Rugby: receiving

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Women's Rugby 2025: A Record Year for Coaching

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Rugby Rugby Trends Game Management: Decision Making Under Pressure

Game Management: Decision Making Under Pressure

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November 2025

DRILLS (29)SESSIONS (4) ANSWERS (24) COMMUNITY (10)

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receiving DRILLS

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cross over running

5 x 5m grid, size can vary according to ability.Player at the front of each queue starts with a ball, runs diagonally across square and gives a pop pass to the player at the front of the oppoisite queue.

Agility & Running Skills

Defender - Round and Realign

Tell your players the following...... There will be one ball to each group, any player can be the ball carrier. Each group will have one defender, the defenfer will not have to go around the cone. On GO, the group moves towards the closest cone.At the cone, the players spread out and attack the line at pace and with width. They should realign following the attack left, to attack again right. When the second groups sees the first group complete their first set of passes, they should begin without waiting. The defender should swap with another player in their group. Variations: Make the training area small to force quick hands. Make the training area wider to increase the length of the pass. Allow players to be creative in attack.

Passing

Drift defence

4 Tackle Bags. 10 Cones and 1 Ball. 10m x 30m. The first player in the line begins with the ball. As he approaches the first cone and passes to player 2 who is supporting. Player 1 carries on their run and hits the tackle bag before running backwards to player 2 original position. Player 2 on receiving the ball passes the ball onto player 3 before hitting the tackle bag and back pedalling to player 3 original position. When the ball reaches player 5, that player side steps behind the others back to position 1 where the drill is repeated.

Defensive Patterns

Fan Out and Pass

Keep your player briefing, brief! You may decide to have a demonstration grid. On your call, all players fan out to receive a pass. Players initially attack half the space in the grid, that way the lines do not cross into each others space, as you can see in the animation. Players should then attack the full width of the grid, there will be intersection and some confusion. Players stay within the grid. When they finish an attack (the ball is moved down the line), the last player to recieve the ball should score a try just outside the grid - and the line should get set in their new location to go again. Player initially rotate in a clockwise direction. Change this after a period of time. Make sure that players change position in the attacking line.

Passing

Heads up Passing

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. Once the teams have master that - lets get all four units running at one. The firt two groups go, when they each the mid-way point - the second two groups go. This will mean that all four gourps will be working at one. The groups keep moving unit you tell them to stop. Devlop this by alowing players to attack and be creative in their attack e.g. loop, M1, etc. There will be lots of traffic, they need to stay on their toes and work hard to keep the attack and the ball alive.

Passing

Kicking to support

One player starts with ball and runs to first cone, where he kicks the ball across to the other cone. The other player must time his run to collect the ball. He should be collecting the ball as near to full pace as he can. Either a grubber or a chip kick can be used. With a chip kick, the receiving player should try to catch the ball on the full.

Kicking

Pass within a channel

Tell the players the following..... This is simple, just attack from the bottom and top of the grid at pace. There can be two groups in the grid at any one time. Anyone in the line can start with the ball, and the attack should vary between lateral and creative. The ball and attack will be considered alive within the grid, so respond at all times. Players should change places within the attacking line after each attack. The starting position of the ball should change on each attack. Players should avoid contact within the grid.

Passing

Passing Box

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.

Passing

Round and Realign

Tell your players the following...... There will be one ball to each group, any player can be the ball carrier. On GO, the group moves towards the closest cone.At the cone, the players spread out and attack the line at pace and with width. They should realign following the attack left, to attack again right. When the second groups sees the first group complete their first set of passes, they should begin without waiting.

Passing

Staying Alive

Tell your players the following... The first player runs into the grid, the ball carrier. They attack the inner square. When they get into that square, they then pass to a player either on their left or right before following their pass and taking the place of the receiver on the cone. The receiving player then runs into the grid and passes (left or right) before following their pass once again. Passes should be legal.

Passing

Jump Hurdle, Receive Pass, Spr...

