Rugby: passing technique

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DRILLS (40)SESSIONS (6) ANSWERS (12)

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passing technique DRILLS

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Continuous Passing Square 1

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 going Progressions: Get the players to change direction on your command (shout/whistle) Multiple balls at a time As 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).

Passing

Continuous Passing Square 2

Passing

Fast Hands

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 ball Increase the distance that the working player must pass the ball.

Passing

Grip Game For Offloads

This is a fun warm up game for the whole team to be involved in Players are separated into two teams, one team wearing bibs Every player is holding a rugby ball, which they keep to themselves There is one 'live' ball that is used for the game. This is a possession game, where each team tries to keep the ball for as long as possible, passing and catching one-handed (because their other hand is holding a ball already) Once a team reaches 10 passes in a row, possession switches over. A small forfeit such as press ups could be introduced for conceding 10 consecutive passes.

Off Loads

Lateral Passing

Drill to practice passing laterally. Set up a diamond roughly 10m wide and 5m long (see diagram). Two players position themselves at either end and one player is in the middle. The player in the middle is running shuttles across the diamond, each time he runs a shuttle he must catch a pass from one feeder, and pass it to the other one before completing the shuttle. Players should do twenty repetitions each and then swap positions.

Passing

Passing Technique Progression

1. Square on: one hand Stand square on, in your partners pass the ball back and forth no more than 5m away from eachother, rember use 1 hand and start with ball on hip. 2. Side on: one hand Same again but no stand side on. 3. One step: two hands Same distance apart, introduce the second hand and take a step and pass try to do 10 off each hand.

Handling

Pole Position

Tell the players the following..... Each player has four tackle bags and six balls, the winner is the player that knocks down the most bags - you cannot leave their cone and must knock the bags down by passing. If you find that the bags are too heavy - you can amend the game by placing balls on the top of the bags, the passers must knock them off.

Sevens

Right Angled Passing Drill

Drill to practice passing. Set up a right angle (L-shape) with lines of 4 players on each side (see diagram) The ball starts at one of the outer ends and the players pass it down the line, when it reaches the end of the line the fourth player passes the ball off to the first player in the next line (see diagram). They then pass the ball down the line and pass it off to the first player in the next line, and the drill repeats. After completing their pass players should run through and join the back of the next line.

Passing

Rugby 5 Pin Bowling

Using cones and tackle bags, mark out your training area as shown in the diagram. The tackle bags should be stood up, and at a distance away from the play that tests the strength of their pass. Set 6 balls at each cone and divide your players into groups of 2, and allocate one group of 2 to each training area. Tell your players that... Each player has five tackle bags and six balls, the winner is the player that knocks down the most balls.A player cannot leave their cone and must knock the bags down by passing and hitting with the ball on the bag or the bag itself.

Sevens

Scrum Half Pole Position

Tell the players the following..... Each player has four poles and six balls, the winner is the player that hits the most poles - you cannot leave your cone and must hit the poles by passing. You can only hit each pole once. You can make this game a little harder by moving the cones further back from the poles.

Sevens

Short Passing Passing - Rugby ...

Give each training area one ball to start with and tell the players the following...... Lets just get the ball moving down the line. Give the player at the start of one of the lines a ball, tell the line to advance using lateral passing - with the last player in each line passing the ball to the first player in the opposite line. Players should change positions in the line following each attack. Focus on the coaching points - the drill is only a means to an end. No spin passing. When you feel that the players are executing the short pass to your satisfaction - add in more pressure by have two opposite lines run at once.

General

Lateral Passing Passing - Rugb...

Drill to practice passing laterally.Set up a diamond roughly 10m wide and 5m long (see diagram).Two players position themselves at either end and one player is in the middle.The player in the middle is running shuttles across the diamond, each time he runs a shuttle he must catch a pass from one feeder, and pass it to the other one before completing the shuttle.Players should do twenty repetitions each and then swap positions.

General

Quick Hands Passing - Rugby Dr...

Tell your players the following..... The first player runs out with the ball to the first set of cones and passes the ball to the second player. The second player then runs out to the next set of cones and passes the ball to the third player, who runs out to the next set of cones. In the last area of cones, the ball has to be passed quickly amongst all the players.

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Passing Technique Progression ...

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

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

Passing Along The Line Passing...

Simple hand drill that can be progressed onto many simple backline movements. 1 ball, 4 players, area of 20-30m by 20m 1st player starts with the ball who commences the sequence by running, 2nd player run from depth and receive the ball then pass to 3rd player who will do the same to the 4th. From this point the order will reverse to get another repetition through everyone's hands so you can score at the end of the grid.

