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follow the leader DRILLS
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Follow the Leader

6 players and 1 ball in a coned area. Player A leads with the ball, and the other 5 players follow. Player A runs and changes direction within the coned area. Coach shouts change and player A passes the ball to player B to become the leader. The drill continues and player A joins the back of the line. The drill is continuous until all players have lead the line.

Practices for Juniors

Follow The Leader

Large Grid 20m x 20m. Players in groups of 5 with one ball per group The leader with the ball can run in any direction. The rest of the group must follow like a snake. When the teacher calls Pass, the leader must stop, hold the ball out to the side so the next player can take the ball from their hands and continue running. The leader then joins the back of the group.

Tag Rugby

Follow the leader

Large Grid 20m x 20 m Players in groups of 5 1 Ball per Group Leader of the group can run in any direction, the rest must follow. When the teacher calls "Pass", the leader has to step to the side and pop passes it to the next player or passes it over his head. The person who was the leader joins the back of the queue.

Tag Rugby

Follow The Leader Tag Rugby - ...

Large Grid 20m x 20m. Players in groups of 5 with one ball per group The leader with the ball can run in any direction. The rest of the group must follow like a snake. When the teacher calls Pass, the leader must stop, hold the ball out to the side so the next player can take the ball from their hands and continue running. The leader then joins the back of the group.

General

Follow the Leader Practices fo...

6 players and 1 ball in a coned area. Player A leads with the ball, and the other 5 players follow. Player A runs and changes direction within the coned area. Coach shouts change and player A passes the ball to player B to become the leader. The drill continues and player A joins the back of the line. The drill is continuous until all players have lead the line.

General

Follow the leader Tag Rugby - ...

Large Grid 20m x 20 mPlayers in groups of 51 Ball per GroupLeader of the group can run in any direction, the rest must follow. When the teacher calls "Pass", the leader has to step to the side and pop passes it to the next player or passes it over his head. The person who was the leader joins the back of the queue.

General

Relays Tag Rugby - Rugby Drill...

<br>Groups of 5<br>1 Ball per group<br>Players race to a line 10m away and back to their own group to hand over to the next player in the relay.1. Run to the line and score a try then run back.<br>2. Pass the ball around the body twice whilst running.<br>3. Throw the ball in the air, and clap before catching and returning to the group.<br>4.Pass the ball between the legs whilst striding to the line.

General

Lesson 3 Layout Tag Rugby - Ru...

General

Touchdown relay Practices for ...

5 players all with a ball line up along a coned area. They run out and touch the ball down halfway, leaving the ball on the ground. The players continue to run to the end of the coned area, touch the ground with their hand, turn and run back picking the ball up on the way, and then pass to their partner. The drill is repeated with the next set of players. The drill can be developed by racing against each other.

General

Keep Ball Tag rugby - Rugby Le...

Groups of 5. Grid 10 m x 10 m and 1 Ball per group. 4 Players work as a team to make 10 passes. Defender tries to tag a player who is holding the ball. Either rotate the defenders or if caught the tagged player becomes the next defender.

General

Find The Space Tag rugby - Rug...

Combine 4 grids to make one large 20m x 20m grid. Players work individually Players run in any direction in the grid trying to avoid contact by running into space. When the teacher calls stop, all players must be 1m from the nearest player. Work for 1 minute then change the defender

General

Chain Reaction Tag rugby - Rug...

Divide the 20m x 20m grid in half. 1 Ball per groupPlayers 1 starts standing with the ball. Player 2 starts on one knee. Player 3 starts on both knees. Player 4 lies on their front. Player 5 lies on their back.On the teachers call, all players try to start running forward as quickly as possible, and pass the ball along the line. The starting positions should mean that every pass is made to a player supporting from behind.

General

Find The Space Tag Rugby - Rug...

Make one large 20m x 20m grid. Players work individually and must run in any direction in the grid, trying to avoid contact by running into space. When the coach calls stop, all players must be at least 1m from the nearest player.

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Zoom - Cruse - Zoom Sevens - R...

It's important that the defence does the following...... They have numbers, so press up fast but..... Slow down when space is closed, listen to the leader, and assess what is happening. Go in hard when a decision is made to do so. So they ZOOM UP FAST, SLOW, ZOOM TO THE HIT.

General

Track Sevens - Rugby Drills, R...

