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Small-Sided Games

We love games!

 

There’s plenty to choose from here. We have: Adaptive games, game scenarios, touch rugby games, mini games, small-sided games, warm up games.

 

From tackling to handling, all require decision-making under pressure.

 

So look out for handling games, tackling games, rucking games, kicking games and even fitness games.

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Slice and block

Slice and block

Break down an organised defence by focusing on space outside their 10. These two plays require a good level of skill to run the right lin...
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Zombie Chiefs

Zombie Chiefs

A version of the classic game, where a ’zombie’ tags players to create a force of static zombies, which works on evasive development.
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Ruck: take the space

Ruck: take the space

Players arriving at the ruck are far better off going over the ball and beyond it, rather than just stopping at the ball. This works on t...
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Using games to create a positive environment

Using games to create a positive environment

NICK HILL on how a learner-centred culture translates into his training sessions.
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Angle busters

Angle busters

If a player can attack at an angle the defence is not expecting, there is a better chance of breaking the defensive line. Here’s how it w...
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Bounce attack game

Bounce attack game

This warm-up game helps attackers and defenders weigh up options quickly. It is ideal for sevens training. By JAMIE BARNWELL, Cayman Isla...
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Second touches: a key essential of support

Second touches: a key essential of support

Passers must work to keep themselves in the game, writes RICHARD WHIFFIN.
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Playing faster rugby

Playing faster rugby

Based on a game by former Scotland head coach Frank Hadden, here is an activity to encourage players to play quickly, with support, and s...
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Discover the simple way to become a more effective, more successful rugby coach
Rugby Coach Weekly Issue 187

Latest Issue

Rugby Coach Weekly Issue 187
Issue 187 out now
  • Winning wet lineouts
  • Exploiting space
  • Scanning and attacking
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    Go round in circles to create width in attack

    Go round in circles to create width in attack

    This unusual pitch set-up will pose problems for your players to solve. They will need to use good handling and support to get wide.
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    Tunnel ball: the wide-pass decoy runner

    Tunnel ball: the wide-pass decoy runner

    Here’s how to practise a commonly used play to break outside the defence and thread the ball between them. By Wales Under-20s coach RI...
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    Find the bib – playing in four dimensions

    Find the bib – playing in four dimensions

    Adapted from a game called ’drop-off touch’, this challenges players to look for and create mismatches. By Loughborough U...
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    Emergency sessions

    Emergency sessions

    OLLIE TODD, head of rugby at Box Hill School, outlines three games you can set up if you suddenly find yourself having to run or modify one ...
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    “Onsides!”

    “Onsides!”

    Encourage players to work as a team in defence. Get them used to realigning quickly so they can be ready to challenge the next attack.
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    Improve your rondos

    Improve your rondos

    Small-sided games with lots of repetitions can energise a group. But consider when, where and how to use them, says coach developer GRANT HA...
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    Scan when you can

    Scan when you can

    Here’s how to use games to improve your players’ awareness of the opposition and their team-mates, otherwise known as scanning.
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    The buzzword buster

    The buzzword buster

    Understand creativity, decision-making and off-the-ball.
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    How to coach 2v1s using only games

    How to coach 2v1s using only games

    Five ways to get young players used to creating overlaps. By DAN COTTRELL.
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    NFL-style game for speed of support

    NFL-style game for speed of support

    Using an offside player to receive a forward pass, who can’t score, requires that players support ball and space. By JACK PATTINSON, S...
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    VIDEO: Super-charged bulldogs

    VIDEO: Super-charged bulldogs

    In this new take on the traditional game of bulldogs, the defenders stay the same for each round. If a runner is caught, they continue to ...
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    VIDEO: Beep ball continuous 4 v 1

    VIDEO: Beep ball continuous 4 v 1

    In this 30-second game, four players aim to score as many tries as they can against one defender.
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    Rainbow defence

    Rainbow defence

    This small game enables players to work on defensive organisation. Teams also get a chance to work on identifying space and attacking ...
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    Rapid fire touch

    Rapid fire touch

    This quick paced game challenges teams to work on their transition from defence to attack. Players can develop their evasive skills and ...
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    Protect and steal

    Protect and steal

    This two-part activity contains a large game and a breakout area with a skill focus. Both elements enable players to focus on their ruck ...
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    3 ways to use dice

    3 ways to use dice

    Using large foam dice can be a great way to bring in some random elements to training. Not everything is predictable in a game, so try ...

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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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