Group Touch Game

Group Touch Game

Coaching tackle technique in groups

The ability to move from 1 to 1 tackling exercises into unit & group skills can be tricky. Here are some tips that you could use

Tackle Technique in groups

Give players the opportunity to practice their tackling technique. In groups of five, one player in the middle has four tackle attempts. Make sure everyone has a go and the key points are repeated.

Stretch attack from re-start

Filton College claim the re-start and move the ball wide attack the space and stretch the defence. After recycling the ball quickly, they attack wide in the other direction where a 3 v 1 has been created.

Defence - 6. Groups of Three

The defence should work and communicate in groups of three. This means the individual player and the two defenders either side

Scrum Factory - 7. Isometric Neck Stretches

It is important to note that with these exercises, the neck pushes against the arm and not the arm pushing against the neck

Mini age groups - Passing Skills

This clip provides some simple guidelines on coaching catch & pass for young players. The coach progresses to a conditioned game to help the learning process

Upper body / torso stretch

Developing good body shape is key in the warm up, especially prior to any contact or scrum work

Warm up - group jog

An active warm is a must

Breakdown Skills for Mini age groups

Introducing contact and breakdown skills to younger players can be a challenge for many coaches, in this clip the Northampton saints community coaches explain some of the technical points and use some simple practises to help them learn

Group exercise for evasion & agility

Developing core skills for evasion and agility

How Gloucester academy prepare for matches

See how the Gloucester academy manager prepares his squad prior to an academy fixture. The warm up includes lots of games, stretching and unit skills with a gradual increase in intensity

L2 - Fly Half Development

Skill Practice Description • Two channels each 15metres wide • Two attacking lines of four players; one line in each channel • Scrum Half with two balls • Three defenders lined up to defend the designated channel. • SH passes ball to 1st attacking group on the coach’s call. • D1 goes for A1, D2 for A2, D3 for A3 • Attackers to fix defenders and release overlap. • Coach shouts “Break” and the three defenders run to defend the other channel against 2nd group of attackers. • On coach’s command “Go” the 2nd ball is passed to the second line • Rotate the groups and alternate which channel has the first strike / second strike • Vary the timing of the second call which releases the ball for the 2nd strike. An early call frees up space for the fly half because the defenders will have little time to get into the second channel. A late call, allows defenders time to get across, and it means the fly half will have to prevent the drift and effectively use the overlap. • Initially the coach can control the defence telling the defenders to leave the overlap and be fixed; then allow them to drift, then allow them to try anything to stop the attack. Here is also an opportunity to coach how to defend. Key Coaching Points • Stay square - outside shoulder should be seen by scrum half • Run at defenders aiming at the inside shoulder • Move when the ball is in the scrum half’s hands or when it is in the air. Do not creep forward before then.

Quick Hands Primer

Divide the group into 4 and ask them to stand in single file behind each cone, 3 attacking groups, 1 defending group.

Kicking Session Warm up

The coach uses small sided games with progressions as part of the players warm up with a focus on the stretches that are related to kicking. Moving between the games and dynamic stretches keeps the players motivated, active and gets the blood flowing

The Lineout Game - Movement in the line out

It may be that a light, athletic group of players focus on speed over technique, but a bigger group of players may focus on technique in order to maximise height.The tempo and tactics at the lineout needs to suit the player profiles.

Warm up options

A warm up that uses some simple games as the central theme. The session planned is for kicking so the coach conditions the stretching accordingly

New Rules of Play - Under 10s - Coaching Points

This video provides some detailed coaching points that the Saracens community coaches would recommend age groups coaches focus on in their sessions

Northampton Saints - Academy Champions

Get inside the minds of the Saints Academy coaches and how they prepare and plan their rugby programme. This squad won the Premiership Academy final and you can see why with such committed and professional management team.

Warming Up

Saracens academy coaches explain why they use games for their warm ups and show some examples

Harlequins Academy - Warm-Up

The warm-up is an essential part of training and match preparation. Here's an example from Harlequins Academy on how to prepare for a handling session.

