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Footwork & Evasion

In rugby, footwork and evasion skills are the “fine arts” – ways to run with the ball and beat players with skill, pace and panache. These articles include ways to coach players to have “rugby speed” not just pace, and evade contact with nifty “rugby footwork”. Try one of the footwork and evasion drills below at your next session and see how you get on.

Age Groups
U5
U6
U7
U8
U9
U10
U11
U12
U13
U14
U15
U16
U17+
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Wicked warm-ups

Wicked warm-ups

Get your session buzzing with these warm-up activities. By using games, chaos and movement, players use the key physical literacy skills ...
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Ball control out of contact

Ball control out of contact

This practice develops players’ handling skills by forcing them to manipulate the ball with one hand in and around the contact area.
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Spin out of contact

Spin out of contact

Encourage the ball carrier to spin just before the tackle – the footwork needs experimenting with because it can unbalance players.
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Backs blast

Backs blast

Improve backs’ fitness while working on their running lines and drift defence. They will make every effort to break the line each time.
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Curves and jumps

Curves and jumps

Use this activity to improve players’ footwork as they run forward, so they beat opposition players, or at least create a chance for a go...
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Chase, catch and turn

Chase, catch and turn

This conditioning game helps players develop better foot speed, evasive skills and stop/start skills. Inspired by basketball, it is easy ...
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S lines for 2 v 1s

S lines for 2 v 1s

Develops the idea that, if the ball carrier runs an ‘S’ line, they can draw in defenders and release support players to attack a flat, or...
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Pass, run or ruck

Pass, run or ruck

Help players make good decisions at the breakdown over whether to pass, run or ruck, depending on how many defenders are threatening the ...
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Discover the simple way to become a more effective, more successful rugby coach
Rugby Coach Weekly Issue 192

Latest Issue

Rugby Coach Weekly Issue 192
Issue 192 out now, featuring the best of 2024, including:
  • Attacking framework
  • Emergency sessions
  • Building player confidence
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    Skill MOTs: enhancing attacks via 'ABC' skills

    Skill MOTs: enhancing attacks via 'ABC' skills

    Create good habits with a focused programme which reinforces the core skills. By KRIS STAFFORD, rugby development officer at Leeds Beckett U...
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    Attacking footwork

    Attacking footwork

    Create better ‘go-forward’ for players taking the ball close to the ruck and the tackle line. This also works on improved ball placement ...
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    Creative 3v2s

    Creative 3v2s

    This easily set-up game creates enough chaos to make players think about their catch-and-pass skills under the sort of pressure they might ...
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    Be strong in the tackle

    Be strong in the tackle

    Use this session to build players’ understanding of how to keep going forward in the tackle and make life much harder for the defence.
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    Mauling corners

    Mauling corners

    This drill will improve the players’ mauling skills so that they can keep going forward in contact and still retain the ball if they are ...
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    Be a line break guru

    Be a line break guru

    Know the detail behind breaking the tackle line so you can master it. Australia A coach JASON GILMORE offers his analysis of how it happens ...
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    Test players’ testing for better outcomes

    Test players’ testing for better outcomes

    Studying strengths and weaknesses can help players outwit their opponents. DAN COTTRELL talks to AMY PRICE about incorporating this into ...
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    Break down the door

    Break down the door

    Attacking the space between two defenders in close proximity means a good chance of a double tackle. Instead, attack one defender and beat ...
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    Banish the drift attack

    Banish the drift attack

    Why do players drift out in attack and play into the hands of the drift defence? Here, Leicester Tigers’ academy coach TOSH ASKEW offers ...
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    Dominant ball carry

    Dominant ball carry

    Ensure players use correct footwork to power through the contact area and then manipulate the ball so they can offload or present it ...
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    Scoring corners

    Scoring corners

    Use this activity to improve players’ ability to scan what’s in front of them. It will allow the players to develop their footwork options ...
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    Block pass run

    Block pass run

    Work on options to attack the line flat or pull the pass back to a player running wider into space. A block pass is a pass behind an ...
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    Hard lines in attack

    Hard lines in attack

    Against a defensive line, an attacker’s change of angle can create space. Help players understand how and when to run these angles.
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    'Sit down' a defender

    'Sit down' a defender

    Put an opponent in a weak tackling position in order to win the contact situation or fix them to pass onto a player in a better position.
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    Attack space & edges

    Attack space & edges

    This activity can encourage your ball carriers to run at pace, looking to avoid contact by anticipating where the spaces are.
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    Into the step zone

    Into the step zone

    An activity designed to develop players’ ability to make extra yards by moving to the side of their opponent while still moving forward.

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    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.

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