Trigger rugby drill to coach players when to run

Your back line needs to develop an understanding of when to set off. They need to learn, then use the right "triggers" or cues to start their runs.

Developing understanding

Set up a back line and have the players run from a scrum half pass as if they were attacking from a scrum. Use cones as markers where each player starts and to mark out a line level with the scrum half.

Repeat the rugby drill several times and check where the players are catching the ball. The chances are they are catching it around the front line of cones.

This is fine if you just want one pass to a runner to set a midfield target. However if you want to move the ball wider, there will not be enough space. By the time the ball gets to the third player the defence will be on him.

Now lay down a second line of cones where you want the players to receive the ball. This should be a maximum of two metres from the first receiver's starting point.

This time the players have to catch the ball before they get to the front line of cones. The result is that the ball can be moved
wider more quickly and players can run on to the ball at pace.

In front of a defence

Now you need to put the back line under pressure with a 4 v 3 rugby drill. However, make sure the three defenders stay in their channels so the fourth attacker is always in space. This way the attacking team simply have to get the ball to the last player to score.

Players will find it almost impossible to get the ball to the last man until they appreciate that by holding their runs they can come onto the ball from deep and at pace, and so pass without pressure.

The first and second receivers must hold their runs until the scrum half has his hands on the ball. Players outside the second receiver should not start moving until the first receiver has the ball in his hands.

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