Quins- Tackling Warm Up Game

A fun game to get players ready both mentally and physically for contact and tackling. Applies to most age groups

Warm-up with Games and Handling (Rugby ready)

A rugby ready style warm up with games and handling as they focus prior to moving on to more technical skills. The game centres around the teams trying to make 10 passes

Coaching Process-Course Structure

The coaching course is designed to assist coaches to be better at coaching and does not focus on increasing rugby knowledge

There will be several opportunities to coach and receive feedback from the session review

Every review is an opportunity for the coach to learn. Even when participating as a player for someone else, the coach should be considering the process and how it affects their performance and understanding of the task

Positive and honest feedback within the coaching group is a valuable method in which to help each other become better coaches


The coaching process is based on:

Instruction and explanation

Demonstration

Observation and feedback

Listening

Summary

Warming up - Options to consider

Should coaches combine games, drills and stretching in their warm ups. The Wasps coaches combine some physical running work and games as an example

Sevens - Patterns of Play 1

A variety of passing and phases which are used to stretch the defence in order to create a whole for the attacker to exploit. Key factors : Wide spin pass - Short pop pass - Overhead pass - Lots of calling and commuication - Players retreat backwards to be in support

Lions 09 - Lineout Movement

A dynamic practise for speed and quality of lifting in lineouts. This exercise can be used for 15's and 7's and for different age groups. The coaches can vary the distance of the cones and progress to both lifters moving. Coaches can add some fun by making it a competition. Key factors : The jumper must jump - Core body strength - Keep body stiff and straight - Lifters work together - Lock out arms - Bring the jumper down safely

Warm-up Back to Back

Preparing players for contact coaches should introduce a range of fun exercises to warm up the major muscle groups. These can be competitive or based upon teamwork

Ruck Touch Rugby

Coaches can use games to introduce all skills for your age group. If you are very specific about the conditions you apply then players will learn these skills in a fun and enjoyable game

Breakdown Fundamental - Rollovers

This exercise combines a number of movement skills to improve players ability around the breakdown and ball presentation. The drill uses three players at a time so the players need coordination skills and it is great fun. Use this for stretching, motivation and conditioining

L2 - Identifying Space to Attack

Skill Practice Description • Attacking team face away from defenders before play commences. • Attackers spread or grouped in any formation. • Defenders split (unseen by attack) between pitch A & B. • Coach calls “turn” and introduces the ball to the attack who turn to scan the distribution of the defence and attack whichever pitch they choose. • Defenders on the pitch not being attacked cannot cross over to help defend. • If the attack breaks down, the defence gain bonus point. • If attackers choose to attack the area with the most defenders and still score - gain a bonus point. • Progression: • Allow the defenders in the area not being attacked to move across to support the other defence. Perhaps make the secondary defence go deeper around a cone. • Vary the space before game starts between attack and defence - more or less time for the attackers. • Allow defence to recover the ball to counter attack. Key Coaching Points • Reward close and immediate support of the ball carrier in and around contact area. • Defenders deny space and time to the numerically superior attack

Breakdown Fundamentals - 123 Push-up walk

A combination of stretching and conditioning this exercise prepares the body for contact and ground work. Building up a range of techniques and movements on or around the ground is helping to improve contact work for may players

Passing in 4s

A basic handling drill for groups of young players with a mixture of talent. Emphasise technique, passing backwards, and running straight. As players become better they can try wider passes and add more pace. Encourage players to swap position. Counting the number of completed passes in a row challenges the players to never drop the ball.

Tackling Aussie Style

Australian coaches across all age groups have a slightly different approach to teaching the tackle, or do they? You can take a few of their tips and integrate them into your coaching process

Collision Fitness - Spinning Bears

Another innovative exercise from "The Athlete Factory" which combines speed & power with technical accuracy. These exercises can be applied to all age groups to build confidence

England U20's - Tower of Power

The "Tower of Power" principle applies to all age groups and is the basis for all contact skills and groundwork. In this clip the England U 20's players go through some of the fundamentals

Round the World Handling Game

A static handling game that can be played with small groups of players to improve basic catching and passing skills.

Handling Relay - Over / Under

A fun game that combines stretching, movement and hand-eye co-ordination to get players warmed up but keeping the ball in hand.

Principles of Defence - Communication

Ex Harlequins coach Collin Osborne explains his seventh and final defensive principle - Role Clarity.

Passing in Grid

Players move around in a grid passing to each other. A gentle warm up that is easy to grasp if you have a mixture of talent levels. Involves communication and some handling. Progress to include placing the ball on the ground, then another player picking it up. This is another basic skill that also involves a gentle stretch. You can adapt this with any progression you wish.

Body Climbing

In this warm-up exercise, one player squats and holds up their partner, as they climb all the way around their body. Players must work together, and engage key muscle groups in their entire body.

Wasps - Keeping It Fun

We can all take things too seriously at times and need reminding why we take part in sport. It is not only the community game that keeps fun at the centre of things, the pro's do as well. This clip shows a simple fun game to use at the start of sessions

Offloads through contact then lateral pass

In groups of 4, players must support each other through a tight channel of tackle shields, before panning out to complete lateral passes to the wing.

