The Loop pass - basic drill

To develop handling skills

Four Player Continuous Passing

A quick drill to focus the players before going into a session or at the start of a match day warm up.

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.

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.

Attack vs Defence Continuous Drill 4V2

The attackers work to beat the defence, setting up a 'tip' (running a hard line) and 'pull back' option. They should read the defensive movements and make a decision to hit the tip option or pull out the back.

Handling relay

By giving multiple opportunities to pass you develop the technique and then the skills

Handling relay right to left

All players need to timing the pass and communicating at all times

Most popular passing drill

This practice is repeated at every level of rugby to repeat the most important fundamental of the game. Coaches can change the conditions to make this exercise easier or harder

Continuous Breakdown Drill

This drill takes you through a simple drill where multiple breakdown and contact skills are tested. You'll also be given the reasons why it is practised this way.

Continuous Breakdown Drill

This drill takes you through a simple drill where multiple breakdown and contact skills are tested. You'll also be given the reasons why it is practised this way.

Quick Fire Passing Grid

Use as either part of your warm up or as a breakout, this exercise is a high intensity passing challenge. Encourage your players to take ownership of this grid and manage the intensity themselves. Should create lots of fun

Attack Grid For All Ages

Progress your passing practises to make them competitive by adding defenders and ore chaos. This attack grid has lots of flexibility and can be used with players of all ages

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.

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.

Pull back Pass

A clever exercise that keeps the players involved and moving constantly with an emphasis on depth and accurate passing. Players need to concentrate, communicate and be accurate if the drill is to continue. Coaches can add width, more players or in this example another ball to increase difficulty

Pass to the runner behind

Handling drill working on lines of running

Passing Progressions with defenders

Use progressions to change the pressure points so that players are taken "Out of their comfort zone" and experience more match related situations. Rugby is about creating a 2 v 1 opportunity so fixing defenders is one of the most important skills to learn

Pulling the pass back off both sides

A handling drill progression

The Miss Pass - common problems

To develop handling

Wrap & short pass

Handling drill progression

Pulling the pass back

A handling drill progression

Passing Accuracy

Accuracy of passing can make the difference between finished chances or missed opportunities. In this video, Northampton Saints look at developing passing accuracy through games and focused exercises. Log in to see the full sessions.

Catch & Pass Progressions

Passing progressions are based upon the ability of players to fix defenders. Always insure your exercises reflect match situations and refrain from just doing drills because they look good

Lateral passing & pulling back the pass from wide

Handling Progression for developing the ability to create depth from a flat line

Lateral passing & miss pass with follow in 3s

handling progression for developing lines of running and support

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.

Farrell & Ford - Spin Passes

The quality of passes from Ford and Farrell to enable Elliot Daley to slide past his defender was the difference in the Wales V England match. The skills required to perfect these passes were honed on the training ground over several years. See what type of drills they did and still do

Advanced Passing Skills

Passing skills are a high priority for most coaches and teachers. This video features a "Grip Game" to test the offloading skills and ball control of players

Learning to pass laterally in 4's

Developing our lateral passing skills. The coach can alter the width, depth and number of players

Simple Passing Exercises & Games

The Wasps coaches use a mixture of games and drills to develop the passing skills of young players. Players are encouraged to respond to questions. Games are used to improve the learning experience

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.

CCRU Game - Passing Pairs

Aim of the game: In pairs, walk, jog or run around the grid, passing to their partner only when they call for the ball. Other players will be obstructing their vision and the flight of the pass, so decisions on when to pass will need to be developed

NSW Waratahs - Quick Passing

Southern hemisphere players pride themselves on their passing skills. In this clip, the NSW Waratahs go through some wide passing exercises.

Passing and Support Lines

This clip shows the classic passing process but with a significant twist in what players can do post the pass

Passing in 2s

Working in pairs, the key point of this passing drill is for the support runner to be deep and taking the ball at pace.

Home Training - Fun Catching & Passing Games

A variety of drills and games to practice and improve your catching & passing

L2 - Continuous Rugby

Skill Practice Description • Play 7 v 7 Continuous Rugby i.e. after a score, the team who has just scored, keeps possession and immediately starts attacking the far try line. • This allows attacker to play against broken defences (defence not spread in a flat line across the field of play). • This will help players to use evasive skills and maintain continuity, with more passing before being tackled (3 second recycles after a tackle or it becomes a turnover). Key Coaching Points • Communication • Quickness of attack at a disorganised defence • Skills to attack space • Footwork and evasion skills • Scanning skills Relevance to the Game • Great for coaching counter attacking and challenging speed in organisation of both attack and defence. • Any player can be ball carrier and communication is vital as is decision making in identifying space and the best way to attack it successfully

Skills at home - Learning to spin pass

Learning to spin pass is one of the first things young players want to do, it takes hours of practice and older / elite players continue practising throughout their careers. This video shows some simple exercises to do at home

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

Lateral passing in 3s with a switch

A core passing exercise for developing the lateral passing drill

Passing in 4s - variations

Adding variations to a basic lateral passing drill is a solid foundation to build into strike moves. Players should concentrate on pass accuracy and the timing and direction of their running lines. Add defenders to progress.

