close
LOGINAttack space & edges
This activity can encourage your ball carriers to run at pace, looking to avoid contact by anticipating where the spaces are.
WHY USE IT
This is a scanning exercise for just the ball carrier. They will make mistakes, but should start to become attuned to looking for gaps.
set up
Coloured cones, three or more balls, four ruck pads and a 45m long, 20m wide box, split into three.
HOW TO PLAY
ACTIVITY: Start with three ball carriers, who have to go around their allotted coloured cones in the first and last section, before passing the ball to the next runner, returning back. The middle section contains two ruck pad-holders in pairs. They must stay loosely bound to each other, with their inside arm around the other’s shoulder. They may move anywhere in the middle section only. The ball carriers must avoid each other and the ruck pads. If they can’t avoid the pads, they should hit and spin or drive through the gap in between.
DEVELOPMENTS: More cones can be introduced of the same three starting colours; A new set of runners with different coloured cones; Make the area smaller; Introduce some single ruck pads in the centre zone.
COACHING POINTS
- Ball in two hands.
- Running on the balls of the feet.
- Small steps in contact areas.
- Head scanning in front and ahead.
- The ball carrier should lean forward, using short steps close to contact
- Ideally, players carry the ball in two hands to keep better balanced and scan what is in front of them
Related Files
- Each column of players has coloured cones to dodge through
- The ruck pad-holders are loosely bound together and can only move side-to-side
- Once the player is through to the other side, they pass the ball to a team-mate who repeats
- The ruck-pad holders turn around once the players are through
Mark Calverley
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.
