Recover the ball rugby drill

What is a poor pass?

A poor pass is one that makes the receiver stop or slow down, reach up or down, or have to stretch too far in front. Receiving a poor pass does not mean that the receiver cannot make amends, but to recover takes skill.

Key rugby coaching tips for good passes

• The target for the pass is in front of the player’s torso.
  
  
• The passer must follow through to the target with their hands.
  
  
• The receiver must keep their eyes on the ball at all times.
  
  
• The receiver’s hands have to go to the ball.
  
  
• The ball has to be caught in the hands.
  
  
• The receiver has to regain their balance before giving the next pass.
  
  
• The players must not force the pass – if it is not on, hold on.

Use this rugby drill to help your players learn the skills to recover a bad pass. Practising this way will develop their ability to cope with different types of delivery in a game.

Recovery rugby drill

Players work in groups of five, in a 5-metre square box in this rugby drill. Three players run across the box. As they do so they receive and give a pass to two feeders, one at each side.



How to run the rugby drill

Start with the feeders making good passes. Then have them passing the ball too high or low, too soft or hard, or slightly behind or just too far in front of the receiver. Encourage the receiver to turn each poor pass into a good pass by adjusting their stance and how they’re holding the ball, before making the pass to the second feeder.

Click here for rugby drill tips on catching passes.

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