Two passing and handling rugby warm up drills

Distance passing drill

Two players with one ball stand two paces apart, facing each other. The first remains in the same place throughout and passes the ball to the second.

After each pass, the second player moves two steps backwards, away from the first. Each pass must go into a target area between the shoulder and hip.

Every time a pass fails to reach the target area (or is dropped), the second player moves two paces forward towards the first.

What to say:

• "Accuracy before speed."

• "Vary the passes between normal and spin."

• "Keep on your toes when passing."

Scrum half passing drill

In a 10-metre square, marked out with cones, place two balls, one in each corner of one side.

One player (the passer) stands over one ball and a second player (the receiver) stands at the opposite corner on the diagonal.

The passer throws to the receiver from the ground, scrum-half style. The receiver puts the ball on the corner he is standing on.

The passer then moves to next ball and the receiver moves clockwise to the next corner. This is repeated, with the players working their way around the square.

For variation, the passing player can use dive passes or spin passes and should change direction after one circuit.

To develop the rugby drill, you can use four players with one on each corner, two passers and two receivers.

What to say:

• "Make sure the ball is centrally between your feet before passing."

• "Point foot towards receiver when passing."

• "Keep everything low in passing action."

Get more inspiration for your rugby warm-up drill sessions by ordering a copy of The Ultimate Rugby Warm-Ups Manual.

Click the link for another rugby warm-up drill to boost handling skills.