Good for warm ups and handling the ball under fatigue. 4 or 5 hurdles, cones for variations. Keep body square on when receiving ball and have one or two players working consecutively. Give target to receive the ball. When working around cones make sure to reach the mark and work hard to next hurdle. Finish by sprinting to designated point whereby more variation can be added.

General

Passing Central Passing - Rugb...

Keep your player briefing, brief - and get the players moving as quickly as you can. You may consider having a demo group. On your go: The player acting as the Scrum Half passes a ball to the grid on his right and then another ball to the grid on his left, both passes will be from the ground. Upon receiving the pass - each grid begins their 2 v 1 attack and the player with the tackle pad presses up in defence. When the player acting as the scrum half has completed their two passes, they join the attackers on either the left or right grid. The first receiver of each attack becomes a Scrum Half - or simply returns to the start of the grid to join a new attack as the first receiver. Players rotate positions e.g. Scrum Half, First Receiver, Second Receiver. Defenders can move forward and back, and side to side. Change the defenders often to give them a chance in attack.

General

Pass and Follow Warm Up - Rugb...

They pass the ball around either clock wise or anti clock wise, you can decide to change the direction youself at any point during the exercise. After the player passes the ball they have to follow their pass, touching the cone of the player they passed to - then get back to their cone before receiving the next pass. The tempo of this exercise should be high.

General

Jump Hurdle, Receive Pass, Spr...

General

Releasing the overlap Decision...

The scrum half starts with the ball. They pass to the first red player who then passes to the second red player who then passes to red player three into the free space To start with red defenders must only defend against red 1 and 2.

General

Simple Passing Warm Up Passing...

Passing and receiving exercise to warm the players up and get the handling skills ready for training.Minimum 9 players.Groups of three run out together in a lineAn end player starts with the ball and passes to the player next to them, who passes to the other end player of the three.That player then pops the ball off to the player in the next group of three opposite them.The passage continues.

General

2 vs 1 Decision making - Rugby...

Coach starts with the ball and can throw the ball to either one of the outside players of the 3 players ready to play. The player in the middle always joins the player receiving the ball to play a 2v1 against the the 3rd player who becomes the defender. The attacking players run around the cone nearest to them and the defender runs in the opposite direction. When they meet inside the grid the attacking players must use the extra man to get around the defender - either by passing or taking the man on.

General

Running Lines To Break The Gai...

This drill coaches players the lines they should run when receiving the ball in order to maximise the chance of them breaking the gain line.<li dir="ltr">Use a tackle bag to simulate where the ruck and offside line would be.<li dir="ltr">The players line up as if they were going to come "around the corner" to receive the ball.<li dir="ltr">Players should run an L shaped running line to get across the first defender and then footwork to get through the second defender.Progression (0.49) - Add an extra pass to the drill<li dir="ltr">For the first receiver the drill is exactly the same in terms of the running line.<li dir="ltr">Then there is a second player on his outside shoulder who uses the same running line to beat the second defender.<li dir="ltr">The first receiver has a choice (1.19) - whether to go through the gain line and pass or pass before he gets to the gainline.What is the gain line?The gain line is an imaginary line in rugby parallel to the halfway line that is the back foot of the breakdown or the defences offsideline.

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

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

Bat and Catch Challenge Passin...

Players make a semi circle around the coach, about 3meters away.The coach will have a ball in their hand at all times.One player will also start the drill with a ball in their hands.Player with the ball will pass to the coach who will use the ball in their hands to deflect it to one of the players in the circle.The receiving player will need to catch the ball and pass it back to the coach who will again deflect it to another player.If a ball is dropped by a player, they will have to go to the bottom of the semi-circle.The goal for players is to catch all balls that come their way and end up at the top of the semi-circle.

General

Depth, Fitness, Warming Up War...

