Rugby coaching tips to encourage passing

There are two ways to encourage passing. First, train as you play and have lots of passing in training games. Second, make the players better passers so it comes more naturally to them. This means players need to know the three BIG factors for passing.

The lateral pass is a fundamental skill. It needs the catcher and the passer to work together.

Players at all levels need to remember the "big" factors when passing and receiving the ball:

• "Big hands" up ready to receive, creating a big target.
• "Big eyes" to see that target and from the receiver to watch the ball.
• A "big mouth" to tell the passer when and where to pass the ball.

The pass itself must be at the right height and in front of the receiver. Too hard and it is difficult to catch. Too slow and the defence can drift on to the catcher.

A lateral pass should be just pushed, not spun, and be made to where the receiver will catch it, not necessarily to where the receiver is standing when the pass is made.

This article is from the www.greenstarmedia.net/&sKey=">Rugby Coach Weekly.