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Rugby: keep the ball

keep the ball DRILLS
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2 x Hit then pass

Set up the practice as shown inside a 30m x 30m Grid. 6 Shields and 1 Ball. Player 1 carries the ball before passing the ball to player 2 who bursts through the shields. Once through the other side, 2 passes to 3 and receives a return pass before bursting through the next set of shields Once they are through the last two players with shields can move and try and block the runners. Player 2 has the option to pass to either player or go it alone.

Contact Skills

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

Find the space

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 at least 1m from the next nearest player. Pass the ball around your back at the same time. Option: throw the ball in the air and catch as you run around

Handling

Relay Passing Race

With each new instruction to players you'll be having a race, lets see which group is the fastest - no cheating! Don't spend too much time talking, get the players into their groups quickly and tell them to do the following: Pass the ball between your legs to the person behind you - keep going until the ball reaches the end of the line. Same thing as above, but this time when the ball reaches the end of the line, the player at the end runs the ball back and the ball starts the same journey again. This is repeating until the every player has run from the back to the front of the line. Same idea but this time under legs then next person passes over head, next under legs (under/over/under etc.) Same idea but twist hips to pass to person behind first to the left then to the right - back person runs to front. As above but just over the head. Progress this with your own ideas e.g. pass to the person behind you with one hand etc. This warm-up should be full of fun.

Warm Up

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

Standing and Passing - Variation

Keep your player briefing, brief! Tell your players the folloiwng......... Players should be moving, staying around 5 meters part - running with the ball and attacking space. After the first catch - pass ball around body. After the second catch - pass ball through legs from front and behind left leg. After the third catch - pass ball through legs from front and behind right leg. You might consider asking players to pass the ball with just one hand, off their hip

Passing

Standing and Passing

Keep your player briefing, brief! Tell your players the folloiwng......... Players should be 5m apart. After the first catch - pass ball around body. After the second catch - pass ball through legs from front and behind left leg. After the third catch - pass ball through legs from front and behind right leg. You might consider asking players to pass the ball with just one hand, off their hip.

Passing

Ten passes then...

Keep your player briefing, brief! Tell your players the folloiwng......... Players should be moving, staying around 5 meters part - running with the ball and attacking space. Players make 10 passes and then: Make figure 8 between legs. Partner does the same after another 10 passes. 10 passes then throw ball up and make a 360 degree turn to catch it before it hits the floor. 10 passes then throw ball overhead and catch it behind back. You might consider asking players to pass the ball with just one hand, off their hip

Handling

Union Jack

Divide the players so that they are spread equally between 8 points (4 corners of a square, and 4 more at the midpoints. Each ball carrier runs across the square to the opposite point and passes the ball to the next waiting player

Agility & Running Skills

Keep The Ball Game Sevens - Ru...

Tell your players the following: One group of two players will be defenders, you might want to give them bibs. The attackers just need to keep the ball moving without getting touched while holding the ball. The passes can be forward. Attackers can move around the training area. If a player gets touched while holding the ball they and their partner become the defenders - the old defenders become attackers. If the ball is dropped, the pass is bad, or goes outside the training area - the player that made the mistake and their partner become the new defenders, replacing the old defence. This should be fun, but players should strive to control the ball, moving it into space and away from the defence.

General

Keep Ball Tag Rugby - Rugby Dr...

Players work in groups of 5 in a grid 10m x 10m, with 1 Ball per group. 4 Players work as a team to make 10 passes. The defender tries to tag a player who is holding the ball. Either rotate the defenders or if caught and then the tagged player becomes the next defender.

General

Keep Passing Sevens - Rugby Dr...

Tell your players the following..... 3 players start on the right cones. The remaining 3 players will be running, they start at the top of the grid. The runner take the first ball off the player standing at the first cone, they pass it down the line while advancing to the second cone. At the same time the player on the cone, who passed the first ball, runs to the second cone on a loop to retake the ball. They remain at that cone for the runners to return. The same thing happens at the second and third cones. When the attack gets to the bottom of the grid, and they have finished all 3 lateral passing tasks - they turn and go again. Change the runners and players on the cones when you're ready.

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

Mini Game - Skills Game Ball h...

In this game players try to keep possession and carry the ball over their opponent's line to score a try.

General

Maul Rip in a circle Practices...

