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Rugby: switches

switches DRILLS
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Flick and Back Pass Insanity

Now split your players into two teams, giving one group of players a set of colored bibs to set them apart, and quickly tell your players the following laws: No forward passes. All passes need to be flicks or back passes with one hand. When touched, stop and set the ball down. The pass off the ground must also be a flick or one handed back pass. Another player from your team will act as scrum half - passing the ball to his teammates, who will continue the attack. Each team will be allowed five touches before they must turn the ball over (you can make this more or less depending on the skill level of your players and what you're hoping to achieve during the session.) Some coaches decide on unlimited touches, only turning the ball over when a mistake is made by the attack e.g. a knock on. Knock on's and other law infringements will result in a turn over to the opposition. Don't be afraid to play these laws a little, e.g. for younger players you might even go as far as to allow some knock on's or turn a blind eye to the odd forward pass - let them play a little and have fun!

Passing

Join the attack: 2v1 - 3v2 - 5v4

With a group of nine, tell two of them they are attackers - for now. The rest will be in defence. Allocate your defenders within the grid, one defender at defenders cone 1, two defenders at defenders cone 2, and three defenders at defenders cone 3. Tell the defenders that they can move side to side, but not forward and back. Also - tell the players on defenders cones 1 and 2, that they will join the attack when they have finished their defensive duties. So after the first 2 v 1, the 1 defender joins the attack to make the next attack 3 v 2, when this attack is over - the two defenders join the attack to make the last attack 5 v 4. Have your demonstration group quickly complete a walk through, then a run through. Now get the other groups working. Don't forget to give the last four defenders a chance in attack.

Warm Up

L With Defenders

Keep your player briefing, brief! It's important to get your players working as quickly as possible. Lets get the ball and the players moving with lateral passing through the hands. Each training area only needs one ball, and that ball should be with any of most players. Tell players to move forward, passing the ball down the line - they do not need to wait on any call by you. When the ball gets to the last receiver, that player will pass it to the first receiver in the next line - they should advance without delay. Allow the players to moving the ball along the lines. After you feel the players are comfortable, tell them that they can be as creative as they like with respect to passing e.g. miss passes, switches etc. Introduce one defender, let the defender drift - but they must start from around 10 meters back. When you are happy with one defender, add two, and finally three defenders. Keep the same defenders in place for a about 10 attacks, then rotate. Allow the players to discover, though questioning, the best possible way to respond to what they see in terms of moving the ball. Players should change positions in the line after each run. Don't forget to change out the defenders.

Passing

Lateral - Switch

Using cones, mark out a training area 15 meters x 10 meters. Split your players into groups of 2. Allocate 4 groups of 2 to each training area. If you can, give each group of two their own ball. Have enough training areas to keep all of your players as busy and active as possible. Tell your players the following...... Players in pairs with a ball between them. The player on the left starts with the ball and passes the ball to the player to the right. The player with the ball then runs diagonally across the grid, while the player without the ball crosses/switches over behind the ball carrier, ready to receive the ball at the next cone. They continue passing left to right and crossing over in each grid until they reach the end. Once at the end they run back to the start to the right of the grid, practicing the same skill on the way back but without cones to guide them. Progression: Add in a defender with a ruck shield, just to add a little pressure.

Passing

Living On The Edge

Split the players into two teams, giving each team their own set of bibs. Two different colours that clearly define the teams. Keep your player briefing, brief. It's important that you get your players moving as quickly as possible. Tell the players that we will be playing One Touch Ruck, see the laws surrounding this game in the Warm-Ups section of the SportPlan site. Briefly - when an attacking player is touched while carrying the ball: they go to ground and either pop or present the ball for a minimum of two supporting players to ruck over. The defence should behave as they normally would at the ruck, committing two players who will not compete for the ball or go into contact. The defence should employ their normal patterns around the ruck. The attacking team can have three touches in a row between the 15 meter lines, if they move the ball to the either of the 15 meter channels they can have another four touches in that channel before having to move the ball back out. If the attacking team moves quickly from one 15 meter channel to the other (exploiting space), they get a bonus of 4 touches in that zone. If any attacking team exceeds the number of touches they can sustain inside a channel, the ball is turned over. Play with these laws a bit - keeping an eye on what you want to achieve in this session. The normal laws of rugby apply, any law infringements result in a turn over. There is no kicking in this game. Don't forget to give the defence a turn in attack, if for any reason the attacking team is particularly good at retaining the ball. If they are, well done you as a coach!

