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Rugby: progression

progression DRILLS
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Catch me if you can

Up to 10 in a group. Each player should have a tag belt. Each player partners up with someone and then stand side by side. On the coach's call the players run to that sideline. If the coach calls 1 for example they have to run to the sideline before the 2s can catch them and take their belt.

Tag Rugby

Contest Line Outs

One player throws the ball in to 5 players standing side by side. One player to stand in the scrum half position so as to be ready to receive a pass. Pupils should :- Attack the ball by moving forwards. Catch the ball in two hands. Players on either side of the jumper need to protect the jumper after they have caught the ball.

Lineout

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

One v One

Coach calls out a number/colour and that pair of players reacts, have the players decide who is the defender and who is the attack - this should change each time. One player attacks, and the other defends. The attacker will be carrying the ball. Keep the tempo of the exercise high.

Agility & Running Skills

Passing Race

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

Handling

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

Regain possession

The player with the ball rolls the ball out for a player to run onto and collect whilst moving. They then pass the ball back before replacing the player that rolled the ball out. The player that rolled the ball out runs to join the back of the queue.

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

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

Tackle practice

Teams of 3 one team with ball. Start with both teams on their own goal line. Team with ball attempts to scoreDefending team allowed 1 on 1 tackles. When tackled, both players get to feet and ball carrier restarts game with free pass. Knock on, forward pass, in touch all result in turnover ball and free passChange attacking team after each score.

Tackling

Tackle Progression 1v1 Tacklin...

1. Tracking Create a V shaoped conned area. Defender at one end, attacker at the other end. Attacker attempts to score using footwork, defender has to track them and try stop them by gettign a shoulder on contact to there hips. (50% intensity)2. 1v1 Track and TackleIn a grid an attacker is positioned on one end and a defender at the other end. Defender passes to the attacker who attempts to score against the defender within the grid. 3. 1v1 Tackle Channel Players line up in two lines adjacent to the coned area.<br>Coach shouts go and the front two players run round their end to end up facing each other.<br>The coach passes the ball to the attacker who runs at the defender, and the defender tries to take them down.4. 2v2 Track and Tackle 10m wide channel, 2 attackers start with the ball while 2 defenders atart at the other end.when instructed the attackers attempt to score agaisnt them.Do continuous reps.

General

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.

General

Progression in ruck Ruck - Rug...

<BR>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 <BR>

General

Chain Reaction - Progression T...

2 x Adjacent 20m x 10m channelsIn the first channel, players pass the ball across the line in a chain. After the first pass, the player that started the chain remains in the middle to become a defender

General

Fixing Defender Progression Pa...

Groups 10+ Balls Cones Sausages.1. Chanel Fix Groups of 5. Attack sausages lined up one behind eachother. They must use footwork to step to a side of the sausage and then give a pass before running into/past it.2. Passing Grid - Static Defenders Normal 3 man passing grid, however with sausages placed in the middle.Players run forward use footwork to beat the bag and give the pass back inside. (pass before the sausage).3. Passing Grid - Moving defenders. Same as above but instead of sausages, use moving defenders with bags.4. Passing Grid - Starting on corners.Groups of 4 start on each corner with 2 defenders in the middle. The attacking line must get around the corner and square up to beat the 2 defenders. At other end give to next group and start again. Continuous. 5. Final Game Groups of 3 on all sides of the grid, with 2 defenders in the middle.Continuous drill to score as many tries as possibel in 1 min. Focus on all skills above.

General

Progression Drift Defence Defe...

groups of 8 +.Cones Balls. Bibs 1. 1v1 in 5mx5m Grid.Players line up opposite eachother on a grid, Attacker has to score over the line (running for the corner), while the defender has to not let him/her score on the indside of him/her. Scoring around the outside is not bad. 2. Add a 2nd Attacker.This forces the defender when to make a decision to drift onto the outside attacker. If the defender pushes to ealry they score on the inside. Too late they score on the outside (Not the worst outcome). 3. Drop Out Touch. (Drift Focus) This game is a normal game of touch rugby, however whenever the attacker is touched the defender who touched him/her must run back too the try line and stay there until play has broken down.

General

Choke Tackle Progression Tackl...

5 stage progression session. Bibs.Balls Cones. 1. Warm up - Wrestle One player with the ball trys to fight their hips away from the other play who fights to to keep his/her hips infront of the other player. 2. 50% Side --&gt; Front TacklePlayers start on oppsoite side of grid. Ball Carrier runs across while the defender makes a tall tackle, whist trying to get his hips in a front on position. Low to High hit, aiming for under the elbows or ball. 3. 2nd Defender introduced. Double team tackle. Inside player hits low to high under elbow, keeping hips square. The second player aims for the ball and fights to keeps attacker off the ground. 4. Rugby Netball in 7m x7m grid. Attacking team tries to complete 8 passes while the defending team tries to complete a choke tackle on one of the attacking players. Turn over once a choke tackle has been successfully executed. 5. Contact Game Half pitch contact game, with defending team aiming to complete a choke tackle. Turn over when one is made.

