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Kicking accuracy and catching

5 players working with 1 ball in a grid 20 by 20 meters, working on their grubber kicks and punts. One player stands on each corner of the grid. Players must kick the ball to each other whilst the player in the middle attempts to intercept the ball. If the kick is intercepted the kicker becomes the chaser.

Kicking

King Pin

Split the group into two teams. One player from each team goes to the oppositions end and starts in the end zone. The aim of the game is for each team to kick a grubber kick through to their team mate the other end of the grid in the end zone. When a ball gets through to a player in the end zone the player that kicks the ball goes to join them. The winner is the first team to get all their players in the end zone.

Kicking

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

Progression in ruck

In groups of four, the ball carrier runs out, turns and passes the ball to the second player. The first player then becomes a defender. Player 2 goes into contact and tries to drive the defender forward but when stopped, slides down to ground and presents the ball. Player 3 then drives over player 2, clearing the defender out of the way. Player 4 picks up the ball and runs on to the end where the drill is restarted running back down the grid

Ruck

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

Ruck - Full

Ruck

Scrum Pass

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

To practice and develop ball Presentation.

Grid 10x10Numbers 18+Ages: 9+Balls: 61) Run across and place ball down about 1 metre in front of player on other side of grid.2) Player straddles ball - picks it up - holds it close to back shoulder - runs low across to other side of grid - places ball 1 metre in front of next player.3) As above but roll ball in gently rather than place down.

Ball Presentation

Wrestle the ball

In pairs, in a 5 x 5 m grid Pupils roll the ball to their partner who gathers it up. The first pupil runs and tries to take the ball from their partner. Change after the ball is successfully defended or wrestled away.

Ball Presentation

Ruck Over, Pickup Ruck - Rugby...

General

Pick and Place Ball Presentati...

Players form a single file, pick up a ball, run a few meters and then places the ball down before heading towards the next ball. The balls are placed at random in the grid area. The second player starts out when the first player has placed down the first ball, and so on. Players rejoins the end of the line after placing down the last ball.

General

Floor/ Seal/ Clear/ Pick Ball ...

In groups of 4 inside the grid with 1 ball per group. Players should pass the ball around the group with small pops. On the coach's whistle the player with the ball takes the ball into contact and hits the floor. Other players must then seal-clear-pick. After picking the ball players can continue to pop pass the ball until they hear the next whistle.

General

Floor/ Seal/ Clear/ Pick Ball ...

In groups of 4 inside the grid with 1 ball per group. Players should pass the ball around the group with small pops. On the coach's whistle the player with the ball takes the ball into contact and hits the floor. Other players must then seal-clear-pick. After picking the ball players can continue to pop pass the ball until they hear the next whistle.

General

Pop and Pass Passing - Rugby D...

Tell the players the following.... The player on the cone passes the ball forward to the player just in front of the cone, the passer then become the runner. The reciever pops the ball for the runner to run onto. Runner takes the ball and makes a bawards pass to the player on the cone opposite them.  The runner can drift to increase the distance of the pass. Players should side step to avoid one another in the middle of the grid. The first reciever can change the way they present the ball: they could set the ball on the ground for the runner to pick, they could lob the ball into the air for the runner to reach for and catch, they could deliver a low pass aross the knees for the runner to catch etc.

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

Attack/Defend Sevens - Rugby D...

Tell your players the following...... Players will standing at the midway point of the playing area. Tell each team which direction they are playing. Set the ball on the ground in front of the players. If you call 1 then team one is in attack and they should pick the ball up, if you should 2 then team 2 is in attack and they should pick the ball up. The non attacking team is in defence. Normal rules of sevens apply. However, before each team can start their attack/defence, they must all run to their own try line and back. When the attack is over, all players return to the midway point to start again. That's it, lets play! Make sure that you give both teams a chance to attack and defend.

General

Hit and Spin Ball Presentation...

Two players with shields stand facing the runners on opposite sides of a grid. On the command, the players run into the shield and spins to their right before joining the back of the group on the left hand side. The practice keeps repeating. On GO, each ball carrier drives into the contact pad and spins out, past the defender before passing the ball to the next player in the other group.

General

L-Shaped Passing Sevens - Rugb...

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 line.