Warm Up

Many hands

Tell your players the following...... Each group of two players should have their own ball. While they have a partner, they can pass to anyone. They just need to move the ball, pass and catch. They also need to move around the training area. They can pass in any direction. Go - lets just get moving. After a little time, tell the players that their pass must be legal.

Passing

Passing Central

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.

Passing

RANGI (VERSION 3)

Use the diagram to highlight suggested starting positions. 10 advances with the ball, then cuts in. 12 advances, and cuts with 10. 13 runs towards the 10's position. 15 times a run from behind 12, just outside the 12's position. 10 dummy switches with 13, before passing to 15.

Backs Moves

Tri-Attack

Tell your players the following...... The first line of attackers move forward, passing the ball down the line. The entire group switches position to the right side of the grid, and attacks as a line. They then attack down the grid through the top of the grid, facing the next line of attack.

Passing

Wave After Wave

The front line of players run towards the other side of the grid while passing the ball down the line. When the last player in the line receives the ball the line form behind runs through and receives the ball to continue to the other side of the grid. The first wave should realign behind the second wave, when the second wave has the ball.

Warm Up

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

SWITCH 1 Backs Moves - Rugby D...

See the diagram for suggested starting positions. 10 carried the ball forward, inviting the defence to press up. 10 cuts in. 12 presses up and cuts in towards 10 on a switch. 10 passes to 12 on the switch. 12 hits at an angle before straightening up. 15/13/14 provide support, 15 provide close support.

General

Switch Over Attack Passing - R...

Drill to practice attacking organisational skillsSet up a grid roughly 20m wide and 20m long, with different coloured cones at one end and 5m away from that end (see diagram).3 defending players line up at one end (blue players between white cones) and 5m infront of them 4 attacking players line up (red players between green cones). One further defender waits at the opposite end of the grid.On the coaches command the three defending players run to the green cones and turn to defend. Meanwhile the four attacking players run to the white cones and turn to attack, receiveing the ball from the coach (grey). They are trying to score at the far end of the grid (red cones).Once the attack have beaten the defensive line the final defender may move forward off the try line (red cones) and try and defend.

General

Lateral - Switch Passing - Rug...

Using cones, mark out a training area 15 meters x 10 meters. Split your players into groups of 2. Allocate 4 groups of 2 to each training area. If you can, give each group of two their own ball. Have enough training areas to keep all of your players as busy and active as possible. Tell your players the following...... Players in pairs with a ball between them. The player on the left starts with the ball and passes the ball to the player to the right. The player with the ball then runs diagonally across the grid, while the player without the ball crosses/switches over behind the ball carrier, ready to receive the ball at the next cone. They continue passing left to right and crossing over in each grid until they reach the end. Once at the end they run back to the start to the right of the grid, practicing the same skill on the way back but without cones to guide them. <span style=&quot;text-decoration: underline;&quot;><em>Progression</em>: Add in a defender with a ruck shield, just to add a little pressure.

General

Dummy Switch Behind (DSB) Back...

10 advances with the ball, running slightly inwards. 10 changes the angle of their run, towards the first post. 12 runs across 10 on a dummy switch. 10 fakes a pass to 12, but keeps going. 13 runs parallel to 12. 11 runs across and behind 13. 10 passes to 11, the ball should be passed behind 13. Think about what will happen next, passing option, cancel options, and variations on this move. Your back-line should remain flexible at all time.

General

Switch Back Flick Sevens - Rug...

The ball carrier advances, running diagonally across the grid with the player on the other cone doing the same, but with a delay. The ball carrier can then switch or back flick the ball to the supporting runner. The supporting runner passes the ball back to the nearest player waiting from the next group, when they get the ball, they go. That's it, play.

General

Right to left with a switch Pa...

