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Rugby: cones

cones DRILLS
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3 vs 2 - Sprint to support

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

Decision making

Agility Slalom - Race

Start with 2 players on the centre cone, each with a ball, and facing each other. On the shout "GO", they both run backwards to the first cone They then side step up the grid to the second cone Next players run through the slalom cones back to the start where the ball is passed to the next players Next players can only go when each player has received a ball (to ensure each race is fair).

Agility & Running Skills

Box agility running

Players line up in two groups on the first cone. On GO, the first players side step to the second cone, go around it and run backwards to cone three where they side step the opposite direction to cone four where they turn and sprint back to the start and pass the ball to the next player. When both players have received a ball they repeat the drill Its a good idea to have groups next to each other so they can compete against each other.

Agility & Running Skills

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

Fast Footwork

Setup as shown. 2 groups with one ball per group. The first players in each group sprint to the second blue cone then quickly back step to the first. Then they sprint to the third, back step to the second,, then sprint to the fourth where they side step to the next cone. At that cone, they sprint forwards to the next cone then side step to the last cone which they turn around and sprint back to the start and pass the ball to the next player.

Agility & Running Skills

Hula Slalom Relay

On the coach's call players run through the slalom. As they pass each cone they have to pass the ball around their waists.

Handling

Leave No Man Behind

Players start in the bottom right corner and on the command sprint as a group before doing 5 press ups. They advance as a defensive line, moving as fast as the slowest player. They never leave a player behind. They then side step (push as a defensive line) left to the next set of cones to do 5 sit ups before sprinting to do press ups. The group follow this routine until the end before the next group go.

Agility & Running Skills

Passing Race

Using just one hand they should pass the ball to each other. The pass should come from on, or behind the hip. They should make 10 passes on one hand, and then 10 passes on the opposite hand. That's it, lets get going - it's a race.  Any dropped balls - and your group has to start again. That's it, get working.

Handling

Race to cone - 3 v 2

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

Decision making

Square - Improve reactions

Players stand on a blue cone. On Go, the player passes the ball and sprints out to the nearest cone in the middle then back steps back to the next blue cone in line.

Handling

Cone Agility Warm Up - Rugby D...

From the start position, run out to the centre set of cones. Quickly move sideways to the left set of cones and then move quickly sideways to the right set of cones. Return sideways to the center set of cones and then run quickly backwards to the start position.

General

Continuous passing onto cones ...

Players line up at least 2 or 3 behind a cone. The ball starts at one end with the player running up to the cone in front of him and passing to the next player waiting on the cone. As a player has passed he must quickly run around the grid and fall back into position. The Ball is constantly within the grid moving from right to left.

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

Switch Drill Passing - Rugby D...

Drill to practice inside running lines (switches) in attack.Set up a 10m x 10m square (green cones) with two attackers (blue) on one side of the square, and one defender (red) on the other side of the square on the left hand side (see diagram).The attacker with the ball runs forward, then diagonally across the square towards the diagonally opposite cone, to get the defender to chase him.The second attacker also runs forward, then switches back across the square towards where the defender has come form.The ball carrier turns towards his outside and passes to the other attacker who is running a switch. They then score over the try-line marked by the green cones.If the defender holds for the switching player, the ball carrier should continue running and score over the try-line marked by the green cones.

General

Continuous Passing Square 1 Pa...

Set up 4 cones in a square, and get the players to form equal lines behind each cone.The ball starts with a player on one cone who runs towards the cone to his right and passes the ball across the square to a player from the next cone running onto the ball. He catches the ball and continues his run, passing the ball to someone from the next cone running onto the ball.Change the direction which the ball is goingProgressions:Get the players to change direction on your command (shout/whistle)Multiple balls at a timeAs a group must complete 10 successful passes before the session can move on, every time a ball is dropped the whole group does an exercise (e.g. 10 press ups).

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

Race to cone - 3 v 2 Decision ...

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

General

Channel & Lane Running Passing...

<span style=&quot;background-color: transparent;&quot;>Set up a 8 channels of cones 5 metres apart<span style=&quot;background-color: transparent;&quot;>A group of 4 players start on the side line, and all players need to work around the nearest/corner cone.<span style=&quot;background-color: transparent;&quot;>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 channels<span style=&quot;background-color: transparent;&quot;>The 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.<span style=&quot;background-color: transparent;&quot;>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.<br>

General

Fast Hands Passing - Rugby Dri...

Drill to practice fast, accurate passing.Set up a T shape with 3 cones roughly 5m away from the central cone (see diagram)One player stands on each cone, the player in the middle of the T is the player who works (yellow).The players on the outside (blue) take it in turns to pass to the working player (yellow), who must catch the ball and pass it to the free player on the edge (see video.PROGRESSIONS:Start slowly and increase the pace at which the players pass to the working player, giving them less time to catch and pass the ballIncrease the distance that the working player must pass the ball.

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

Agility cones Warm up - Rugby ...

From the start position, run out to the centre set of cones. Quickly move sideways to the left set of cones and then move quickly sideways to the right set of cones. Return sideways to the center set of cones and then run quickly backwards to the start position.

