Rugby: running lines

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Game Management: Decision Making Under Pressure

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November 2025

DRILLS (32)SESSIONS (2) ANSWERS (18)

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running lines DRILLS

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2 vs 2 (quick scissor)

This is a basic 2 v 2 drill to allow players to progress from a simple 2 v 1. In a channel no wider than 10m, 2 attackers have 5 attempts to score a try on the red cones. Left attacker makes swerving run to left of defender, before making an inside pass. The right attacker starts run towards oppo defender before stepping in to take pass and bringing the right defender across. The left attacker immediately changes direction to take a flat run and scissor pass before beating the right attacker on the outside

Decision making

4 vs 1 vs 1

Players work in groups of six, with 1 ball per group and set up in the following way: 4 attackers vs 1 defender (between the first cones) and another defender between the second set of cones. Defenders can only move sideways in an attempt to stop the attackers getting through the area.

Decision making

5 Attacks 3

Using cones mark out the four corners and the midways points of each side of a 20 x 20 meter training area. Divide your players into groups of 8, and allocate one group of 8 to each training area. Have one coach at each training area, and one ball. Each player should have their own cone to stand on, as shown in the diagram. Have more than one training area in order to keep your players as busy as possible. Tell your players the following...... This will be a 5 v 3 attacking opportunity for the 5 players given the ball. There are 4 players on the midpoint positions, one on each side of the training area. The coach will give the ball to one of those players. The 4 closest players will join the ball carrier in attack, the opposite 3 players will become defenders. The try line is just across the defenders starting line. The defenders operate within the laws of the game and should try to stop the attack by turning the ball, forcing a mistake, or pushing the attack out of the playing area. The attack should aim to score a try, but should play within the laws of the game. When the attack is over the coach will take the ball and players should return to their starting positions for the next attack. Don't forget to give every player the opportunity to play in attack and defence by changing the starting position of the ball.

Sevens

Ball Presentation on Tackle Pop

Groups of 3. Ball One player performs a tackle on his knees. The ball carrier works to manage the contact area by using footwork/fend. Aim is try work aorund a question mark shape - to get line of sight to support runner. Try to keep to hands on the ball before giving the pop/pass. Support runner must tempo run to time his suport line correctly come in narrow so the pop isnt hard.

Ball Presentation

Continuous Attacking

Groups of four, 1 attacker and three defenders Coach calls out the number of a defender as the attacker retreats to allow that defender and the attacker to continue the drill Attacker reacts to defender and attempts to score

Agility & Running Skills

Escape To Victory

Within each group of 10, there should be 4 attackers and 6 defenders. The defenders should be in the outer grid and the attackers will be in the inner grid. The defenders cannot enter the inner grid. The players can pass the ball in any direction inside the inner grid, and can move around as much as they like. When they attack outside the inner grid, they can only use non forward passes. The aim of the game is for the attackers to touch the ball down outside the outer grid, without getting touched. If the attacker gets touch, they swap places with the defender that touched them - they become a defended and the defender now becomes an attacker. Decide on two handed or one handed touch, it's your call. You might also decide to give your four attackers a period of time and unlimited touches before switching defensive and attacking players. Don't forget to give everyone a chance in attack and defence.

Warm Up

One on One Race

Tell the players: The player in possession of the ball when the coach blows their whistle has to run around the cone at the end of the grid to try and run the full length of the grid to score a try. The player from the opposition in line with the player that is running can try to stop the player scoring by running around the cone and tagging the runner before they reach the line. For tag rugby players, provide all players with tags. In other variations decide on touch or contact, depending on how warm the players are - and your training goals. Provide coaching on the go with encouraging feedback.