Players in pairs with a ball between them. The player on the right starts with the ball and passes the ball to the player to the left. The player with the ball then runs diagonally across the grid to the next cone while the player without the ball crosses over behind the ball carrier, ready to receive the ball at the next cone. They continue passing right to left and crossing over in each grid until they reach the end. Once at the end they run back to the start to the right of the grid, practising the same skill on the way back but without cones to guide them.

General

Rugby: Building The Switch Pas...

Keep your player briefing short and tell your players the following.... 3 attackers line up on the first three cones, the rest fall in behind. One attacking line will go at a time. The SH will work from near the top of the grid - off to the left. The first attacking line goes. The SH passes to the first receiver in the attacking line.. The ball carrier and the second receiver switch - using the top to cones as targets. They can..... Switch, dummy, pass to the 3rd receiver. That's it - let the players play.

General

2 v 2 (switch) Decision making...

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. Condition defence so that the defender marking support runner stays out and doesn't move in to defend ball carrier

General

Rugby: Backs move: DSM (Dummy ...

- 1st reciver runs a dummy switch with the 12. - 15 runs an under and out line of the back of the 13.- The 10 now has an option of hitting the 13 on a hard line. - Or missing him and hitting the 15 on the outer line.

General

Switch Agility & Running Skill...

Groups of 2.1 ball per group.Run straight then change direction at the first cone. Attack the opposite corner and pass to the support runner, before straightening your run to finish.

General

Left to right with a switch Pa...

Players in pairs with a ball between them. The player on the left starts with the ball and passes the ball to the player to the right. The player with the ball then runs diagonally across the grid to the next cone while the player without the ball crosses over behind the ball carrier, ready to receive the ball at the next cone. They continue passing left to right and crossing over in each grid until they reach the end. Once at the end they run back to the start to the right of the grid, practising the same skill on the way back but without cones to guide them.

General

Tri-Attack Passing - Rugby Dri...

Tell your players the following...... The first line of attackers move forward, passing the ball down the line. The entire group switches position to the right side of the grid, and attacks as a line. They then attack down the grid through the top of the grid, facing the next line of attack.

General

Loop (L1,L2,L3) Passing - Rugb...

Keep your player briefing, brief! It's important to get your players working as quickly as possible. Lets get the ball and the players moving with lateral passing through the hands. Each training area only needs one ball, and that ball should start with the any of the two players at the very ends of the L. Tell players to move forward, passing the ball down the line. When the ball gets to the last receiver, that player will pass it to the first receiver in the next line that is waiting to go. They should advance right away. Allow the players to simply move the ball down the lines, don't mention the Miss Pass. After you feel the players are comfortable, tell them...... Any player can now call an L1,L2,L3,L4 - depending on their position in the attacking line. This means that they can pass and loop round the back of the rest of the attack to collect the ball and continue the attack. An example of this would be: L2, player passes, loops around two other players, and collects the ball in attack. Allow the players to discover, though questioning, the best possible way of executing and calling the (L) move. Players should change position in the line after each run.

General

RANGI (VERSION 1) Backs Moves ...

Use the diagram to highlight suggested starting positions. 10 is the ball carrier, advancing forward, before cutting in as shown in the diagram. 12 advances, and cut in on the same line as 10. 13 advances and cuts across 12, taking a switch pass from 10. 15 and 14 press up.

General

MAX 3 Backs Moves - Rugby Dril...

See the diagram for the suggested starting positions. 10 moves forward carrying the ball. 11 could provide a decoy run. 12 and 13 switch. 13 takes a pass from 10. both 12 and 13 advance, 12 in support of the ball carrier.

General

MAX 1 Backs Moves - Rugby Dril...

See the diagram for the suggested starting positions. 10 moves forward carrying the ball. 12 moves forward, cuts in. 10 cuts in, and 10/12 run a dummy switch. 15 runs a line behind 13, 13 cuts out. 15 cuts in on an angle. 10 passes to 15. 13/14 provide support and passing options.

General

7's Colour Touch Sevens - Rugb...

Tell your players the following..... The attack will remain in attack for 5 minutes, you'll then switch over. Normal rules of sevens apply, but this game will be touch to start with. When the ball carrier is touched, they must set the ball down, another player can then move it from the ground. The touch is considered a ruck. When the coach calls a defenders colour e.g. RED - the two players in defence wearing red drop to the ground and complete 3 press-ups, they can then return to their feet and are back in the game. That's it, play. Keep your player chats brief, but through questioning highlight that the downed players in defence open up space, what do we attack - SPACE!