One of the players in a group of 4 should be an attacker, and should take the pad. The other 3 players will be defenders. The attacker will start at the top of the grid, and the defenders start at the bottom, one behind the other, see the diagram. Tell the players the following..... The attacker will advance, trying to avoid contact. The opposite defender should track and hit the pad. They players reset, and the next player goes. Don't forget to change the player on the pad.

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Push Push 3 Sevens - Rugby Dri...

Tell the players the following...... When the attack advances the defenders PRESS UP on the attack. The attackers must pass the ball down the line, no inside passes. The defenders PUSH/DRIFT across pushing the attack towards the sideline. When the attack reaches the end of the grid, if it reaches the end - the attack turn and sets - as does the defence. The exercise restarts. This is a full contact exercise. Don't forget to switch defenders into attack.

General

Bank Robbers Warm Up - Rugby D...

Keep your player briefing, brief! Tell the players the following laws for this exercise..... Players must start the game behind the outer cone of their corner and only one of them can enter the grid at any one time. This game works on a relay basis, one and only one player in the grid from each group at a time - and the next player must be touched before they may enter the playing area. While balls are in the center of the grid, one relay robber from each team can enter the grid to steel a ball from the center of the grid and bring it back to their own box or bank. If all the balls in the center of the grid have been stolen, teams can now steel each others balls - but the same relay rules apply. The winning team is the team that can get 4 balls into their box. Adjust this to allow your players to experience success or to make the game harder. You can add or remove balls to make the game harder or easier. No cheating! Only one ball can be carried at a time, only one player from each team in the grid, and you cannot go until tagged.

General

Four Handed Touch Warm Up - Ru...

The following are the laws for this game: Equal number of defenders and attackers. Use bibs to identify both teams. Normal laws of rugby apply; a knock on etc. results in a turn over. The attacking team gets 8 touches before the ball has to be turned over. Change this to suit your training goals. It would be ok to have unlimited touches, changing the defence and attack after a set period of time. A player is touched only when two defenders have all four hands on them, if this is not the case - the attacker can play on. Defenders cannot hold the attacker, nor can the attacker use significant force to push through defenders. If a player is touched: they stop, set the ball down, stand over it, and the scrum half is allowed to move the ball again to restart the attack. The defence must remain onside following a touch. Only when the support player passes the ball out can the defence press up on the attack. If the defence goes offside or operates illegally, the attack gains 10 meters. Don't forget to switch the teams around. There is no kicking.

General

Push Push 2 Sevens - Rugby Dri...

Tell the players the following...... When the attack advances the defenders PRESS UP on the attack. The attackers must pass the ball down the line, no inside passes. The defenders PUSH/DRIFT across pushing the attack towards the sideline. When the attack reaches the end of the grid, if it reaches the end - the attack turn and sets - as does the defence. The exercise restarts. This is a full contact exercise. Don't forget to switch defenders into attack.

General

Go To Goal Touch Warm Up - Rug...

The following are the laws for this game: Normal laws of rugby apply; a knock on etc. results in a turn over. The attacking team gets 8 touches before the ball has to be turned over. Change this to suit your training goals. It would be ok to have unlimited touches, changing the defence and attack after a set period of time. A player is touched only when the defender has made a two handed touch, you can change this to one hand if you wish. Defenders cannot hold the attacker, nor can the attacker use significant force to push through defenders. Defenders who make a touch run to the furthest in goal area and back before being back to re-join the defensive line. You will find that several defenders will be making their way forward and back at any given time. If an attacking player is touched while in posession of the ball: they stop, set the ball down, stand over it, and the scrum half is allowed to move the ball again to restart the attack. The defence must remain onside following a touch. Only when the support player passes the ball out can the defence press up on the attack. If the defence goes offside or operates illegally, the attack gains 10 meters. Don't forget to switch the teams around. Tries only, no conversions - keep the game tempo high. There is no kicking.

General

Path Of Least Resistance Warm ...