General

Passing Grid Progressions Pass...

Start out with a grid of 10 x 10Passing progressions are based upon the ability of players to fix defenders - ensure the exercise reflects match situationsStart with three groups of three or four, each on a corner of the square leaving one corner freePlayers need to come around the corner, bending their runs before straightening up before popping the ball off to the next groupThe ball needs to travel through hands of all the players in the group

General

Jackal progression drill Conta...

1. Bounce Race to get off the floor. CHest to bag then bag to feet. 2. Bounce with sausage Same as above however, now get in position to compete for the ball over a tackled player (sausage).Ball should be wedged between 2 sausages. 3. Live but Static A tackler hsould start on his knees half tacklignan attakcing player.A jackler should be behind and as soon as tackled player hits the floor should be over the top jackling. A 3rd player bag man, should test his tsability. 4. Jackal and Bag Race Bag man and Jackler start either side of a sausage. Coach blows his whistle, both leap to feet and compete for the ball. Race for space

General

Rugby: Defensive Systems - Str...

1. Defensive Organisation 4 Defenders line up on the the cones. When coach goes to pass the ball, when hands are on the defenders get line speed, making lots of noise and staying connected. After each rep the players move along the cones back trackign until the reach the end, this is continuous. 2. 3 v 2 In a 5mx5m grid, 3 attackers attack 2 defenders.Same focus on the defence on when to drift or make the takle on attackers.Lots of communcitaion and line speed is key. 3. Kick out touch- Reduced Defence. A defending player kicks the ball from the back of the pithc to attacking team. Attacking team has more players than defensive system to induce a counter attack situation. Players will learn to fill space with fewer numbers aswell as being a good attacking practice identifying space and overlaps.

General

Side-stepping the opponent - P...

Players line up and approach the pole which the coach is now moving side to side. Once the player gets reasonably close, drop the pole to one side, the player must then react and sidestep in the other direction, working away from the defender. Using shorter strides when they get close, they step to one side with the POWER STRIDE, and off that leg they change direction in the other direction, anything from 30-90 degree angle changes is sufficient.

General

Rucking Ruck - Rugby Drills, R...

Groups of 4 and two groups of defenders with contact pads. 1 ball per group. The ball carrier drives into the contact pads and presents ball backwards. Player 2 binds on, face to face and secures ball, player 3 binds on the other side to form a front row. All attackers bind together and drive defenders back 2-3 metres. Player 4 takes ball out at back and runs back around cone with players 1-3 in support. Repeat going back the other way until all attackers have practised each role.

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

Continuous passing onto cones ...

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

General

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.

General

Rugby: Lineout Progressions Wi...

1.Two players stand either side of a tackle tube (tackle tube on the floor 'stood up').The coach shouts go and the two players turn inwards to face each other and the tube.The players then get set in a low position before lifting the tube into the air.2.Three players. One in the middle faces forwards. One player either side holds a tackle tube.The coach shouts left or right (or a call to their discretion) for the middle player to turn to.The middle player and the teammate on that side lift the tackle tube into the air the same as the first drill.3.Three players. Two players set up in the set position either side of one tackle tube, while the other player is set on their own behind a tackle bag facing inwards.The player on the outside of the two runs quickly round their first bag, to join the player on their own.Together the players lift the tube into the air, as per the first two drills.

General

Lesson 3 Layout Tag Rugby - Sp...

General

Developing The Spin Passing - ...

Using just one hand they should pass the ball to each other, spinning the ball. They should make 10 passes on one hand, and then 10 passes on the opposite hand. Players can change their passing hand by turning round to face the opposite direction. That's it, get working. Refer to the coaching points in order to help your players improve. This drill is about helping players understand and develop their spin pass, while improving the quality of their pass. It should be using in conjunction with other training exercises to develop the spin pass.

General

Grids Handling - Rugby Drills,...

1) Run out (2 steps) turn and pop ball to a support player. 2) Run out (2 steps) turn and let support player take it out of your hands. 3) Run out - go to floor (facing support runner). Chest pass up to support. Progression: Support player tells person in front which of the above he wants.

General

Chain Reaction Tag Rugby - Spo...

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

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.

General

3 on 2 Attack and Defence Dril...

Set an area with two different coloured cones on the touch line in the middle, one for defenders and one for attackers. At the prompt of the coach the players run around designated cones and attack the defenders to score. Ball carrier should initiate the attack by attacking the inside shoulder of the first defender to stop a drift defence. Draw the first defender and make the pass to your next support runner who should do the same to pass to the outside runner who can go and score. Once attacked three or four times players should swap to defence but not every single time to create continuity and positive development.

General

Drop Kick Kicking - Rugby Dril...

Can be practiced with all players but specifically for the kickers of the team for start off kicking and tactical point scoring. 1 ball, cones to set up target zones etc.

General

Rugby Netball Warm Up - Rugby ...