General

React to space and attack Back...

5 players start on a straight line of cones about 5m apart. 10m away there are 5 more cones. Two of the 5 cones are blue, and two are red, and the middle cone is orange. The player on the orange cone never defends, he always attacks and always starts with the ball in hand.The coach shouts a colour and the players who are standing on those cones must run forward and touch the cone 10m away from them. It will always be 2 defenders, but their positions will slightly vary. Once the first defending player has touched the furthest cone across from where he started the orange player can initiate attack. The orange player will have 2 supporters, one either side of him.The ball carrier should look to attack the &quot;Mid-Space&quot; i.e. the space between the 2 defenders, as hard as he possibly can. This will cause at least one of the defenders to move in towards him, and therefore open up space for the supporter.You will notice as the drill goes on, if the ball carrier runs at this space hard enough, the defenders are sometimes caught in two minds of &quot;its your man&quot; and the attacker will glide straight through the gap, but only if he is explosive from the word go!!

General

ALPHA Backs Moves - Rugby Dril...

10 is the ball carrier, advancing forward, before cutting in as shown in the diagram. Both 12 and 13 advance, then change direction as shown in the diagram. 12 and 13 switch. 10 provides a pass to 13, who either hits the opposition defensive line at an angle before straightening up. Think about what will happen next. Could 10 follow the pass and take an off-load on an inside ball, if 13 gets past the gain line could 15 and 14 off wide support? Make this move your own!

General

LOOP MOVE (SIMPLE) Backs Moves...

See the diagram for suggested starting positions. 10 passes to 12. 10 loops around 12, 12 passes to 10, this pass should be as close to the opposition defensive line as possible. 10 should hit in tight off 12's shoulder. 13 should run a decoy line, allowing 10 some space to attack. Optional, 10 passes to 13, possibly in contact via an off-load. Think about how other players can support the ball carrier.

General

3v2 School - Rugby Drills, Rug...

Set up two lines of 3 cones, about 10 meters apart, with players on each of the three cones. On the coach's whistle players play out a 3v2 (always 3 attackers and 2 defenders). Defenders should look initially to defend the first 2 attackers.

General

Grip Game For Offloads Off Loa...

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

General

Rugby: Backs move - Rangi - Sp...

Use the diagram to highlight suggested starting positions.10 is the ball carrier, advancing forward, before cutting in as shown in the diagram.12 advances, and cut in on the same line as 10.13 advances and cuts across 12, taking a switch pass from 10.15 and 14 press up.

General

RANGI (VERSION 3) Backs Moves ...

Use the diagram to highlight suggested starting positions. 10 advances with the ball, then cuts in. 12 advances, and cuts with 10. 13 runs towards the 10's position. 15 times a run from behind 12, just outside the 12's position. 10 dummy switches with 13, before passing to 15.

General

Quickhands Passing - Rugby Lea...

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

General

Lower back stretch Warm Up - R...

Players lie flat on their back and bend their knees together and press them against the floor. Slowly move the knees left and then right on the ground.

General

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switches ANSWERS
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I need a defence pattern for my under 15 boys team...?

I need a defence pattern for my under 15 boys team... could you please draw out a defensive pattern for the boys to play by this friday

Archived User Coach

pre season training for rugby

pre season training for rugby

Archived User Coach

Any view on counter attacking a full back entering?

Any view on counter attacking a full back entering the line against a man to man marking system?

David Coach, England

my youth teams are seriously creative in attack but they lack ability to penetrate. how do i help them?

I coach both males and females. In training they seem to get it however in games they tend to pass the ball from side to side but they seldom go forward. They play pretty rugby with switches, loops and miss ones.

Archived User Coach

switch pass in rugby union - S...

switch pass in rugby union

maria Coach, England

My team takes 15min to really ...

My team takes 15min to really start playing... what should I do? These are high school boys that have never played the sport before. After a few games, they play really well in the 2nd half but by that time we are down 2 or 3 tries. Is it a warmup issue? Nerves? Any ideas?

Mike McD Coach, Canada

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