Agility & Running Skills

One Touch Off-Load

Keep your player briefing; brief, and get them working as soon as possible.I can't stress this enough, it's not a debating society - players want to play. Split your players into two teams, giving each team their own set of bibs - if necessary. One team will be in attack, the other in defence. Tell the players we are going to play one touch off-load, the normal laws of rugby apply. Any forward passes etc. will result in the ball being turned over. When a player is touched, they must pass right away without delay. A delay will result in the ball being turned over. Use your own judgement here, taking into account the age and skill level of the players. Alternative: You might decide that one team will play 5 minutes in attack no matter what - and 5 minutes in defence. They have unlimited touches, you can change this depending on your training goals. Let them play - don't tell them what it's all about. Let them discover, remember this is the warm-up! Don't hesitate to change any of the above to suit your training goals/targets.

Warm Up

Tag: Hounds and Hairs

The attackers need to get from one end of the grid, a safe zone, to the other end of the grid, another safe zone, without getting touched. You decide if the touch should be two hands or one hand. You decide when Hares can run, the attack begins on your call and each Hare has 10 seconds to start their attack. If a Hare is touched, they become a Hound - joining the defence. The last Hare standing or touched is the winner. The last two Hares in each game, become the first two Hounds. Tell your players the laws of this game, but keep your player briefing, brief!

Warm Up

The Three S Drill (Speed, Swerve and Sidestep)

Coach calls a number, that player acts as a defender. Attacker tries to score without being tagged using one of the three S (Speed, Swerve, and Sidestep)

Agility & Running Skills

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

Running Lines and Breakdown Co...

<li dir="ltr">A coach or scrum half feeds a ball carrier who should be running onto the ball.<li dir="ltr">The ball carrier should run towards the tackle sausage and use footwork and a hand off to move past the tackle sausage towards the first two tackle bags.<li dir="ltr">The player should aim to hit the gap between the two tackle bags and power beyond the contact.<li dir="ltr">Those two players then drop the bags and follow the original runner in support.<li dir="ltr">The ball carrier then hits the bag, goes to ground and looks to lift the ball up to one of his support players. <li dir="ltr">The next player then hits the last tackle bag, goes to ground and presents the ball.<li dir="ltr">The next support player clears away the bag to secure the ball.This drill works on a number of skills (running onto the ball, hand off, footwork and hitting gaps, communication and support, clearing out a ruck) in continuity which means its more game realistic and trains players to not only perform the individual skills, but also to be thinking about how the skills link together and what their next job is.

General

Running Lines with Defence Pas...

Running straight and changing your running line will make players better attackers and underpins an effective 2 v 1Start with a 5 v 3 situation, all five attackers start in a slightly angled line with the end player with ball in handOn Go, the play starts and the first pass is made. The receiving player runs a straight line toward the opposing player and 'fixes them up', meaning the defender is square on and must make the decision to either tackle or anticipate the pass

General

Straight running and passing A...

3 players line up in a straight line, approximately 10m apart, each standing opposite an agility pole. The ball is passed by a scrumhalf to the first receiver The reciver runs straight at the pole and passes the ball to the next player who does the same. Play continues until the third man has completed the exercise

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

Channel & Lane Running Passing...

Set up a 8 channels of cones 5 metres apartA group of 4 players start on the side line, and all players need to work around the nearest/corner cone.The first player with the ball will run into the nearest channel of cones (lane 1) and all the other players will work around the corner cone and filter into the proceeding channelsThe 1st player passes the ball as soon as the 2nd player gets into the 2nd channel. The ball is passed down the line of 4 players until the 4th players receives the ball.Once the 4th player receives the ball, the ball is placed down and all the players work around to get into their respective channel to repeat the process.

General

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 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

Rugby: Running into space from...

2 groups of 2 players start on set cones about 15m apart. The 2 players are situated one in behind the other, the same goes for the second set of 2 players. Once the player with the ball starts to run, the supporter goes wide and straightens onto a gate of cones. As soon as he passes the ball the second supporter can start to move out to his designated gate. Ensure that the players hide behind one another!

General

Single File Running Tag Rugby ...

