close
LOGINContact conditioning
You can use rucking, mauling and tackling to improve your team’s fitness. By concentrating on different techniques in game situations, the players will work harder than in drills.
Contact exercises for fitness can be effective in the long-term development of good technique under fatigue conditions. Turn it into a game, and the players will want to be more involved.
In these exercises, the primary aim should be technique. Fitness is secondary. The duration of these exercises needs to be monitored so there is little drop-off in the primary aim.
CONTACT FITNESS PRACTICE
This practice looks at many skills, but the reduced area makes contact likely and the exercise more game-related.
The game uses tackling, mauling and rucking in appropriate situations. It should build on the techniques you have introduced in previous training.
- Mark out a 20m wide, 30m long box, with cones around the edge designated to each player.
- Split into two teams, with the attacking team having two to three more players, perhaps also with a 9 and 10 to direct the attack.
- The defence hold pads.
- If you don’t have enough pads, the defenders should be passive initially. Play starts with the attacking team setting up a maul in a narrow channel. The attacking team cannot start to advance until the maul is tight and formed.
Related Files
- Once the maul has advanced 5m and stayed tight, you shout “BREAK” and all players run to their own designated perimeter cone.
- The defenders drop the pads outside of the area.
- Roll the ball in to any attacker and play begins.
- Players have to get onside from offside positions.
- Don’t be worried if there is little shape in the game. Instead, look more carefully for good technique.
- The attackers should support the ball carrier. Each attack has 3 to 5 chances before the teams swap.
- If a try is scored, a mistake made, or play goes over a stipulated time, stop the game. Have a rest period where technical and tactical points can be discussed before the practice resumes.
DEVELOPMENTS
- Change the shape of the area to pose extra space-related problems or opportunities.
- Reduce the number of attackers.
- Increase the attacks or time allocated to continuous attacking.
Dan Cottrell
Latest Issue
Subscribe Today
Subscribe Today
Newsletter Sign Up
Coaches Testimonials
Gerald Kearney, Downtown Las Vegas Soccer Club
Paul Butler, Florida, USA
Rick Shields, Springboro, USA
Tony Green, Pierrefonds Titans, Quebec, Canada
Subscribe Today
Latest Issue
Be a more effective, more successful rugby coach
In a recent survey 89% of subscribers said Rugby Coach Weekly makes them more confident, 91% said Rugby Coach Weekly makes them a more effective coach and 93% said Rugby Coach Weekly makes them more inspired.
Get Weekly Inspiration
All the latest techniques and approaches
Rugby Coach Weekly offers proven and easy to use rugby drills, coaching sessions, practice plans, small-sided games, warm-ups, training tips and advice.
We've been at the cutting edge of rugby coaching since we launched in 2005, creating resources for the grassroots youth coach, following best practice from around the world and insights from the professional game.