Rugby-Football Game

A great fun game that combines rugby and football, that also tests the players skills for catch & pass, awareness and support play. This can be played with age groups from 13 / 14 upwards

Quick hands game

Two players work in this drill. The head of the group passes to the "Worker" and calls left or right. The passes are made with the balls passed back to the head player and the process repeats. Coaches can use width and depth to make this easier or more difficult

Warm Up - Handling Grid

All players running around in a small grid, popping balls to each other. Mix up the types of passes, such as one-handed, high passes low passes etc. Keep them moving before going into more focused stretches.

Saints Academy Warm Up 2015

Saints Academy warm up is similar in approach to other elite squads but has a few interesting variations. Coaches should consider mixing their warm ups occasionally to keep players motivated

Warm up resistance with fend

Adding in a warm up for collision work is essential with older age groups

Back-to-back Wrestle

A good upper body warm-up to get players ready for contact. Can be used with all age groups.

Hand eye coordination (SM)

A great drill for small groups, lots of passes and practice.

Warm Up - Lower Back

Various individual dynamic stretches for the lower back / core. Particularly important for injury prevention before a contact session.

The Lineout Game - Under13

The under 13 age group uses the full size pitch. The coach should consider that the 5m tram line as a bigger obstacle for a 12 year old thrower, than it is for a 15 year old thrower
To develop lineout understanding, it may be worth exploring for the best thrower and not select their roles at the lineout by shirt numbers

If the policy is to throw to the front at every lineout, how will this develop the tactical and technical understanding of the lineout game?

It may be that possession is occasionally lost, but is the long term development of players more important than any given children’s’ game?

Back Play - Attack From Scrum - Younger Youth

To take advantage of the forwards being grouped and to utilize the space this provides, young players should be encouraged to develop their decision making from a non-prescriptive environment.
It’s not a matter of going through a strike move repertoire. Its a matter of attacking the space between the two teams and running support lines that will assist the ball carrier

Back Play - Attack From Line Out - Older Youth

To take advantage of the forwards being grouped and to utilize the space this provides, the appropriate strike call needs to be made and space attacked
It’s not a matter of going through the strike move repertoire. It is about specific selection from the repertoire in order to attack identified areas of the opposition and game situations

Attacking the space between the two teams is paramount and attacking the ball when running a support line will assist the offload and turn defenders

Back Play from Set Piece - Attack from Line Out

To take advantage of the forwards being grouped and to utilize the space this provides, the appropriate strike call needs to be made and space attached.
Attacking the space between the two teams is paramount and attacking the ball when running support lines will assist the offload and turn defenders.

Coaching Contact Skills With Games - U 11's

Using games to coach can be a challenge for junior coaches. In this clip the Sale sharks community coach delivers a session to develop contact skills at the breakdown by using games, questioning and challenging the players. This can be used for all Junior age groups

Dynamic Jog with Balls

A light team jog with varied dynamic movements to warm up the body for stretching. As a likely first exercise, including a few balls is good to get the players' hand-eye coordination, and concentration kick-started.

Lateral passing in 4s

An essential drill for new players, or a simple but relevant one for experienced players. New players should make sure their passes are not forward and are targeted in front of their teammate's chest. More experienced players can focus on speed of pass and footwork. In this example, a large group is split into two adjacent drills to ensure players aren't stationary for too long.

CCRU Game - Piggy in the middle

Description of activity: In groups of 3 v 1 the three attacking players have the ball and pass it around to each other trying to keep it from the defender. Give the attacking players a target i.e. make 10 successful passes. The defender tries to either intercept the pass or force a poor passes where the ball goes to the ground or outside of the marked area

CCRU Game - Hare and Hounds

Description of activity: Arrange the players so one player in each pair has the ball. The players stand next to each other, inside the marked out working area, with the rest of the group. On the call of go the ball carrier tries to lose his partner. After a short while, the coach blows his whistle to stop all the players. All of the players must stand still and not move their feet. If the hounds can tag the hair, without moving their feet all going off balance, the hound gains a point–if not, their hair games the point. You can now reverse the roles. This can be repeated a number of times and each individual should keep their own score

Speed Training - Warm Up Exercises

All athletes and especially sprinters use agility drills to get the body ready for speed training. Tom Varndell outlines some of the essential techniques players go through before the sprinting starts. You MUST WARM UP

Speed Training - Speed Off The Mark

All players can train to get quicker & being quicker off the mark is a great asset to have when playing rugby. Tom Varndell one of the quickest players in the game goes through some acceleration drills

Minis Warm Up

Ben Mann from Northampton saints delivers a simple warm up that includes lots of movement and dynamic activities to increase blood flow in preparation for the main training session. Coaches can use lots of similar practises to keep children moving and engaged

Tackle Technique - Full Session

[WITH DRILL VIDEOS] This session from Joe Goodman (Bristol University Rugby) has been designed to prepare players for a return to full contact competition, re-establishing correct technique to ensure safe, efficient tackling through progressively increasing the level of contact and complexity of skill execution.