Groups of 5 1 Ball per group. Ball at the front of the group. The first player runs out to the 5 meter line then stops, turns slightly and gives a little pop pass to player 2 and holds the ball for player 2, who then runs on for 5 meters and stops, turns slightly and gives a little pop pass. When player 5 gets the ball a try is scored and the group will have travelled 25 meters in total in a straight line. When the group has finished they will be standing in a straight line in a chain 5 meters apart.

General

Reload Rucking Ruck - Rugby Dr...

Set up two defenders holding hit shields opposite two even lines of players.The ball starts with the first man in one of the lines, he runs towards the defender, hits the hit shield and goes down to present the ball. The player behind him in the line clears the defender off the ball and the third player in the line passes the ball off the floor to the first player in the other line who is running onto the pass and runs at the defender.The players from the first line join the back of their line. The player who has received the pass hits the hit shield, goes to ground and presents the ball towards his team.The second player clears out the defender, and the third player passes the ball off the floor to the first player in the other line. Players switch roles after each repetition, and should switch lines to practice passing in both directions of the floor.

General

Passing Lines of 5 Passing - R...

Set up an area of about 15 x 15m. Have 2 teams of 5+ players, with 1 one ball.The players can run anywhere in the area but can't run with the ball. The first team that get 10 passes wins a point. If the ball in intercepted or dropped then turnover. The 1st pass is after the turnover is free.Stop the game every 1 minute to stretch for 30 seconds.PROGRESSIONPlayers can run with the ballPlayers can run with the ball for 2 seconds onlyOverhead passes onlyTouch the ball on the ground before passingCan't pass back to the person you've received it from

General

Wide Passing Lines Sevens - Ru...

The two feeders should be 15 meters apart and will........ Feed the left most attacking unit with a ball, they will move forward at pace passing down the line and setting the ball down when it hits the last receiver. The first feeder will without delay pass the ball onto the right attacking unit, they will do the same as the left attacking unit, on their side of the pitch. Both attacking lines should realign and take a ball from the second feeder, before turning and working their way up the pitch, running the same exercise. Players should change their position in the line.

General

Straight line drop Agility & R...

Two lines (1 line working, 1 line resting).The first line moves up 10 meters (2 cones). Upon reaching that cone they drop to the floor and quickly regain to their feet.The line then retreats back 5 meters (1 cone).The line sets in defense with one foot forward.The line is then ready to move up another 10 meters (2 cones) and continues the drill.When the line has reached the last set of cones, the players turn around and sprint back to the start.

General

Diamond shape supporting lines...

This is an exercise for continuity and support for attacking play Lay out a rectangular playing area, with four attackers and minimum three defenders The attackers begin in a diamond formation, with the ball carrier at the front The defenders are then stacked in rows, one defender per row, spread out diagonally The ball carrier is tackled by the first man, and offloads to one of the two supporting attackers The receiver of the pass runs and is tackled by the next defender and they offload to one of two supporting attackers As one of the four attackers will be on the floor from a tackle, the next phase will include three attackers, who should be in an arrow formation

General

Simple Hands 2 V 1 Match Relat...

Coach or feeder standing on the touchline. Player A start five metres away and player B on the five metre channel. Once the coach has fed the ball in the players must complete a simple 2 on 1. If the feeder drifts across the player dummies and runs through.

General

Quick hand and quick positioni...

4 players work together in a 6x6m grid. Players attack each line of the square, from the inside. Once they get to the 4th man they move onto the next closest line to the ball carrier. All the players in support must get into a good position to receive the ball deep and work onto the ball straight towards the line. Players keep going until they finish the last line of the grid.

General

Evasion race Agility & Running...

Divide your players into two groups and set up two lines of cones about 3m apart. Each cone should be 1.5m apart in a straight line. The player in front must go through the cones evading from one side to another return and give the ball to the next player to go They are done when the ball is back in the hand of the player which went first Each player needs to pass through the grid and they end with the ball back in the hands of the player that started.

