Real rugby speed

LOGIN

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

Develop players who are used to running on to - and delivering - passes at pace. This will leave defenders behind and allow you to make the best use of your line breaks.

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

What to think about

It is bad rugby when a player takes the ball at half speed or even worse, standing still. It is also one of the most difficult aspects for inexperienced players to grasp because it relies on timing. In a dynamic game where the ball carrier is changing his pace according to the defence, it adds to the problems. This session works on players gaining more experience of when to run. I would suggest you do not make a big thing of handling errors if players are, initially at least, speeding onto the pass.

set-up

Ball carrier: Run straight and hard; pass at chest height in front of supporting player.
Support player: Make sure you can see the number on the back of the ball carrier before you start running. The key is pace on to the ball.

What you get your players to do

Put a ball carrier and support player about 5m apart, 5m away from the edge of a 10m square. Put a defender at the side of the box, up to 5m away (see picture 1). Get the ball carrier to run at full pace into the box, passing the ball when he is inside the pass zone (a 5m x 2m box). The support player takes the pass and aims to run over the try line at the end of the box. In the meantime, when the first ball carrier reaches the pass zone, the defender sets off. He aims to touch the second ball carrier before he reaches the try line. Adjust the start distances for all players to suit.

Development

Start the attackers as before but the ball carrier can pass at any time. The defender now starts at the far corner of the box, only coming forward once the ball carrier comes into the box (see picture 2). Use touch tackling and the ball carrier can choose to dummy if he wants. Alternatively, the defender starts when the ball carrier starts and the ball carrier can only pass once he is inside the box.

Game situation

Put three attackers at one end of a 20m x 7m box with a defender 5m to the side of them, a defender in the middle and a defender near the far end (see picture 3, fig 1). When the attackers move forward, the defender to the side runs around and into the box to chase, the defender in the middle comes forward and the far defender runs back to the end and then forward (see picture 3, fig 2). Using touch tackling, the defenders aim to catch the ball carrier in possession before he reaches the far end. The idea is to challenge the attackers to beat each defender at pace before they are caught from behind.

What to call out

“Run with two hands on the ball” “Though you are running straight and hard, look where you are passing” “Support player: Sprint and keep telling the ball carrier where you are”

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

Ready, steady, attack

The aim is to get your players in place quickly to attack at pace from the next ruck, in this simple to execute realignment activity.

Drop, gather, attack

Dropped balls or loose kicks mean the ball needs recovering. This session works on the skills and decision-making needed for this situation.

Pods attack

Create attacking shape, where forwards understand where to run to support the next phase. The groups of forwards are called pods and need ...

Second touch support

The passer is often the closest support player and they can become an extra receiver by changing their running angle. This session helps ...

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.