the player, to compete for ball. Another player pushes, pulls and tries to make the player off balance.

General

SHORT - LONG Sevens - Rugby Dr...

The first group of 4 starts at the top of the grid, moving forward. The ball should be with the outside player, who makes a short pass in to his supporting runner, who then makes a long pass to the next receiver in the other short passing box, they will then make a short pass to the last receiver. The players realign and do the same again in the opposite direction. When they get to the end of the grid, they go around the cones to their starting position, while the next group goes. They should change position in the line, and when ready, they start again.

General

Contact: ruck conditioning Ruc...

Groups of 10+ Tackle bags Conesstep 1 - players perform a down up - chest to the floor. Step 2 - Players make a double shoulder hitbetween 2 bags opposite.Step 3 - active player moves down the line to hit the next group of 2 bags. At the end players start again, aim to do 2/3 min sets then swap the bags.

General

Surfs Up Sevens - Rugby Drills...

Tell the players the following....... Lay flat on the ground. In a moment but not yet, I want you to get to your feet, but you cannot use your knees. You will get up like a surfer, pushing up with your hands and jumping to your feet. It's a race, lets see who can get up first? On your call the place get to their feet and then back down again. When they have got the idea, have some fun with it e.g. last one up sings two lines from their favorite song. But whatever you do has to be fun and not humiliating.

General

Rip and present conditioning C...

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.

General

Choke Tackle Progression Tackl...

5 stage progression session. Bibs.Balls Cones. 1. Warm up - Wrestle One player with the ball trys to fight their hips away from the other play who fights to to keep his/her hips infront of the other player. 2. 50% Side --&gt; Front TacklePlayers start on oppsoite side of grid. Ball Carrier runs across while the defender makes a tall tackle, whist trying to get his hips in a front on position. Low to High hit, aiming for under the elbows or ball. 3. 2nd Defender introduced. Double team tackle. Inside player hits low to high under elbow, keeping hips square. The second player aims for the ball and fights to keeps attacker off the ground. 4. Rugby Netball in 7m x7m grid. Attacking team tries to complete 8 passes while the defending team tries to complete a choke tackle on one of the attacking players. Turn over once a choke tackle has been successfully executed. 5. Contact Game Half pitch contact game, with defending team aiming to complete a choke tackle. Turn over when one is made.

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

Side Wrestle Warm Up - Rugby D...

2 players pair up, site back to back and lock arms together. The coach tells each player to lean a side. when the coach blows hs whistle they players wrestle to get there shoulder to the gorund the coach said. Once one player has won, you must reset and start again.

General

Rugby: Zig Zag Passing Practic...

This exercise is designed to improve quick handling and passing off both hands.Set out four cones in a zig zag shape, with at least two players on each cone.The player on the end cone starts with the ball, and takes a couple of steps forward before passing to the player diagonal to them.This continues along the line. When the player at the other end collects the ball, they pass to the player on the cone next to them (the ball had just arrived from a player on that cone).

General

Shoulder stretch. Agility & Ru...

Raise both arms up to shoulder height.<BR>Keeping both arms straight, start with arm just forward of shoulders.<BR>Bring both arms back behind shoulders as far as possible.<BR>Hold for 15 seconds and repete.

General

The Team Run Sevens - Rugby Dr...

Use half or a full pitch for this exercise. A full team of 7 will run unopposed. Players should use this as a rehearsal of everything that might happen in the game, and therefore should execute all of the following..... Line-outs, and what happen after them. Scrums, and what happens next. All moves. The full attacking patterns. Any kicking strategies, including restarts. When you feel the players are ready, bring in opposition with pads, and then without in full contact.

General

Stuck in the mud Warm Up - Rug...

Groups of 6+ Balls Bibs Cones One player with a ball must run around trying to touch the other players without a ball.If tagged the player must stand like a scarecrow still. The other players must try and rescue him by running under his arms or going through his legs. The tagger wins if all other players are stuck.

General

Calf stretch. Agility & Runnin...

General

Unfortunately there were no results for your search! Please try again
circuit SESSIONS
View All

Contact: Rucking technical session

Master the ?Smash? and the ?Roll? rucking technique so that when the pressure is on and a clear decision needs to be made, clearing the ruck becomes second nature to your players.

Pre-season Burner

Are you up to it physically yet? Really feel the burn with this session and push your team hard! You will really feel the benefits after!

Developing communication and teamwork

Build a culture in your team that gets everybody understanding each other and makes them work hard for their teammate next to them.

Sevens Rugby: Attacking the Space - Pass, Follow and Support

Get your players to use the width of the pitch and play intelligently, offering wide support options in this sevens rugby session.

Pre-Season Prep: Fitness Games and Circuits

Work your players hard with a mixture of fitness games and 10 circuit stations, preparing players for the physical demands of this new season
circuit ANSWERS
View All

Coaching a large team

Hey there everyone. I'm taking on a head coaching role for a collegiate women's side that is about 35-40 players deep. I'm looking for any general planning strategy that can maximize keeping everyone engaged and active in the practice with as little standing around as possible. Any tips or way ahead is greatly appreciated, cheers.

Bob Newbanks Coach, United Kingdom

Coaching a large team - Sportp...

Hey there everyone. I'm taking on a head coaching role for a collegiate women's side that is about 35-40 players deep. I'm looking for any general planning strategy that can maximize keeping everyone engaged and active in the practice with as little standing around as possible. Any tips or way ahead is greatly appreciated, cheers.

Bob Newbanks Coach, United Kingdom

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
defencefitnesstackletag rugbyruckingtouch rugbylineouttagunder 8scrumjunior backline drillspassingwarm uprucktouchlines of running7tacklingmaulsevens

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