Freestyle rugby training to build creative players

The advantages of basketball are that anyone can score, and all players attack and defend. In rugby, though there are some exceptions, most tries are scored by a small number of players.

Scoring points is very uplifting for players, however, and "Freestyle" is a great game to reward all the participants.

The Objective

The Freestyle training game is easy to set up and contains no more laws than the normal game of rugby. Two sides try to score tries as normal.

The key to Freestyle is in the point scoring. Not only are points scored for tries, but also for demonstrating various core skills or pre-determined moves. For example, the coach can award extra points for miss moves, dummies, or blindside moves.

The objective of Freestyle is for the players to use core skills or moves to score. The more skilful or inventive they are, the more points they score. So, award only 1 point for scoring, and 1, 2 or 3 points for displays of skill.

Setting up Freestyle

Set up the practice in one half or a third of a pitch. Place two large tackle bags on the pitch, one to represent a lineout and one to represent a scrum or breakdown. Move these around to simulate game situations.

Divide your squad into groups of 4 or 5 players. Give each team a name. Trust the groups to keep their own scores.

Playing Freestyle

The game is quick. Each team attacks and defends as called by the coach. For instance, "Team A: attack at the lineout. Team B: defend." The players then line up on the tackle bag used to denote the lineout. Once Team A has attacked, call a new combination. For example, "Team C: attack at a scrummage. Team A defend".

Give the attacking team time to set up and maybe call a move. Don't worry about the defending team, however. Leave it up to them to get into position as quickly as possible. Once the attacking team is set, or you think they've had enough time, blow the whistle to start the play.

Scoring

The attacking team has two attempts to score a try. First, following the initial set up. Then, if a tackle is made and the ball is quickly recycled, they can make a second attempt. If the attacking team is held up or fails to score after the second attempt, or if the defending team steals the ball, the defending team gets one point.

The following are possible templates for points scoring according to core skills. Change them to suit your team and your players' ability.

Template for "handling" Freestyle

1 point: A normal pass. A clean catch.

2 points: Player running on to a pass. Passer following their pass.

3 points: Passing out of a tackle. Making a switch pass.

Template for "contact" Freestyle

1 point: Keeping the ball away from the contact point when taking contact. Support players arriving to form a strong stable position.

2 points: Good presentation of the ball at the contact. Support players to the ruck within 3 seconds.

3 points: Defence winning turnover ball. Support players recyclying the ball within 3 seconds.

Template for "footwork" Freestyle

1 point: Running at pace on to a pass. Being balanced in contact.

2 points: Changing the angle of the run to create a passing opportunity. Arriving on to a pass from deep.

3 points: Making a successful sidestep to avoid contact. Successfully spinning out of contact.

"Freestyle Moves"

If you have enough players to have bigger squads on the pitch, then you can develop the Freestyle game. The objectives are to encourage the backs to experiment with different moves, and to practise different angles of running and attacking. While the backs wait for their next chance to attack, you could have them preparing or working on a move.