General

3v2 School - Rugby Drills, Rug...

Set up two lines of 3 cones, about 10 meters apart, with players on each of the three cones. On the coach's whistle players play out a 3v2 (always 3 attackers and 2 defenders). Defenders should look initially to defend the first 2 attackers.

General

Switch Over Attack Passing - R...

Drill to practice attacking organisational skillsSet up a grid roughly 20m wide and 20m long, with different coloured cones at one end and 5m away from that end (see diagram).3 defending players line up at one end (blue players between white cones) and 5m infront of them 4 attacking players line up (red players between green cones). One further defender waits at the opposite end of the grid.On the coaches command the three defending players run to the green cones and turn to defend. Meanwhile the four attacking players run to the white cones and turn to attack, receiveing the ball from the coach (grey). They are trying to score at the far end of the grid (red cones).Once the attack have beaten the defensive line the final defender may move forward off the try line (red cones) and try and defend.

General

Four Player Continuous Passing...

<span style=&quot;background-color: transparent;&quot;>A quick drill to focus the players before going into a session or at the start of a match day warm up. <span style=&quot;background-color: transparent;&quot;>The aim of the drill is to develop early hand-catch, quick and accurate transfer of the ball to a support player.<span style=&quot;background-color: transparent;&quot;>Set 4 cones 3-5 meters apart on the 5 meter line. This will mark the starting point for your players. <span style=&quot;background-color: transparent;&quot;>Set up cones opposite on the try line<span style=&quot;background-color: transparent;&quot;>Ask your players to line up behind each cone.The ball carrier runs out to the cone opposite and passes to the next playerOnce the player on the end receives the ball, the drill changes direction and the ball goes back in the direction it came from<br><br><br>

General

Baseball Kicking - Rugby Drill...

Set up a pitch area (green cones) based on the age of the players (depending on how far they can kick) with fielders spread out around the pitch. (E.g. senior players may need half a pitch whereas 20m x 20m may be big enough for a beginner).Set up a diamond by setting up cones roughly 10m apart (blue) similar to a baseball pitch, with kickers lined up on one side.One player/coach is the feeder in the middle of the diamond. He stands on the white cone and passes the ball to the kicker who catches it and then almost immediately kicks the ball, aiming for space.Once he has kicked the ball he tries to run around the diamond to score points.The kicker is out:Caught - their kick is caught on the full.Stumped - a fielder touches the ball on the cone that the kicker is running to.Out of bounds - if their kick goes out of the area of the pitch on the full.PROGRESSION:Make the feed harder (roll or a difficult pass to catch)Widen the cone diamond so the kicker has to run furtherKicker has to do a press up on each cone before continuing to the next oneEncourage defenders to work off the ball - they must pass the ball three times before stumping someone out.

General

123 Play Divots Warm Up - Rugb...

 The Moles want to turn the cones onto their head, and the Green-keepers want the cones the right way up. Let the kids play, you can start the game by shouting '123 Play Divots!'. After playing for some time, lets find out who is winning - but don't take too long counting. Now tell the players that they must do one press-up before turning a cone - let the game start again. Play for another minute or two.

General

Staying square and fixing defe...

Groups of 6+ BallsSausages/BagsCones Players line up opposite the trinagle of cones set up on the floor with ball in hand. Player runs at the black cone, as the player runs the coach shouts either yellow or red (cones). The player with ball then reactes to the colour called and steps to attack that cone. When reached trhe cone the player must perform a pass back the direction they came to player waiting to recieve.

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

Rugby: Speed pass challenge - ...

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

General

4 vs 1 vs 1 Decision making - ...

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

General

Fast Feet Drill Agility & Runn...

The ball carrier from each team runs out to the cone and runs backwards on the return before passing to the next playerFirst team to get all players back to original start position wins.<BR>

General

Rugby: Continuous Passing off ...

Set up a square with cones, making one side of the square with two gates of cones. Get the players to line up evenly behind the two individual cones (See diagram - 1 and 2)The player with the ball runs out and puts the ball down between the green cones, once he has put the ball down he runs and joins the back of his line. The player behind him in the queue follows him and passes the ball off the floor to a player running onto the ball from the next line (2), once he passes the ball he runs and joins the back of his line. The receiver of the pass also has a partner running behind him so when he puts the ball down between the green cones his partner can pass it to the next person in the opposite line. Both run and join the back of their line and the drill continues...After a period of time swap over the lines so players practice passing in both directionsProgressions:Instead of placing the ball on the floor, go to ground and present itInstead of working in partners, work in threes - the ball carrier goes to ground, the second player gets in a position to clear our any defenders, and the third person passes the ball off the floor. Add in a defender with a hit shield or a live defender to make a tackle but then be passive in the ruck.

General

1v1 evasion Agility & Running ...

2 players start on opposite end of a 5x5m block On the whistle they run down the line, turn the corner, The player with the ball must try and beat the defender with his feet

General

Agility Slalom Agility & Runni...

The first player runs around the red cone and back down to the start of the slalom. There the player zig-zags up the slalom, then back down before running around the second red cone and down to the second group of players where the ball is passed to the next player Important no more then a max of 3 players per slalom to make sure that there is lots of activity.