In this example we will play one touch offload, but remember you can change the version of touch to suit your training goals, applying the same mismatch strategy. Tell the players we are going to play one touch off-load, the normal laws of rugby apply. Any forward passes etc. will result in the ball being turned over. When a player is touched, they must pass right away without delay. A delay will result in the ball be turned over. Alternative: You might decide that one team will play 5 minutes in attack no matter what - and 5 minutes in defense. They have unlimited touches, you can change this depending on your training goals. Tell the players the defenders in the different coloured bibs don't have the ability to make a touch that counts. That doesn't mean that they don't try! If you are an attacker, and if you are touched by one of those players, keep going. You can start the game with lots of players on the defense wearing mismatch bibs, and reduce it as the session develops. Let them play - don't tell them what it's all about. Let them discover, remember this is the warm-up!

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. <em>Progression:</em> 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

It's All Rip and Roll To Me! W...

You may consider these two points when looking to challenge or build confidence. Keep your player briefing, brief! It's best not to have your players standing around listening to you - let them play, let them discover. Split your players into two teams, giving each team their own set of coloured bibs. Normal laws of rugby apply e.g. if you knock the ball on - then it's turned over to the opposition. When touched the ball carrier must turn, a support player will drive onto the ball ripping and rolling or ripping and popping to another attacking player. The defender that made the original touch cannot make a second touch on the player who rips and rolls. The defenders should act as they normally would during a match. If the ball goes into touch, the put-in should be quick. If that can't be the case - the point of the put in becomes the offside line and the defenders must remain behind that line. The ball must go at least 5 meters and can travel straight or backwards. There is no kicking in this game. You decide on a number of touch options e.g. unlimited touches, 4/8 touches, or make it a little more complex with 4 rip and pop touches, and 4 rip and roll touches (this last option forces the team to employ both tactics or lose the ball). Don't be afraid to experiment with different law variations and let us know what worked for you!

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

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. <em>IMPORTANT:</em> 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

Scoring Zones Warm Up - Rugby ...

Be brief when telling the players the laws of this game, it's important to get them moving quickly. This is not a contact game. Break your players into two teams, giving each team their own colour of bibs if necessary. One team goes to attack, and one to defense. Nominate a Scrum Half for each team. There is no kicking in this game. Normal laws of rugby apply e.g. a forward pass will result in the ball being turned over to the opposition. If an attacking player is touched: they must go to ground, present the ball, two of their teammates ruck over (staying over the ball), and the Scrum Half moves the ball for the next phase of attack.The defence must commit three players to every ruck, or risk an infringement which will see tem pushed back ten meters. The ball must be moved from the ruck within 5 seconds. Make sure that the defense is employing your defensive pattern around the ruck.  Throughout the game the coach call the point of attack e,g, attack RED ZONE or Zone 2. The coach can also call the scoring zone, Score At Zone Yellow or Zone 3. As the game progresses have the players call the point of attack, and the scoring zones - but they must do this early and they must committ to that attack for a period of time. Have attacking players do what they normally would at the ruck. Depending on your goals decide on the number of touches you wish to allow e.g. unlimited is not a bad option as mistakes will be made! On a mistake or after a period of time, turn the ball over so that both teams get time in attack and defence. Don't hesitate to shape the game to focus on your session goals, and let us and other coaches know what worked for you!

General

Another Defender Bites The Dus...

Normal laws of rugby apply; a knock on etc. results in a turn over. The attacking team gets unlimited touches. A player is touched only when the defender has made a two handed touch, you can change this to one hand if you wish. Defenders cannot hold the attacker, nor can the attacker use significant force to push through defenders. Defenders who make a touch go to the touchline where an assistant coach will have an activity waiting for them, doesn't have to be fitness related - a passing activity will be fine. They stay there until the attack scores. As each defender leaves the pitch, the attacker has an increasing advantage in terms of numbers and available space. If a player is touched: they stop, set the ball down, stand over it, and the scrum half is allowed to move the ball again to restart the attack. The defence must remain onside following a touch. Only when the support player passes the ball out can the defence press up on the attack. If the defence goes offside or operates illegally, the attack gains 10 meters. Don't forget to switch the teams around and to count how many defending players are on the pitch when the attack scores. he winning team is the team that can score with the most defenders on the pitch. Tries only, no conversions - keep the game tempo high. There is no kicking.

General

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follow the leader ANSWERS
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Junior rugby captain role - an...

Have you got any hints and tips that can be passed onto a captain for under 12s? He needs to get past the shouting encouragement part and learn how to lead the team.

Andy Graham Coach, England

my club has a problem with the...

my club has a problem with the seniors. Numbers at training are low every week, I know there is not a quick solution so how can i create a good culture of training ?

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