This is good for upper body strength. 5 or 6 defenders, 1 ball, 2 attackers</ br> 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

10 Pass game Warm Up - Rugby D...

2 teams  Bibs  Balls  One team must try and complete 10 passes in a small grid.  When the player has the ball in his hand he cannot move, the other team must try to intercept the ball to stop them completing 10 passes.  Defending team must stand 1 metre away from ball carrier. If the ball is dropped or intercepted its a turn over.  If a team knock the ball down its a knock on and the same attacking team keep the ball. 

General

z Drop Kick Kicking - Rugby Dr...

General

Two Man Piggy In The Middle Pa...

Tell your players the following...... Two players will be defenders, it's their job to try and intercept the ball. The rest of the players will be passers, it's their job to keep the ball away from the defenders and to keep the ball moving. If a defender gets the ball, they become a passer - and the passes becomes the defender. That's it - lets get playing! Don't forget to change the defender if they stay in place for too long.

General

Lineout Throw - Heavy Ball Lin...

The aim of the exercise is to develop core activation buy pulling your core in and at the same time fire your glutes forward and squeeze them tight, this is the activation movement we are looking for when we throw the ball this will then keep you in a strong position.

General

Lateral - Switch Passing - Rug...

Using cones, mark out a training area 15 meters x 10 meters. Split your players into groups of 2. Allocate 4 groups of 2 to each training area. If you can, give each group of two their own ball. Have enough training areas to keep all of your players as busy and active as possible. Tell your players the following...... Players in pairs with a ball between them. The player on the left starts with the ball and passes the ball to the player to the right. The player with the ball then runs diagonally across the grid, while the player without the ball crosses/switches over behind the ball carrier, ready to receive the ball at the next cone. They continue passing left to right and crossing over in each grid until they reach the end. Once at the end they run back to the start to the right of the grid, practicing the same skill on the way back but without cones to guide them. <span style=&quot;text-decoration: underline;&quot;><em>Progression</em>: Add in a defender with a ruck shield, just to add a little pressure.

General

Loop (L1,L2,L3) Passing - Rugb...

Keep your player briefing, brief! It's important to get your players working as quickly as possible. Lets get the ball and the players moving with lateral passing through the hands. Each training area only needs one ball, and that ball should start with the any of the two players at the very ends of the L. Tell players to move forward, passing the ball down the line. When the ball gets to the last receiver, that player will pass it to the first receiver in the next line that is waiting to go. They should advance right away. Allow the players to simply move the ball down the lines, don't mention the Miss Pass. After you feel the players are comfortable, tell them...... Any player can now call an L1,L2,L3,L4 - depending on their position in the attacking line. This means that they can pass and loop round the back of the rest of the attack to collect the ball and continue the attack. An example of this would be: L2, player passes, loops around two other players, and collects the ball in attack. Allow the players to discover, though questioning, the best possible way of executing and calling the (L) move. Players should change position in the line after each run.

General

Quick Ball/ Offload Touch Tag ...

Once an attacker is touched they must offload within one second. You can start the game so that players have to pass the ball in front of defenders and then later progress the drill and ask them to pass from behind the defence, by taking two steps past the defender, before offloading. Question players on what they consider to be the most effective option when attacking?

General

L With Defenders Passing - Rug...

Keep your player briefing, brief! It's important to get your players working as quickly as possible. Lets get the ball and the players moving with lateral passing through the hands. Each training area only needs one ball, and that ball should be with any of most players. Tell players to move forward, passing the ball down the line - they do not need to wait on any call by you. When the ball gets to the last receiver, that player will pass it to the first receiver in the next line - they should advance without delay. Allow the players to moving the ball along the lines. After you feel the players are comfortable, tell them that they can be as creative as they like with respect to passing e.g. miss passes, switches etc. Introduce one defender, let the defender drift - but they must start from around 10 meters back. When you are happy with one defender, add two, and finally three defenders. Keep the same defenders in place for a about 10 attacks, then rotate. Allow the players to discover, though questioning, the best possible way to respond to what they see in terms of moving the ball. Players should change positions in the line after each run. Don't forget to change out the defenders.

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

Traffic Passing Warm Up - Rugb...

This passing exercise will keep large groups of players busy passing, running onto, and moving the ball in traffic without the need to spend large amounts of time standing around and doing very little. It's a little confusing to start with, but when the players get going - it's great fun and very busy. Create a large box, the size is up to you and can be varied depending on your coaching goals. Each side of the box should have 4/5 players, more or less if you wish, standing in an attacking passing line - ready to go. You'll need two balls, give one ball to the first player on one of the lines, and the other to the last player on the line opposite. The lines advance passing the ball down the line as they go - they will pass through one another. When the ball gets to the end of the line, the last ball holder passes the ball to the first receiver of the line closest to them - and that line advances. There should be two lines active at any one time, and two lines getting ready to go. I hope that makes sense!