General

Drop Off Passing - Rugby Drill...

4 cones with 2 balls.Players start running at the same time and when the meet in the middle, the blue players give a drop off pass to the red player before both continuing their run to the opposite end to which they started.

General

Relays continued Passing - Rug...

1) Run out to a cone - round cone back to the team 2) Run out to a different cone but back to your own team. 3) Dribble ball with your feet up to the line - dive on ball - pick up ball and run back.

General

Pressure Cooker Passing - Rugb...

4 players stand on the middle cones in the grid, avoiding the corner cones. The 2 players at the top and the bottom of the grid will have a ball. The players on the sides of the grid will have one ball between them. The 5th player will be the ball carrier. The ball carrier starts at the top of the grid facing the bottom. Moving forward they will take a pass off one of the middle players and pass the ball onto the other middle player. They will then collect a pass off the player in front of them, before popping the ball back to them. They will then turn and once again collect a pass off one of the middle players before moving it on to the other middle player. They then take a pass off the top player before popping it back and starting the exercise again. They keep going until told to switch with another player. The player in the middle can turn and flick the ball to the static players at the top and bottom of the grid, as well as popping the ball.

General

Tackling Star Tackling - Rugby...

Drill to practice making multiple tackles in a period of time.Set up a circle of 6 cones with a padman opposite each cone (between 2m and 5m away).Players starts on a cone in the centre of the drill (as pictured) and run forward to tackle the padman. On completing the tackle they run back to the centre of the drill and move clockwise to the next cone. On the coache's call they run forward to tackle the next padman, returning to the centre of the drill after completing the tackle and move clockwise to the next cone.The drill continues until the players have tackled each bagman or at the coaches discretion.

General

Hurdles and Ladder Agility & R...

SAQ (Speed, Agility, Quickness) drill for warm ups, handling the ball and warming up muscles. 4 or 5 small SAQ hurdles, 1 ladder Make up course of your choice and run through giving various commands. After the ladder you can put two cones left and right about 2 metres ahead to give commands left or right etc.

General

Cone Crawling Contact Conditio...

Players start in a bear crawl position with a cone on their back. They should crawl 5-10 metres forwards and then back whilst keeping the cone stable. Focus on staying low in a strong body position, perfect to warm up for tackling.

General

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cones DRILL CATEGORIES
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Agility & Running Skills
Agility & Running Skills
cones SESSIONS
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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

Conditioning for Attacking Patterns of Play

Keep this session up your sleeve - Get things going with a half hour conditioning introduction and then progress onto Attacking Patterns!
cones ANSWERS
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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?

Archived User Coach

How to begin coaching when the sport is not popular?

How to begin coaching when the sport is not popular and many of player candidates are not familiar with rugby ? What is key of initiation ? How to start from white paper ?

Narek Sargsyan Coach, Armenia

Im starting coaching Under 6s what drills and games?

Im starting coaching Under 6s what drills and games work best?

Nick Begy Coach, England

How would you help a 17yr old scrum half understand about not taking all the good ball on himself,this has just started creeping into his game

 a

Archived User Coach

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.

Archived User Coach

drills to improve the flat line technique

teahcing primary school kids and could use some drills

Archived User Coach

U10s organisation in defence. How to improve?

I have started an under 10s team up, and I would say about 8 from the 13 children I have , did not play rugby until about 6 months ago. Of these players, there seems to be a lot of potential, as we are scoring tries against teams, that very rarely concede tries.the problem I got with them, is that we are very poor at organising our selves in defense when the opposition has the ball, which does result in us conceding quite a few tries. We have some very good tacklers in the team. Can anyone offer some ideas on how I can get them to organise themselves? Thanks . Chris.

christopher jenkins Coach, Wales

Warm up to improve agility, balance and coordination?

Can anyone recommend a warm up drill for improving agility, balance and coordination?Currently attending level 1 introducing children to rugby; I have some ideas already in mind. I'm interested to hear other ideas.Thanks

Matthew Langtree Coach, United Kingdom

Improve Attack Depth

My players often line-up too flat on attack, especially in later phases. How can I work on improving their depth?

Shaun F Coach, Canada

good tackling drill that is not too hard or impact??

For school assignment, i am teaching 12-13 year old girls rugby and need tackling drills

Erin Chant Coach, Australia

Getting a straight defensive line and speed

Hi. I coach a B level under 12 team at school with very mixed abilities. I cant get my boys to get up in a defensive line together or even come up in defense. Any drill very much appreciated.

James Pattinson Coach, Australia

working on passing backwards within primary and secondary

any ideas of drills that can be used for primary and secondary pupils for passing backwards? currently having an issue with them staying onside and keeping behind the ball carrier

Alex Seager Coach, England

need to get back into sport

im currently injured and have been for the past 10\11 months and I will be for the next 7 months would be great to get some drills working on my stepping for when I get back to playing

ben leach Coach, England

passing

drills for passing with u8s

Poppy R Coach, United Kingdom

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

KICKI

MAY YOU PLEASE SHOW ME AN EXAMPLE OF A KICKING AND PASSING DRILL

lindiwe Coach, South Africa

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