The natural reaction of a good player must be that once he passes the ball, he follows the ball. If he can then get outside the player who he passed to, he creates an extra man in attack. Otherwise he is in a good position to support if the receiver goes into contact. This session looks at using the loop to create this extra support player.
The natural reaction of a good player must be that once he passes the ball, he follows the ball. If he can then get outside the player who he passed to, he creates an extra man in attack. Otherwise he is in a good position to support if the receiver goes into contact. This session looks at using the loop to create this extra support player.
Warm up time: 7-10
Session time: 10-15
Development time: 10-15
Game time: 10-15
Warm down time: 7-10
What to think about
Are the players running at an angle across the pitch once they receive the loop pass?
At times, especially if trying to get outside a defender, running this line can be good. However if continuing the passing movement out, the looping player needs to straighten up after receiving the pass to preserve the space on their outside.
Why do loop passes go to ground more than normal passes?
Because the receiver is looping round, he is unseen by the passer until late on. Good communication by the receiver is crucial as he can help by calling for the ball and asking for a short, long or deep pass.
set-up
Move the ball to the outside player as quickly as possible while moving forwards
at pace.
After passing, loop behind the other players and take a pass on the outside.
Communicate to the passer when you want the pass and what type of pass.
Pass in front of the player you want to loop.
What you get your players to do
Split your squad into three groups of four to six players. Two groups start at one corner of a box with another diagonally opposite. One of the two groups moves forwards and passes the ball to the end player.
After each player passes they loop behind the group, joining the end to receive another pass. Once they have crossed the area and reached the opposite group, the ball is passed over to the second group to repeat the exercise in the opposite direction.
Players pass and then loop around, ready to take a later pass.
Development
Miss and loop:Use a miss pass for the first pass, with the second player looping round and taking a pass between the third and fourth player. The fourth player runs wide to create space before coming in to take pass to straighten up.
Creating an extra player:Add an equal number of defenders and ask the players to solve the problem of creating an extra player.
Related Files
Core-78-following-the-pass.pdfPDF, 547 KB
One pass misses a player out. The missed player loops to take a pass from the next receiver.
Game situation
Split your team into even groups of no more than five players. Two teams start in the box playing touch rugby.
If a try is scored then the scoring team stay on, and another side take the place of the losers. The main condition is that a player must follow his pass. If he doesn’t, then his team are substituted.
How two versus two can become a three versus two using a loop.
What to call out
“Go forward then pass”
“Pass in front of the receiver so he has to move onto the ball”
“When looping, run in an arc to keep your speed”
“Straighten up when you get the ball to create space outside”
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.
Register now to get a free ebook worth £10
Get this brilliant ebook worth £10 for FREE when you register now
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
"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."
Subscribe Today
Since 2006, we’ve helped tens of thousands of coaches just like you build strong teams and deliver effective and inspiring training sessions, week-in, week-out.
Discover the simple way to become a more effective, more successful soccer coach. ALL the support you need to become a great Youth Soccer coach: ✓ Proven, practical coaching advice
✓ Hundreds of ready-to-use drills and full-session practice plans
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.
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.