General

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

Sausage Wrestle and Jackal Con...

Groups of 3 Sausage Ball1 player lines up opposite a standing sausage, wrestles it to the floor, landing chest ontop of the bag. A 2nd play holding a ball puts the ball down on the right side of the sausage as if it was an attacker placing it. The first play wrestling the sausage, bouncers up and competes for the ball (remeber to release) The 3rd player once the ball has been placed tries to clear the player competing for the ball.

General

2 vs 2 (out - in support line)...

This is a basic 2 v 2 drill to allow players to progress from a simple 2 v 1. In a channel no wider than 10m, 2 attackers have 5 attempts to score a try on the red cones. The attackers try to create space and beat the defenders by running good support and holding lines.

General

Simple Hands - Left Passing - ...

Simple handling drill working on catching, passing and straight line running. Line up in lines of three or four. The feeder plays the ball to the first receiver and player transfer the ball along the line of players.

General

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running lines SESSIONS

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Running Lines and Fixing Defenders

Create doubt in the defender's mind by getting your ball carrier to run straight with the ball, and support runners to run good lines to create depth and width

Scanning Session - Scanning in the Tackle

Use this plan to Improve your players' pass selection and completion - helping them to pick the right pass

running lines ANSWERS

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How do I get my players to play structured rugby?How?

How do I get my players to play structured rugby?How to improve their running lines?

how do i coach the miss pass

Ask a question and have it answered by Coaches from around the world and Sportplan's team of Expert how do i coach the miss pass

how do i coach the miss pass in rugby?

4 answers

HOW CAN I IMPROVE PLAYERS ABILITY TO PERFORM THE LATERAL?

HOW CAN I IMPROVE PLAYERS ABILITY TO PERFORM THE LATERAL PASS ?

dean Coach, England

4 answers

What's the best to get my team to hit the gain line?

What's the best to get my team to hit the gain line at full pace? It is a huge problem to get it into there noggin's

How can i develop the loop pass

Dan Linford-Jones Coach, England

3 answers

Making the full-back position an attractive proposition.

Making the full-back position an attractive proposition. Often over-looked, the full-back position is a vital player in anyones team if he is used and brought into the game. Does anyone have any technical/positional material to coach prospective players in this position?

7 answers

how do you become better at running lines and angles?

how do you become better at running lines and angles when attacking with the ball in rugby

What are the main qualities fullbacks should have

What are the main qualities fullbacks should have?

4 answers

Shortened lineup. Where should my forwards position themselves...?

Any advice as to where rest of forwards should line up without getting in way of fly half and other backs for example in a 3 man lineout?

What is 1v1 side defence-go forward?

Doing level two and have forgotten what the above means........

johnwrobertson Coach, England

2 answers

How can I improve my team's line speed in defence?

How can I improve my team's line speed in defence? Are there any drills which can help me?

michael klieve Coach, England

10 answers

Defence, who must tackle a player cutting in?

Hi. Please let me have your input. 15-a-side Boys. Whose responsibility is it to tackle a player that cuts into the backline? Lets say the attacking team's FB cuts in between the C's , should my inside C then go for the tackle? We have sweepers (usually the SH and no 8) to cover breaks.

Johan Coach, South Africa

2 answers

Fullback{15}

What is the role of a fullback during a rugby game and how can he try to read the game

Breezy Coach, South Africa

training drills for 1331

what drills would a coach implement in training to support a 1331 attack?

Will Marsh Coach, England

Patience on attack

Good day all I would just like to get some advice or feedback.Our 0/13 team is playing very good rugby but when they enter an opponets 22 them seem to start rushing there play and make mistakes like knock-ons.How can whe get that out our game and to capatilize and score points and stay calm.

Dillan Van Wyk Coach, South Africa

u8s running sideways not forwa...

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.

Mac Coach, United States of America

7 answers

Tips on breaking through a def...

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.

2 answers

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