Gaining those last yards

Set-up

A ball per group of four. An area by a touchline (about 5m wide for each group).

What you get your players to do

On the touchline, put two players on their fronts side by side facing a player (with a ball) on his front with another player directly behind him (see picture1). When you shout “GO”, the player with the ball rises to his feet aiming to get to the 5m line, with the player behind him in support. The other two players are defenders (see pictures 2 and 3).

Look for

The ball carrier keeping his hips square in the contact area so he is always driving forward. The ball carrier fighting to stay on his feet and keeping the ball available when he goes to ground. Both sides keeping to the laws of the tackle.

Development

Add another defender if the ball carrier is too successful. Increase the starting distances. Play a full-on 2 v 2 game in a 10m x 5m channel.

Notes

You can run lots of groups along the touchline. You can have groups of five, where one player acts as the referee. He can also check that the ball carrier is keeping his hips square and driving through the contact area.