General

1 vs 1 Ball Retention Ball pre...

The ball carrier walks up to the defender and turns away to present the ball to their own team. The defender should try to turn the ball carrier and keep him facing away from support.

General

Individual ball carrying 2 Pas...

Carry the ball in a high position and try to engage the defender. When players reach the cones at the end they will have to pass to the coach on their left before the defender near the cones can get to the ball.

General

Pass and Control Passing - Rug...

Keep you player briefing, brief. Get the players moving and training as soon as possible. If you feel it would help, have one group demonstrate. Tell your players the following: They work as pairs, passing the ball back and forth between one another. They can move anywhere in the grid, be as close or as far apart as they like. Passes may not be forward. The temp should be high, and ball carriers should not hold onto the ball for more than 3 seconds. When they hear the first whistle they keep working but listen to the instruction. On the second whistle the ball carrier executes that instruction. Instructions can include: Pass the ball between your legs, pass the ball around your back, pass the ball around your neck, roll the ball down your back and catch it, flick the ball over your head and catch it etc. These can be as simple or as complex as you like. This is about getting your players to control the ball, to be more comfortable handling the ball. This should be fun, but players should strive to control the ball and may even end up impressing themselves and others.

General

Everyone Gets A Second Chance ...

Split your players into two teams, giving one group of players a set of coloured bibs to set them apart, and quickly tell your players the following laws: Keep the law briefing, brief! Get your players moving as quickly as you can. Normal rules of rugby apply in terms of knock on laws etc. If normal laws are broken - the ball is turned over to the opposition. Make judgement calls that take into account the age and skill level of the player. If a player is touched, shout touch! Allow them to keep running and to hold onto the ball. They can have one more touch. While holding the ball after being touched, the player can: score, pass, keep running, stop and then pass, or even set the ball down - but to do so would be crazy. If they set the ball down - it's in play and can be picked up by the opposition. If the ball carrier is touched a second time - they must pass the ball immediately. If the pass is too slow or there is no support to pass to, the ball is turned over to the opposition. A defensive player cannot simply touch a player twice in short succession. You may decide that two different players must make the two touches, or that a second touch can only be made by the same player that made the first touch 10 meters beyond the first touch. There is no kicking. Have fun with this and let us know any law changes that worked well for your team!

General

Building the Ruck - One Step A...

Have 3 or more pad holders, this depends on how many rucking units you wish to have and how many players you have at training - but work hard to keep every player busy and active. The 3 pad holder should be about 5 meters back from the rucking units, and they should be holding the pads safely. Players should work in groups of 2, and there will be 1 scrum half. Only one ball is needed as the scrum half will move the ball from unit to unit. Get the players moving quickly, and tell the players the following.... One player carries the ball into contact and presents the ball. The other player provides covers and time for the scrum half to move the ball to the next unit. The scrum half should move the ball from unit to unit, and the units/pads should reposition themselves for the next line of attacks. Keep the action going, and don't forget to change the players on the pads.

General

Passing right to left Passing ...

Strong grip, thumbs are out, hold the ball high with fingers pointing to the sky. Keeping your hips square pass the ball across your body, finishing with your hands nice and high - pointing to where you want the ball to go.

General

Passing Box Passing - Rugby Dr...

Tell your players the following....... There should be one group of 4 players between each cone on the four sides of the grid. The ball carrying group will advance - passing the ball down the line. When the ball gets to the last receiver in the attacking line, they will pass the ball to the first receiver in the next attacking line. Simple as that - they should keep going. All four groups must go, in any one cycle of attacks - a cycle is 4 attacks. Progression: Add in one or two defenders, have them work from side to side - rather than closing down space and - don't forget to change the defenders into attack after some time in defence.

General

keep the ball DRILL CATEGORIES
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Ball Presentation Drills
Catching Drills
Handling Drills
Lineout Drills
Maul Drills
Off Loads Drills
Practices for Juniors
Ruck Drills
Scrum Drills
Tackling Drills
Ball Presentation Drills
Catching Drills
Handling Drills
Lineout Drills
Maul Drills
Off Loads Drills
Practices for Juniors
Ruck Drills
Scrum Drills
Tackling Drills
keep the ball SESSIONS
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Off Loading - Keep the ball al...

