Must pass

LOGIN

Subscribe today to access over 2000+ drills, 350+ ready made practice plans, and more.

A player must pass if there is someone in a better place to take the ball forward. This session first works on this principle and then makes the players consider when to use this skill. Concentrate on the accuracy of passes.

Warm up time: 5-7
Session time: 8-10
Development time: 8-10
Game time: 15-20
Warm down time: 5-7

What to think about

Setting up two defenders in one corridor focusing on one player, creates a more game like situation. You can think about banning miss passes in this session. Or, you might consider not using spin / torpedo passes.
Players should concentrate on making sure that the pass allows the receiver to accelerate into a gap or make the next pass accurately. Miss passes and spin passes do not always allow that to happen.

set-up

Get as close to the defence as possible before releasing the pass. Ensure this fixes the defenders and yet allows time for the ball to be moved to the player in space.
Use hard passes to move the ball quickly through the air.

What you get your players to do

Put one defender in the first corridor and two in the second. Put one attacker in each corridor at the opposite end. Have the first attacker move forward as far as he can before he passes the ball out. Measure how far he can get so that the attack is still successful in moving the ball to the furthest player. The defenders should move forward at full speed to cut down the attackers’ space, but they cannot move out of their corridor.

The first attacker moves close to the defenders before passing out. The defenders must stay in their corridors.

Development

In the same box, put a cone about 2 metres in front of the defenders. When the attack moves forward, the defenders sprint to their cone, after which they can change corridors if they want. Once in their new corridor they must stay in there. The attack can move into any corridor they like.

Related Files

Advanced-228-must-pass.pdfPDF, 156 KB

Defenders move to the cones and then choose a corridor in which to defend. They must stay in that corridor.

Game situation

Set up the four defenders and four attackers plus a 9 as in the bottom picture. On your signal, the defenders run to the cones, and defend in any one of the three corridors. After a few seconds release the attack, who aim to score at the far end. Play full contact rugby, with no rucks or mauls. Develop by allocating corridors to different defenders.

Defenders move around one of the cones and defend in that corridor. The attack aims to score at far end.

What to call out

“Pass at chest height”
“Reach for the ball”
“Pass firmly”

Dan Cottrell

Dan is a practising RFU Level 3 coach and coach educator. He coaches with the Bristol Bears DPP programme, is head coach of Bristol Schools U18s and the Rugby Performance coach for Bristol Grammar School.

He was head coach of Swansea Schools U15, Young Ospreys Academy, assistant coach with the Wales Women's Team for the 2010 World Cup, director of rugby for Cranleigh School, Surrey. He played for Bath, Bristol, Esher and Clifton, South West division, Gloucestershire and Surrey.

Editor's Picks

Wicked warm-ups

Being authentic, player relationships and 'why?'

Challenging players of differing abilities

Behind the scenes with: England U18s

Saracens Academy: Behind the scenes with the Wolfpack

Practice Plans

Go forward from the lineout

The session looks at running and support lines from the back of the lineout. There is a run up of around 10-15m for the ball carrier before ...

Long pass plays

Develop long passing for specific plays. This session works on running lines and timing as well as improving accuracy of passing in match-...

Four-man contact pods

This session works on players taking the ball into contact in groups of four. This is most likely in a game when you know the opposition is ...

Increase your options for 10

The fly half (10) has a controlling position to launch his team away from the opposition and into open spaces. He needs to be comfortable ...

Newsletter Sign Up

Join over 75k coaches that are saving time searching for fresh coaching ideas with our free email newsletter: ✔ New drills ✔ New games ✔ New warm-ups. Delivered direct to your email inbox

Power pass

Work on passing out of the contact. The variability of how the attacker is held back increases the learning outcomes, as players face new ...

Contact session expert

Editor Dan Cottrell adds further context to two sessions.

Ground bounce

Teach players to bounce themselves, and therefore the ball, off the ground and back into the game. They will embrace the ground as part of ...

Isolate and split

Create, then take advantage of, 3v2s, by isolating and splitting the two defenders. Chaotic starts mean more decisions for all the players.

Coaches Testimonials

Gerald Kearney, Downtown Las Vegas Soccer Club

"I have been coaching competitive soccer for over 20 years in Las Vegas. I feel like you are my personal club director. My players and myself have learned a lot from your sessions. The exercises from Soccer Coach Weekly are easy to understand and implement. I never run out of ideas and there is always an exercise for whatever problem we need to fix. Thank you!"

Paul Butler, Florida, USA

"First and foremost, Soccer Coach Weekly is truly unique and exceptional for its clarity and for explaining the "why?", in addition to the "how?". Soccer Coach Weekly is also professionally managed - any issues, which are infrequent, are resolved in an expedient and courteous manner. I place Soccer Coach Weekly at the top of my recommendation list for any new or seasoned coach of the beautiful game."

Rick Shields, Springboro, USA

"I coach both young club players as well as players at the High School level and both genders. The talent range is wide at times, however with the use of Soccer Coach Weekly I am able to apply the information to all talent levels and player ages and make the session fun and challenging for all players. It has helped spark me at times when I am at a loss for what to do at the next training session or offers a different approach to a current problem."

Tony Green, Pierrefonds Titans, Quebec, Canada

"My team and myself are truly enjoying the Soccer Coach Weekly downloads. Pierrefonds Titans are a great group of U16 Females who compete in the Lac St-Louis Association of Montreal, Quebec, Canada."

Be a more effective, more successful rugby coach

In a recent survey 89% of subscribers said Rugby Coach Weekly makes them more confident, 91% said Rugby Coach Weekly makes them a more effective coach and 93% said Rugby Coach Weekly makes them more inspired.

SUBSCRIBE

Get Weekly Inspiration

All the latest techniques and approaches

Rugby Coach Weekly offers proven and easy to use rugby drills, coaching sessions, practice plans, small-sided games, warm-ups, training tips and advice.

We've been at the cutting edge of rugby coaching since we launched in 2005, creating resources for the grassroots youth coach, following best practice from around the world and insights from the professional game.