This exercise is all about getting deep lines of support, speed onto the ball, warming up the entire body, and getting fit for rugby - in this one we're doing lots and achieving more than your players may realize. Using cones, mark out a box - size depends on your coaching goals. Have 4 passing units, 1 on each side of the box. Decide on the numbers that you would like in each unit, depends on the number of players at training and your goals for the training session. Give the first player in one of the units a ball, and the last player in the opposite facing unit a ball. The ball carrier starts on their feet, but the rest of the unit starts laying down on the ground. They can only get up to receive the ball when the ball carrier (who will be passing the ball to them) has advanced 1 meter. When the ball gets to the end of the line, the last receiver passes to the first receiver in the line closest to them. The units that have just finished should quickly change place to that the first runner is different each time, they should set and get ready to go again. Keep the action going.

General

Game To Coach Depth Sevens - R...

Four attackers, two defenders in quite a small playing area - trying to find space.The aim is for each team of four to try to score as many 'tries' as they can consecutively. Failure to score means the team of four changes over to the next team.Touch rugby game play.Attacking four players are aiming to touch the ball down on an end line.Defenders are aiming to touch the attackers.

General

Pass and follow in a grid Pass...

The first player runs into the grid and then passes square to a player either on their left or right before following their pass. The receiving player then runs into the grid and passes square before following their pass once again.

General

Handling Skills Warm Up Warm U...

Groups of four, players stand in a T shape with about two yards between each player.The player in the middle is the focal point and each round is designed to test that middle player as they will be doing the most passing and receiving.Player A - Player BPlayer B - Player CPlayer D - Player BPlayer B - Player DPlayer C - Player BPlayer B - Player APlayer D - Player BPlayer B - Player DThe middle player must receive from the side and pass out the other side.The middle player then plays a one-two return pass with the player opposite.The middle player then receives the ball from the side player they just gave it to and passes it back across to the original passer.Another one-two with the player opposite is then played.Switch positions clockwise after 20/30 seconds.

General

Bang & Bingo Warm Up - Rugby D...

Set up: the cones as shown with a cone 10 meters each side of the posts on the try line. This will mark where the ball will be passed from (feeder) preferably from a scrum half.Divide the group into 3 and ask them to stand in single file behind each cone.The ball is fed from a position alternately from either side of the post. This will encourage the players to scan, communicate and to be expectant of the ball.The players on the cones opposite the posts will either be the 1st receiver or the BANG option runner. The BANG runner is always running an out to in, or up to in line to fix the 2nd defender.The players on the middle cone will receive the ball in the BINGO (pull back) option outside the âoutsideâ post or just in behind the BANG player.The BINGO players should run and an arced run to receive the ball outside the outer post. The BINGO player should try to straighten up prior to receiving or on receiving the ball. Progression:Get 2 players or coaches to stand in front of the posts with 2 different coloured cones in their hands on their hips.The cones will represent the âhipsâ of the 2nd defender.The aim is to encourage the 1st receiver to scan, look, and make a quick decision (choice of pass) depending on what the defender is doing.If the 1st receivers sees the âinsideâ cone on the 2nd defender then they must assume the defenders hips are turned OUT and make a short pass to the BANG runner.If the 1st receivers sees the âoutsideâ cone on the 2nd defender then they must assume the defenders hips are turned IN and make a PULL BACK pass to the BINGO runner.

General

Quick Passing To Space Sevens ...

Give each training area one ball and tell the players the following...... One of the attacking lines takes the ball. They simply attack, moving the ball through the hands - lateral passing only. The defenders (there will be three), mark the first three attacks, they leave the forth free. Defenders can move up and down, left and right, but must leave channel 4 open. Defender start 10 meters back. The ball must go through all four attacking hands. Don't forget to switch the attackers and defenders.

General

Rugby: Turnover ball - Creatin...

5 players in a group, line up within touching distance of one another, facing the coach who has a ball in his hand.The coach then calls "turnover" and the Players quickly get width, but are not allowed to work backwards to get depth.Once the players get depth the coach lets the first man off the mark by popping the ball in the air, as it is popped he moves off the mark and accelerates onto the ball and moves forward.

General

Dont get tagged Tackling - Rug...

Teams of 3 against 1 Defender. The team of 3 start running and have to try and get to the other side. If the defender tags them they have to pass the ball, if a try is scored then then one point is awarded. Defender swap around with the judge - person that calls pass after every tag.