General

Three Player Circuit Warm Up -...

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

General

Beat The Runner Warm Up - Rugb...

Divide your players into groups of five, with one player acting as a running. Each grid will need a runner. The runner starts on the runners cone. You might wish to have two groups of five at each grid, and to have a quick demo before sending all the players to their own grids. Keep your player briefing, brief! The first five passers attack the runners line, passing the pass down the line as they go. The runner sets off as soon as the first ball carrier starts to move. The aim of attack is to score a try in the corner, beating the runner - so quick hands. Each player should realign following their pass, there will be two attacks for each group before they move the ball onto the next group. After the first attack the runner goes to their cones on the opposite side of the grid ready for the next attack. The attack begins when the first players picks the ball off the ground. Don't forget to change the runners. Move the runner cones in to progress the exercise and to put the attack under more pressure.

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

Support Lines Decision making ...

The aim of the drill is to develop players understanding of support lines Players work in groups of 4 in attackSet up 5 defenders with pads, in a 2-2-1 formationAttackers focus on beating the defence by drawing the opposition or breaking through the pad and offloading to supporting players

General

Attack/Defend Big Time Sevens ...

Tell your players the following...... Players will standing at the midway point of the playing area, about 25 meters in. Tell each team which direction they are playing. Set the ball on the ground in front of the players. If you call 1 then team one is in attack and they should pick the ball up, if you should 2 then team 2 is in attack and they should pick the ball up. The non attacking team is in defence. Normal rules of sevens apply. However, before each team can start their attack/defence, they must all run to their own try line and back. When the attack is over, all players return to the midway point to start again. That's it, lets play! Make sure that you give both teams a chance to attack and defend.

General

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.

General

Confidence in the tackle Tackl...

Groups of 3.Progression.1. Wrestling Players link up, one arm under &amp; one arm over each shoulder. Players then pick a side to wrestle to, then give a count down and fight to force opposition on the side they chose to wrestle to.2. Tackle on Knees Each player takes turns to complete tackles on there knees. 3. You can make this fun and competitive by counting how many tackles a player completes in a certain amount of time.

General

Ball Tag Warm Up - Rugby Drill...

Make sure that you have your warm-up area marked out before your players arrive, it's important that you get them working right away. You can decide to play this game in smaller grids, or a larger playing area with the entire team. If using small grids, they can be 10 meters x 10 meters - and mark out as many as you need depending on the size of your team. If playing in a large area with the entire team, have two players working as taggers. The rest will be attackers - running around the playing area trying to avoid the taggers/defenders. If playing in a smaller area, have 2 defenders/taggers and 6 attackers. Give the taggers/defenders a ball each. Keep your law briefing, brief! It's important to get the players working as soon as possible. Tell the players that the two players with the balls will be chasing and looking to tag the rest of the players. If you get tagged, you join the taggers team. Play the game until all players are tagged. The last two players tagged, become the first two taggers for the next game. The ball cannot be thrown.

General

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pick SESSIONS
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Attacking - Part 2

Work on your players composure when going into contact to be able to provide the offload to create scoring chances even when under pressure.

Maintaining Possession

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

Developing your Key Decision Makers (KDMs)

Can your players take the bull by the horns and make the right decisions when attacking? Find out in this attacking decision making session!

Dominant, decisive attack

Create a dominant and decisive attack in your team with this session, focusing on their ability to offload under pressure

Fitness and Handling Skills - Refresher Session

Work on their speed and stamina in this passing and receiving recap session - designed to get your players spreading their fingers for maximum passing control

Scanning Session - Scanning in the Tackle

Use this plan to Improve your players' pass selection and completion - helping them to pick the right pass
pick ANSWERS
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My fowards seem afraid to ruck and stand around the?

My fowards seem afraid to ruck and stand around the ruck while in the way of the scrum half trying to get the ball out to the backs. They also don't support the ball carrier while he is being tackled. Please help me with any suggestions!!!

William Barrett Coach, United States of America

Our under tens when they go into a ruck situation often go straight over the ball leaving it in the open. A is this ball then available to be played by any player from both teams and B if this ball is out how can we teach them to secure the ball.

Ask a question and have it answered by Coaches from around the world and Sportplan's team of Experts.