General

Speed pass challenge Passing -...

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

2 v 1 Passing - Rugby Drills, ...

This is a simple 2 v 1. The two players have to get past the one defender without being touched, that's it. The defender will start 10 meters back, and can move anywhere inside the box. The attack must remain inside the box and all pass msut be legal. Don't forget to change the defender.

General

Crossover Relay Passing - Rugb...

Keep your player briefing short. You may consider having a demonstration group. Give two players opposite each other, one ball each. On your call they will come forward, towards each other, sidestepping to avoid contact before passing the ball either left or right. There should be no forward passes and the players need to communicate to avoid both balls going in the same direction. When the receivers collect their pass - they do the same as the first set of ball carriers. Players that have completed their run and pass within the grid should join the end of the opposite line. Players should seek opportunity to pass off both their left and right hands.

General

Passing circle Passing - Rugby...

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

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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

Passing Ballrush Tag Rugby - R...

This game is designed to introduce passing at moving targets on the run. Set up a field approximately 15m long x 10m wide. (relative to the number of players, however, don’t make it wider until the players are capable of running and passing well). Tell all the players to line up at one end of the field facing in to the field. Explain that they are going to attempt to run down the middle to the other side when the coach calls ‘bullrush’. Choose 2 players and give them a ball each and explain to them they are to try and pass the ball at the running players. If a running player is hit by a pass on the full (without bouncing), that player joins the passers (give that players a ball for the next round). Try and get the players used to passing at the stomach rather than the legs and head, this is good for later passing skills. When all the players have run from one end to the other they have to wait at the other end until the coach calls ‘bullrush’ and then they are allowed to run again. This is repeated until there are no more runners and then the game starts again. <div id=miniAd>R1</div>

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Union Jack Passing - Rugby Dri...

Tell your players the following... On GO Player A passes to B who in turn passes to Player C. At the same time Player E passes F. Once the players have passed the ball they then swap with the opposite player. Player A swaps with Player E, player B swaps with Player F, Player C with Player G, Player D with H. It's important that players only swap once they have passed the ball and only pass it when a player is in position to receive it. So - players swap following a pass - with their opposite number, the pass is always left.

General

Miss Pass (M1) Passing - Rugby...

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 that on their call they can miss pass (M1) a player in the line. So the first ball carrier might decide to Miss Pass (M1) the first receiver in the line, and move the ball directly to the second receiver. Any player, if they have the option open to them, can call a miss pass. Allow the players to discover, though questioning, the best possible way of executing and calling the (M1) move. Players should change position in the line after each run.

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Passing Grid Passing - Rugby D...

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

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Round The World Passing - Rugb...

Tell your players the following..... The first player picks the ball up at the cone passes the ball to the next player, they then run around the back to receive the ball from the last player who puts the ball down by the cone and picks it up and stars the passing again. Each player runs around the back to the next side of the grid to receive and pass the ball on. The players attack all the sides of the grid. Players loop around the back, not in front of the attack.

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Passing under pressure Passing...

4 players line up next to each other about 5 meters apart. A defender with a shield is standing 10 meters from the 1st man (ball carrier).The ball carrier runs in a straight line towards the bag, and passes just before the bag touches him. The receiving player needs to keep his depth, as the player with the pad will move across to his line of running, and he will need time and space to pass the ball on to the next receiver.The defender must not press up, only move across, in a straight line.

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Right Angled Passing Drill Pas...

Drill to practice passing.Set up a right angle (L-shape) with lines of 4 players on each side (see diagram)The ball starts at one of the outer ends and the players pass it down the line, when it reaches the end of the line the fourth player passes the ball off to the first player in the next line (see diagram).They then pass the ball down the line and pass it off to the first player in the next line, and the drill repeats.After completing their pass players should run through and join the back of the next line.

General

Side on Pendulum pass Passing ...

Here the player needs to have slightly bent knees, and ensure that he is leaning slightly forward with a straight back, giving him space to swing and pass the ball. The player with the ball swings the ball back and forward with a straight arm with force, releasing the ball into the opposite players' hands. The ball is now being passed from left to right. The player receiving should be waiting for the ball, both hands out, fingers soft and pointing 45 degrees up from the horizontal.

General

Pass Left and Right From Groun...