General

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receiving SESSIONS

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receiving ANSWERS

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What is the current thinking regarding kickoff receiving alignment?

Gary Kent Coach, United States of America

10 answers

Forward positions at kickoffs and what type of pods to run with and who does what

Hi there, I was wondering thoughts on forward positions at the kickoff. Do you have the catchers deep so the are coming forward to meet the ball or have one deep and one short? For the pods do you have a "quick" pod made up of all three loosies and a lock and a "slow" pod made up of the front row and the lock or do you split them in two pods made up of a prop, a lock and two loosies and the other pod of a prop, a lock, the hooker and a loosie? Who would you tell to be the ball carrier, body movers and bridger? All thoughts welcome. CheersDave

3 answers

Can anyone give me an idea on how to coach competing?

Can anyone give me an idea on how to coach competing for the kick off to U16s? We have a great drop kicker who really gets the ball to hang in the air. The loose forwards seem to have grasped the idea of getting to the area where the ball is landing but then seem to wait until the oppo's have claimed it and then make the tackle rather than compete while the ball is still in the air. Any ideas welcome. Cheers, James

2 answers

Catching a high ball. Any ideas for games/drills?

I assume the key factors to be looking at the ball, get in line with the trajectory, reach for the ball and cradle, sideways stance. Is that right?

5 answers

What is the best way of preventing / defending against?

What is the best way of preventing / defending against pancaking in the lineout after the receiver has caught the ball?

Drew Sagar Coach, Canada

3 answers

On the kickoff, the ball bounces over the touchline?

On the kickoff, the ball bounces over the touchline before it goes 10m. What is the following action or possible choices of action?

8 answers

Law 12 - the forward pass or throw forward

The law says that a forward pass is one "thrown forward" "in the direction of the opponents' goal line" Does that mean that, if the ball is passed and the receiver catches it NEARER to the opponents goal line than from where the ball was passed that the pass was forward? (Leaving to one side any other touches of the ball that might have taken place.) Maybe an example is better. Player 1 passes the ball sideways - releasing it on the 22 metre line. Player 2 (with no other player having touched the ball), running from well behind the 22 metre line, catches the ball when it has travelled sideways but the ball is now 20 metres from the opponents goal line (2 metres further forward from the place that the ball was passed). Is that a forward pass or throw forward? And if not, why not?

29 answers

My number 10 has a habit of running across on first?

My number 10 has a habit of running across on first phase ball thus our backs lack any go foward ball most times. Any ideas how we can remedy this habit will be a great help.

6 answers

Receiving a long 22m dropout

I am looking to put together a session on play from the restart, focussing on receiving a long 22 - any ideas would be appreciated. thx

0 answers

Put a session together on Receiving a reverse ball from a kick off

Looking to put a session together with "receiving a reverse ball from a kick off"

0 answers

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passing

drills for passing with u8s

Poppy R Coach, United Kingdom

Matt Coach, United States of America

Kickoff Alignment | Sportplan

I am looking for a set up for receiving a kickoff in rugby. We are using the expoloded scrum method and marking their forwards on the kickoff now. But if the forwards move or are split we end up looking like the Keystone Cops trying to match. What is a prefered set up?

Gary Kent Coach, United States of America

What is the current thinking r...

What is the current thinking regarding kickoff receiving alignment?

10 answers

Motion of the first receiver f...

From a tap restart may the player who is to first receive the ball start runnning before the player taps the ball? The player receiving the ball is at all times behind the player tapping the ball.

7 answers

Forward positions at kickoffs ...

3 answers

receiving COMMUNITY DRILLS

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Loop

Gauntlet

PASSING & RECEIVING (Passing Back)Autosave 95545067PASSING & RECEIVING (Circle Passing)Autosave 95545067

PASSING & RECEIVING (Passing Back)Autosave 95545067

Aerobic passes

Autosave 66021069

Honen VariationHonen Variation

Passing in 2's

Kick off's

Autosave 99216903

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