Realistic turnovers and feeding the wingers

Realistic turnover training

We know we should try to replicate game-like scenarios in training. Some are easier than others.

One I always find challenging is creating the right sort of reactions to turnover ball.

Turnover ball happens in open play, perhaps from a dropped pass or a steal in the tackle. The defence is now the attack and has to change its mindset. 

How can we translate this into a training scenario? 

From a skills point of view, that’s relatively straightforward. The players need to realign from defensive positions. 

We can mix up the starting points for the players, as well as who might be first receiver and where the defence is coming from.

This session works well from this point of view. I’ve also put it into a game situation, where there’s likely to be a turnover. 

Changing the on-the-spot mindset is more difficult. It’s the unexpected nature of the turnover that’s hard to copy. Here are some solutions:

Not two-ball rugby

Play a normal game, either touch rugby or contact. Carry a second ball. 

At any point during the game, pass the ball to the current ball carrier, if they are in the open. 

They have to bounce the incoming ball forward with the ball they are carrying, or, if that is not possible, they have to throw the ball they are carrying forward. 

Both teams then need to react to the new ball, if bounced, or the dropped ball.

Rather than the new ball appearing in a surprising place, the source will be the ball carrier. That is more game-like (though, admittedly, a bit false).

When I’ve run this, it takes a bit of time to get used to the change, but teams then react more comfortably.

Run it randomly during the season, so it isn’t necessarily expected.

Double cross

Before a training game, nominate a double-crossing player. That player can, at any stage in the game, claim possession for the other team. They have to be in possession of the ball.

Once they claim it, they fall on the ground and the next nearest player on their new team plays the ball.

The biggest challenge I find is nominating the player. One way is to do it before training starts. 

Just go up to a player and say that. when you say "double cross", they have to listen most carefully because it will be them. But they are not allowed to tell anyone. For more than one players, give them a number.

No doubt you will come up some good ways to do this too.