Get your team playing with good attacking, open play in this Off Loading session with a difference!

Developing a successful offloa...

Don’t stop gaining the yards once over the gain line, keep the ball alive and offer the support to create offloads to eliminate the defence.

Phase Play and Continuity

Continue to build the phases in your play and get your team working as an unit to offer support with this session!

Developing Invasive Attacking Skills!

Improve your players decision making to help them recognise where the space will develop and how they can maximise their success when they create the space, either by going into contact and offloading, or passing before the tackle.

Maintaining Possession

Maintain possession and go forward with confidence, with this attacking session

Improving Attacking Kicking, Catching and Chasing

Improve your team's ability to attack from a kick with this kicking and catching games session - covering 3 key areas of your team's game

Maintaining possession through secure handling skills

Improving your team’s handling skills with this attacking session, making sure that they keep the ball secure and running into space created

Offloading - Keeping the ball alive

Cross the gain line and Improve how your players handle the pressure with this quick rugby session - designed to improve passing/offloading during and after contact!
keep the ball ANSWERS
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Players keep spilling the ball...

Players keep spilling the ball in the tackle, any drills for protecting the ball? Have tried the usual falling drills and tackling drills but in games the ball keeps being spilled forward in contact.

Archived User Coach

switch pass in rugby union

switch pass in rugby union

maria Coach, England

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

Archived User Coach

how do i coach @hit and spin@ incontact in rugby union

how do i coach @hit and spin@ incontact in rugby union

Archived User Coach

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

Order of operations for a maul.

I'm kicking around two different orders for creating mauls. 1) 3rd Man Rip First supporters arrive and drive over rather than stripping ball. I like this one because it allows the supporters to join more quickly and keeps everything going forward. Because the original ball carrier keeps the ball until the 3rd man joins, this maul turns into a clean ruck very easily. I don't like this one because of the increased stress on the ball carrier to protect the ball, and the ball's slower movement to the back. 2) First man rip First supporter arrives and strips, third and fourth drive over. I like this one because the ball is cleared from the front straight away. I don't like this one because it can fall and be a mess, as well as as lack forward momentum as the focus is put on the ball. What do you think about the two ways of forming a maul? I've seen teams do both. Keep in mind I coach mainly older, new players.

Josh Macy Coach, United States of America

Teaching a player cues for a halfback pass,(passing?

What could you teach a player cues for the halfback pass,(passing from the ground)?

Archived User Coach

i coach collegiate womens rugby...any suggestions for?

i coach collegiate womens rugby...any suggestions for tackling sessions in practice - my girls are very hesitant to "hurt" each other. we have tackle dummies, but that just isn't the same...

Archived User Coach

just signed up to coaching under 6s,would like to hear?

just signed up to coaching under 6s,would like to hear what exercises / "drills" work best aside from making sure they all have a laugh?

Archived User Coach

i am just starting to play scrumhalf could you give?

i am just starting to play scrumhalf could you give me some tips on how to be a quality scrumhalf

Archived User Coach

I am coaching the U11 this season. There are some significant?

U11 Rugby I am coaching the U11's this season. There are some significant rule changes from U10. Please can I get some advice on what lessons were learned from coaches who have been through a similar experience.

William OBrien Coach, England

Interpretation of the maul - for U10s?

I will be coaching under 10 next season and need some guidance on how to interpret the rules for the maul?

Ezra rushen Coach, England

U9s new laws for the loose ball?

Under the new U9's rules can they run with a loose ball after picking a ball up off the floor? Or do they have to pass to another player every time the ball goes to ground?

Archived User Coach

Spin pass for a 14-year old boy?

I need coaching points on how to spin passin a casual game how to quickly get it away

sarah milford Coach, England

Try Conversions training

What should I do to have a consistent kick for a try conversion?

Takayuki Matsuzaki Coach, Canada

U10s organisation in defence. ...

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

Taking the ball into contact |...

Several of my players are taking the ball a yard too far into contact and losing possession as a result.Do you have any suggestions or drills that would help to address this? Dave Knights. Hong Kong

Archived User Coach

Do U9's have to have both hand...

In relation U9's, I've read about the two hands on the ball ruling in U7 tag, Is there a similar requirement in U9's to have both hands on the ball when running etc (this was flagged up by a learned touchline parent?). Can anyone close the loop on this one for me?

P Naylor Coach, England

How can I stop kids bunching i...

How can I stop the kids bunching in tag rugby games ?

christopher jenkins Coach, Wales

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