Pick and go options

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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.

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