Geech - Bringing a Lions Squad Together

Expert - John Neal - Teams

John Neal discusses the attributes that make an effective team.

Good Practice - Referee & Coaches Debrief

Lineout Lifting Fundamentals - Get started

An effective line out is based upon the fundamentals of movement, jumping and lifting. James Cannon from London Wasps takes some amateur players through the basic skills and techniques

New Kicking Games

Adding variety to your kicking practises will engage your players and motivate them to step up to the challenge. Dave Walder from Newcastle Falcons introduces Three new kicking games in this clip

Attacking with simple systems

Sale Sharks full-back Rob Miller takes junior academy players through some attacking systems and highlights some of the key points to improve accuracy.

CCRU Game - Ball Touch

Aim of the game: Touch as many players as possible with the ball in one minute. The ball must be held in both hands at all times

Warm up with Games

Games are integral to all warm ups, players respond when active and engaged. Use progressions and only spend a few minutes on each activity

Teaching scrum engagement

Coaching the scrum has a series of processes to follow and once you have established a strong body position the engagement and getting ready for the engagement is the next step

Building the Lineout

We have changed the content on this clip - just in the short term - until we produce new content on building the maul from a Lineout - apologies

American Football Touch

Creating new games challenges and motivates players. This game is about getting players to scan and use space

Player / Coach Relationship

How much say do your players have in how you train and prepare? Premiership Rugby stars share their experiences.

Geech - Lions Coaches were Years Ahead

Were the Lions coaches ahead of the game. The 1997 coaches discuss tackle techniques that are only being implemented now

Lions Memories - Part 1/2

Drift Defence from Breakdown

After starting with a defence-focused game, this drill can be used to focus on organising a drift defence from the breakdown. The four defenders touch all cones in the tackle area to simulate chaos before getting into position.

Fringe Defence at the Breakdown

Building a defensive system starts with the first three defenders and what they need to do at the breakdown. The Northampton saints coaches go through the steps and progressions to help younger players learn the key movements and techniques

Lineout - Speed & Movement Drill

Working in pods of three on speed & movement will help you win line outs. Players also develop better skills in order to play a better standard of rugby and help others around them. Another London Irish coaching resource

Sir Ian McGeechan: Sharing Ideas

Sir Ian Mcgeechan discusses how coaches should share information and ideas on coaching and rugby

Warren Gatland as Lions Head Coach

Breakdown - Win the collision

A series of progressions that develop the skills required for players to manage and possibly dominate contact

Geech - Lions Tactics

New Rules of Play - U9s

When viewed as a training session the New Rules Of Play are very straight forward and this clip should explain most of the changes and what you should be doing as a coach

Mini Games

Some simple but fun games to use for getting very young players enjoying rugby

Practice Accurate passing

This clip reinforces the importance of passing and especially accurate passing. The coaches use a variety of practises to test the players skills and help them progress

Harlequins - What Coaches Look For

What is it that elite coaches look for in players

Ruck Clearing Exercises

Two crucial clearance techniques - the saddle roll, and the duck and clean. It's important for players to practice these at length, under pressure, under fatigue, and with an element of decision-making in order to best re-create a match situation.

Passing - 3 v 2 Static Defenders

Progress to working in 3s against two static defenders. The pressure is on the middle player to hold their depth and perform a quick pass.

Tag Game - Piggy in the Middle

A TAG variation to keep challenging decision-making

Interview- Sir Ian McGeechan - sharing ideas

Sir Ian outlines how you can learn from not only coaches but players as well

The Lineout Game - Lifting techniques

The Lineout Game - Lifting techniques

Interview - Questions

John Neal highlights the importance of asking questions for quality coaching and for player development.

Coach by asking question's - John Neal

Psychology expert John Neal discusses how important it is for a coach to ask effective questions.

Coaching Style of Academy Coaches

The approach and style of coaching is changing and this clip provides some indicators of how some of our academy coaches have altered how they teach players

Quins - Beating a Drift Defence

Some warm up exercises with varied catch & pass skills in preparation to move onto fixing defenders and how to beat a drift defence

Stuart Lancaster on Culture

Stuart Lancaster sharing his words of wisdom about creating a performance culture.

Players First - Challenging & New Games

What are the biggest challenges you face as a coach, we all differ and in this clip two under 15's coaches discuss what the struggle with and offer some solutions