Rugby coaching quick warm-up games

Corner ball

"A real brain teaser"

In a coned area, no bigger than a normal classroom, nominate two players as the attack team, the rest as runners.

The attack team has a ball. Its objective is to touch one of the runners while holding the ball but attackers are only allowed to pass the ball, not run with it.

When touched, a runner joins the attack team. The game continues until all the runners are captured.

Play the game without giving any advice at all. Then review the possible tactics of the attack team (you might have to do this if there is not much success early on).

Development

• If the ball is dropped, all the attackers have to run to the side of the box before starting again.
• Use only two-handed passes or ban spin passes.

What to say

• "Force the runners in to the corners"
• "Move the ball quickly"
• "Attackers anticipate the space and run into it"

Tigger tagger

"Tiring but great for improving plyometric ability"

In a coned area, no bigger than a normal classroom, split into two equal teams: Attackers and defenders.

The attack team has a ball. It is only allowed to pass the ball, not run with it. Attackers are allowed to move around in the space but must jump with both feet together.

Their objective is to touch a defender with the ball while holding it – the defender then leaves the area. The game continues until all the defenders are tagged by the ball.

Development

• If the ball is dropped, a defender is allowed back into the game.
• Use only two-handed passes or ban spin passes.
• Change jumping to hopping.

What to say

• "Lots of little jumps are better than a few big jumps"
• "Move the ball quickly"

Chain circle

"Brilliant for improving co-ordination and communication"

Get the players to form a circle around you. Each player grabs the right wrist of the player next to them with his left hand.

Your aim is to break the circle by feints and quick steps without touching a player, while the circle has to move away from you to avoid being touched.

If you move towards one part of the circle, that part will need to move backwards, while the other parts of the circle move towards you to compensate. (Ideally, you do not have to touch the circle for it to break).

With a very large circle, use two players in the middle. Their aim is to break the circle, however they themselves do not touch the circle.

Circle within a circle

With a larger number of players, have a circle of five players linked together inside a larger circle.

The task of the inner circle is to touch the edge of the outer circle or force a break in it, without breaking their own links.

If required, limit the size of the pitch. If the circle reaches the side of the pitch, then it cannot go back any farther, or be touched. This means the smaller circle of players will need to go elsewhere to touch or break the chain.

Development

As a warm-up, start by having the circle go over an obstacle course, e.g. over some bags, cones and then in and out of the rugby posts.

This article originally appeared in Rugby Coach Weekly.