When you don't need defenders for passing improvements

In Hard and Fast with the Miss Pass, we set up a “miss pass” training session. The miss pass is a long pass which skips one player, with the missed player drawing a defender in the process.

Like all passing plays, it’s only relevant when they are defenders in front of the passers. Otherwise, what are the triggers for the pass? And why use a miss pass when you could use two short passes?

There are two possible reasons for practising initially without defenders:

1. New techniques

Players can be introduced to a fresh technique. Here, the techniques are long passes to moving targets and running lines to draw defenders. 

2. Confidence

Build some confidence in the technique. Like jumping into the sea on a summer holiday, the second time you do it, you will know it will be a little bit of a shock to start with, but lovely afterwards. Some repetitions without pressure can give a player a feel for what’s needed.

Many coaches don’t move on from this. Again, this is for two reasons. First, with defenders in the way, there will be mistakes. That will make training look messy. Messy training isn’t regarded as a sign of progress. The second reason has some merit though. With defenders in the way and mistakes made, the players will become disheartened. Demotivated players will then make more mistakes and the technique won’t be honed into a skill.

Yoko Ono, who knows diddly squat about rugby and, according to many, even less about life, once said: “Stop waiting”. She’s right about that. We can’t wait until the game to put pressure on the players. They must be prepared to make mistakes in training and so push the technique so it can turn into a repeatable skill. Our role is to create an environment where players accept that.

This session moves us along the path. It has “defenders” in one sense. He uses pads and tubes as static defenders. The attackers now have some form of visual clue to change their angles. Of course, it’s not completely realistic. However, if you manipulate the pads, you create a realistic “tackle” line, so the players don’t overrun the passes. The tackle line represents the likely point at which each defender would reach the attack.

The session is a stepping stone but also useful if you don’t have enough players at training to act as defenders. Extend that thinking to team runs, especially on match days. When the backs and forwards split, if you are running through your plays, why not put out some cones on the ground to represent the tackle line.