Archived User Coach

I am coaching Under 9 rugby, and the question is once?

I am coaching Under 9 rugby, and the question is once a player is tackled, can the next player pickup the ball and run or do they have to pass?

Archived User Coach

Picking up the ball?

Player A tackles the opposing ball carrier (B). His teammate (C) is there to step over the tackled player from an onside position and when Player B attempts to present the ball he reaches down to pickup the placed ball while remaining on his feet. Player B trys to retain the ball because none of his teammates are there to ruck over or pick up the ball. Player C gets called for hands in a ruck. Why? I thought if on my feet and coming through the gate the ball is fair game. I can see only 2 proper/legal ways to get the ball if what I did was a penalty. Option 1 is to step over and kick the ball clear, risking a call for dangerous play, and hoping for the lucky bounce. Option 2 is to step over the carrier AND the ball and hope a teammate is there to pick up or ruck over behind me. Basically, ignoring the ball in plain site and not pick it up. I get it if there are other opposing players (other than the carrier) so a ruck is formed but not the way it happened. What is the right play?

Kevin Raymond Coach, United States of America

hi i need some box kick drills, can anyone help?

hi i need some box kick drills, can anyone help?

Archived User Coach

Number 8 pick ups from scrum at U13?

Number 8 pick ups from scrum at U13?

Phil Harvey Coach, England

Coaching the U6s - any drills or ball games for this age?

i shall be starting coaching later this month, hope fully the under 6s agegroup. does any one have any drills or ball games suitable for this age group? thank you, chris.

christopher jenkins Coach, Wales

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

Archived User Coach

First time coaching the U13s next season - any tips greatly appreciated!

I have just started helping our head coach with under12's team. He wants to retire and has put me forward to be head coach next season. I am a little worried on how i should aproach training with the boys, going to a full 15 a side team on a full pitch. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

Archived User Coach

Refereeeing an U10 ruck

As well as coaching U10 rugby, I also get to referee U10 games, under the New Rules Of Play. I feel that my refereeing of the ruck isn't as good as it could/should be. Has anyone got an easy to follow system to help them referee U10 rucks ?

Archived User Coach

Flanker pickup from scrum

Is it legal for a flanker to unbind and pick up the ball from a scrum if the ball comes to his channel?

Archived User Coach

How to stop U12s forwards picking the ball up?

My forwards constantly pick and go from the rucks in games and this is starving the backs from any ball. Is there anything I can do, drills etc, which would help them realise there is a time and a place for pick and go, but to do it every time narrows the game and it becomes ineffective and not good teamwork.

Simon Luxton Coach, England

when do i pick and go?

rugby forwards , pick and go from rug

Archived User Coach

U6's coaching need of guidance

3rd week of coaching u6's any tips would be appreciated Thanks Asked using Sportplan Mobile App

Archived User Coach

England and Wales - U10 rule 6.o

Moving up to coach U10 - unclear on what aspect of the rules. Rule 6.o references rule 6m(iii) and states - 'If m)iii. above has taken place, the next arriving player must pass the ball to another player.'6M(iii) allows (after a tackle) a supporting player to pick up the ball and run as long as a ruck has not been formed.So...does this mean that unlike in U9 the 'scrum half' doesn't have to pass the ball from the tackle and can pick and go? This would appear to be the intention of 6m(iii). If so, then what is the purpose and intent of 6.o? Asked using Sportplan Mobile App

Elliott Vigar Coach, England

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

when do i pick and go? - Sport...

rugby forwards , pick and go from rug

Archived User Coach

Flanker pickup from scrum - Sp...

Is it legal for a flanker to unbind and pick up the ball from a scrum if the ball comes to his channel?

Archived User Coach

Refereeeing an U10 ruck - Spor...

As well as coaching U10 rugby, I also get to referee U10 games, under the New Rules Of Play. I feel that my refereeing of the ruck isn't as good as it could/should be. Has anyone got an easy to follow system to help them referee U10 rucks ?

Archived User Coach

First time coaching the U13s n...

I have just started helping our head coach with under12's team. He wants to retire and has put me forward to be head coach next season. I am a little worried on how i should aproach training with the boys, going to a full 15 a side team on a full pitch. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

Archived User Coach

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