Pick and go options

LOGIN

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

Don’t let your team waste quick ball at rucks because they have taken the wrong decision. Forwards have to decide whether to “keep on going”, that is pick up the ball and drive on, or leave it for the scrum half. This session focuses on players having to make their decisions as they approach the breakdown.

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

What to think about

Why do some players always make the wrong decision?Players who constantly make poor decisions are not always looking at the defenders as they approach the ball. You can stand behind the defenders in the session and watch where the attackers are looking. Encourage them to get their heads up and scan.
The players are too high going into contact and are not presenting the ball cleanly.In the initial session, hold a pole at chest height in front of the ruck pad. Players have to duck under the pole before hitting the pad. This forces them to get in a good low body position.

set-up

Arrive at the breakdown with heads up scanning the defence.
Make informed decisions based on the position of the defenders.

What you get your players to do

Spread out two players with pads. Player one hits the first pad and goes to ground presenting the ball. Player two gets in a low position to pick up the ball and drives into the next pad close to the breakdown. In the next drill, position the second pad holder wider and add a third attacking player. Player two picks up the ball takes a step and passes to a runner who hits the pad wider out.

Player two picks up the ball and drives round the side of the breakdown.

Development

Vary the position of the pad so player two has to make a decision whether to go himself or pick and pass. Give player two options both sides of the breakdown. He then has to make a decision about which is the best option.

Related Files

Core-71-pick-and-go-options.pdfPDF, 419 KB

Player two has options both sides of the breakdown, so has to make a decision.

Game situation

Set up two teams of six to play contact rugby. The attacking team can only pick and go or pick and pass to a runner. The defenders can’t compete for the ball at the breakdown but must realign at the back foot ready to defend the next attack. Then let the defenders compete for the ball. Attackers will now have to ensure they don’t get isolated.

The acting scrum half can either pick and go or pick and pass to a runner.

What to call out

“Head up as you approach the breakdown”
“Get low to pick up the ball”
“Drive low and hard round the side”
“Listen to your support”

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

Disrupt opponents with an 'attack dog'

Sevens defenders must judge when to cut off the attack’s options and ’go get’ the space. JAMIE BARNWELL, of MLR team FreeJacks, puts this ...

Attacking framework - part 3: scrum

RICHARD WHIFFIN on establishing a sound structure to utilise at the set piece.

Intense defence

As a defence tires, the attack should become more successful. But if a defence starts well, it can find sources of energy to make sure they ...

3 ways to feed the wingers

Sometimes, your wide players want the ball but it seems to get trapped with the centres. RCW editor Dan Cottrell explains three of the ...

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.