Break your players into two teams. One team goes to attack, and one to defence. There is no kicking in this game. Normal laws of rugby do not apply e.g. the ball can be passed in any direction. The ball is passed from player to player, but once the ball is caught - the ball carrier must stop moving. They can move only to pass the ball to another player. The defenders can close down attackers, working to remove attacking options. Defenders can intercept the ball, but must leave the ball carrier alone once the ball is cause. They can apply pressure on the pass, similar to the pressure that a bastleball player might apply (but consider using this as a progression). Tries can be scored by attackers who catch the ball inside the oppositions in goal area. Dropped balls result in a turn over.

General

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progression SESSIONS
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Guard the Ruck - Organisation in Defence

High tempo defending and handling plan. Improve your rugby players' communication, organisation and line speed for a more solid backline

Jackal at the Tackle - Technique and Confidence Session

Can your players tackle and jackal? Use this session to introduce your players to the jackal and improve their technique in 1v1 and game situations

Coaching the Drift Defence

Get your players thinking their way through this session, focussing on Drift Defence when the opposition have an overlap on the outside.

Tackle your way to success

Get tackling to success with this session, working on your team’s current ability and making sure that they are using the right technique

Tackling for Toddlers - The basics of tackling

Lose the fear of tackling by teaching correct technique. That's the maxim for this session as we look at ways to get your children excited about tackling effectively!

Eliminate missed tackles | Defensive correction plan

Missed tackles can prove costly! Use this plan to cut down the number of defensive errors your side make and help get them back on top

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!

Pass and Support - End of Season Session

Banish end of season mistakes with this pass and support recap session - packed with fun games to keep morale high at training

Development of Rucking

Use this session to introduce juniors to the ruck and improve older players' rucking ability - Starting slowly and use the progressions to increase the intensity

Lateral and Spin Passing for Beginners

Improve your junior players' passing with this technique session - passing off both hands, in practice and under match-like pressure
progression ANSWERS
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Is there a progression template for rugby U16?

Is there a progression template for rugby U16?

Marcel Coach, Netherlands

What are the costs and benefits that come with a full subscription?

How much is full subscription and what will I get for my money?

steve wightman Coach, England

How to rebuild morale?

I have a new team of high school girls who exceeded expectations but have lost their confidence after a weekend of loses at a 7's tournament. How do I rebuild their morale so they can get back on track?

Mimi Coach, Canada

U14's girls teamwork

I am having trouble getting my girls to work as a team. Any advice?

Archived User Coach

How do I get the back line running straight and fast?

Our back line is very sluggish and drift ,any ideas for simple plan to get them moving straight and fast?

Michael Strain Coach, Wales

Uncontested lineouts

Any advice on uncontested line out variations?

Colin Marklew Coach, England

Ball retention skills

How can I improve my U15 ball retention skills? They keep getting stripped or lose the ball in contact.

Noel Hill Coach, England

Can someone help me with planning and programing a plan for U14 ?

I have a problem with lack of kids, and i only get 2 training sessions per week, how to make a plan to help them grow, and not to forget from week to week what we learned?

Antonio Stojanovski Coach, Croatia

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

Tips on breaking through a defence line?

Hi my name is Mac and i am a 8 man and i struggle to push through a defensive line when i have the ball due to how my coaches make us practice so i wanted to know tips on how to push/break through a defensive line when i have the ball.

Mac Coach, United States of America

Tackling progression plan to improve confidence in tackles

I need to put together a progressive tackling session for an U16 girls 10-a-side team, who are tackling at an U14s boys level. They have done a tonne of basic technique but cant deliver the agression come game time. I need to help them building confidence and technique.Thanks, Coach from Australia.

Raphael Wood Coach, Australia

Progression

in this drill, can I add extra defender with a tackling bag and another attacker. Basically 1 attacker hits the bag with 1 attacker cleaning out the bag and last attacker cleans out defender trying to slow down/steal the ball as a progression to this drill?

rameez baradien Coach, South Africa

Progression

in this drill, can I add extra defender with a tackling bag and another attacker. Basically 1 attacker hits the bag with 1 attacker cleaning out the bag and last attacker cleans out defender trying to slow down/steal the ball as a progression to this drill?

rameez baradien Coach, South Africa

passing

drills for passing with u8s

Poppy R Coach, United Kingdom

Preseason

What's the recommended periodisation for introducing each element during preseason in a 12 week block?

Nela Tuipulotu Coach, Australia

progression

How do you make is easier or harder for people that find the drill too demaning/difficult or people that find it too easy

max gardiner Coach, England

progression - Sportplan

How do you make is easier or harder for people that find the drill too demaning/difficult or people that find it too easy

max gardiner Coach, England

Tackling progression plan to i...

I need to put together a progressive tackling session for an U16 girls 10-a-side team, who are tackling at an U14s boys level. They have done a tonne of basic technique but cant deliver the agression come game time. I need to help them building confidence and technique.Thanks, Coach from Australia.

Raphael Wood Coach, Australia

When can I start teaching tack...

I coach under 8's and next season they will start contact. When am I allowed to start teaching them tackling skills? I sit january during their under 8 season or at the start of the under 9 season ?

brian mills Coach, England

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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