Great for scrum halves to practice placement of foot and following through with hands. 2 balls, 3 support players, 1 passer Ted on the ground as if one is feeding from the backhe support players set up a triangle on your given dimensions. The person at the top of the triangle is the feeder for the passer, who will stand one metre from the feeder on the inside of the triangle. The feeder starts with a ball as well as the passer who will start with his ball in the position of a scrum or maul. Once the first pass is made the feeder must immediately place the next ball on the ground for the second pass to go to the next support player. Support players should return the ball immediately to the feeder. Work for a minute and rotate.

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3 v 1 Grid Passing - Rugby Dri...

6x6m Grid Ball Players line up in 3s opposite sides of the grid. Simply pass the ball along the line. 1 defender is in the middle of the grid putting pressure on all ball carriers.Once hand completed the next line starts immediately. Defender swaps out when there is a mistake or when he touches someone with the ball. Progression: add another defender, make the passes wider.

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Passing Accuracy Passing - Rug...

Passing in partners.Players stand opposite each other about 3-4m away. One player will take 1-2 steps forward, then pass back and sideways to their partner. Their partner then takes 1-2 steps forward, as they walk backwards to their original spot, so the player can pass back to them. Continuous walking and passing.

General

Catch and pass channel Passing...

8+ players Ball Players stand at equal distance away at differnt points along the grid. One working player runs in the middle of the channel. The players on the outside pass the ball into the running player. The Working player must complete 2 sets of passing - 1 run off each hand.

General

Zig Zag Relay Passing - Rugby ...

Tell the players to do the following...... The player with the ball passes to the next player and follows the direction of the ball. The chasing or support player must touch the cone of the player they passed to. The player who receives the ball does the same and so on to the last player who receives the ball and runs around the group to the first cone and restarts the drill. The player returning to their cone, must backstep their way to their starting location.

General

Star Wars Passing - Rugby Dril...

The rest of the players are told to stand at one end of the field (they are the Space Pirates). The space police want to try and blow up the space pirates ship as they pass using their space bombs (I know - lots of childish terms there - but adjust the terminology to suit your players - they will enjoy it). Explain to the space police that they are to attempt to pass the ball at the space pirates and attempt to hit them below the shoulders. It won't be a completed pass as the pirates are just trying to avoid getting hit. The space police can move sideways along the edge of space, however, cannot move forward into space. (Police can only enter the space zone and get balls but cannot shoot until they are outside the rectangle). The space pirates can attack when they like, and if hit they can be out - or have more than one life. When an space pirate makes it through space successfully, with out being directly hit by a pass, they wait at the other end till all the other prates make it. You can change the police and pirates around or.... Note: Some younger players will love this game, and some may not! So think carefully about having different groupings that take into account players passing ability (in terms of speed), and if you have a group of players that might not like this game - have them attend a special pass development clinic with another coach.

General

More Loop Passing - Rugby Dril...

Tell your players the following...... The ball carrier (A) runs straight in a line and makes a normal lateral pass to the supporting player (B) After passing the ball A runs towards and behind B After B catches the pass they angle their run towards the direction the pass has come from and so create space A runs around B and straightens as they receive the pass In effect you want the players to loop around the new ball carrier after they make their pass.

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.

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Static Flat Pass Passing - Rug...

The aim of the drill is to develop a short push pass.

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Pass and run Passing - Rugby D...

Tell the players the following.... Player 1 starts with the ball. Player 1 passes the ball to player 2 and then quickly moves off their cone and runs to the cone where player 2 is and back to their cone. Player 2 then passes to player 3, follows the pass to the position of player 3 and back to their starting position. Change your passing hand each time The aim is to for the players to be back in their starting position before the ball returns back, but main thing is that they provide a good pass to the receiving player.

General

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passing technique SESSIONS

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passing technique ANSWERS

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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

2 answers

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?

2 answers

what is key factor analysis

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

13 answers

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.

7 answers

coaching under 9s next year, where do I start?

Hi, Iâm coaching under 9s next year which involves tackling, mauls, rucks etc. Iâm after advise on what to coach first and the amount of time spent on each area. Added to this Iâve somehow become the lead coach after a couple of coaches stepped down (feeling a little under pressure!) Would anybody be willing to share any sessions so I can plan the first month or so. Cheers

4 answers

First time coaching U9 and U10s - anyone got any backline coaching tips?

Hi im a first time coach and is still getting the hang of how the technical details of the game works the back line is my department and whould like any help i can get to know what drills to do and anything helpfull in the backline im currently coaching for the under 9 and 10

8 answers

How can I train U10s to tackle and pass?

Tackling and Passing to help them out

Jack Murray Coach, Australia

zachree bergstedt Coach, South Africa

FLY HALF

How can i improve my skills on the field as a flyhalf

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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