Paul Gustard - Games V Drills For Best Results

How do you decide on the amount of games v drills you do in your sessions. Paul Gustard provides an insight into his view and why

The Miss Pass intro

Develop handling skills

Lateral Pass in 5s

This simple drill breaks down the catch and pass while running in a straight line. Players also practice their communication skills.

Games & drills for tackle technique

The Falcons coaches use a variety of games and breakout drills to progress their tackle technique session. The players respond to questions to vary the style of coaching

A Deep Look Into Simple Passing

Here we take a look at a simple drill and Graham Steadman discusses the importance of getting the basics right. If every player can do this well your attacking speed will really improve.

The Miss Pass Key Coaching Points

To review handling Key factors

Catch Up Passing Game

A quick handling game to warm up. Handy if there's a few players standing around at the beginning of a session, waiting for others to turn up.

One handed passing down channel holding 2 balls

This drill allows you to develop control over the ball and the ability to pass one handed if needed to

Attack Grid - 4 v 2

This continuous exercise puts pressure on your players to think fast and be ruthless in attacking the space. Coaches can change the size of the grid and the number of defenders to make it an easier game

Lateral passing in 3s

A great warm up drill and passing exercise.

Snake Run and Pass

Players must closely follow the player in front, changing direction with them in a small grid. The front player pop passes to their closest supporter then rejoins the back of the snake.

Lateral passing in 3s

A core handling exercise that coaches can use to vary the width, depth of pass plus introduce static and live defenders. An exercise repeated at the elite end of the game

CCRU - Principles of Play - Continuity

Continuity through
Evasive running

Passing before contact

During contact

After contact

Learning to spin pass 3

To practice the core passing technique before integrating into a moving drill or game.

2 v 1 Draw and Pass

A basic 2 v 1 drill that encourages players to time their pass after they have drawn a defender, and for the supporting player to hold their depth.

British lions - support & attack drill 1

This drill illustrates how attack can go from narrow channels to wide play very quickly, and players should practice this continually

Home Training - Passing with Dad

A range of simple drills that can also be progressed to really test hand eye skills. All of these practises can be done with more people. Set targets to increase the fun

3 v 2 in Channel

A development of the 2 v 1 and 3 v1 drills, the attackers now must beat 2 defenders. This requires more decision-making ability as the movements of the defenders could change every time. Players must communicate as well as continue to perform their handling and running skills.

The MIss Pass game footage

to illustrate handling skills

Games or drills ?

The coaches explain why they use games and provide examples of how they deliver a session using games with technical skills as the basis for learning

2 v 1 with withd & flat pass

These are core skill drills for youngsters to learn the game. As a coach you can alter the width and depth of the supporting players

Two Channel Passing Exercise

Players work in 3s running around the corner and realigning to attack. Introduce defenders and the need to look up and communicate.

The Miss Pass - simple exercise

To develop handling

Continuity

Continuity

Dean Ryan: Why use Drills?

Dean Ryan explains why drills are sometimes necessary, when breaking down a skill to single components before bringing them back into a game situation.

Scrum Half Passing with Chris Cusiter - Wrist Warm-Up

Sale Sharks and Scotland scrum half Chris Cusiter leads a session on passing from the base of a scrum or ruck. In this first video, Chris addresses basic technique in a couple of exercises that warm up the wrists and arms.

Planning your session & set up

Spending a few minutes to set up will improve the quality of your session considerably. Mixing games and breakout drills keeps the training fresh and interesting while the progressions you use reinforce the skills you are teaching

The MIss Pass - coaching tips

To develop the Miss Pass

3. Half Back Play Continued

A scrum half needs good vision, speed and awareness, quick hands and lightning reactions. The scrum half is the key link between the forwards and the back line. A good scrum half will know how to vary the play and take advantage of any opportunity that the opposition may offer
The fly half is the heart beat of the side and should be a key influence on the way the team plays the game. Almost every attack will go through the fly half, so they need to develop tactical awareness, accurate passing, kicking accuracy, vision, leadership and resilience

The Loop Pass - Footage

To develop core handling skills

Continuity in Attack - French Mini's

These young players may not run forward every time, but they do manage to keep possession through communication, support and passing. The coach allows the players to learn through discovery and with little intervention and direction

2v1 relay

An intense drill for producing decision making under the pressure of speed and time

Tackle bag grid chase the tackler 2

a high intensity support and conditioning drill in a small space, that you can manage

Evasion 1 v 1 after pass

Core skills handling

Intense handling exercise - 4 man

Core skills drill

Fundamentals of Movement - Handling Progression

The players are again moving around the grid in the gears dictated by the coach. This time, they are required to high five each other with alternate hands while holding a ball with the other.

This tests their co-ordination, communication and multi-tasking abilities.

Lateral passing & double switch in 3s

A core handling exercise for developing lines of running

Warm-up Handling Game

A slightly harder handling game that challenges one player to concentrate on two balls at once. A good test of co-ordination.

Blitz & Drift Defence Drills

This video takes you through the basics of both blitz and drift defences and provides great drill ideas.

Three Channel Passing Challenge

Adding pressure to key skills is crucial to improve your players and to practise like you play. This exercise covers a variety of skills but essentially is about accurate passing and fixing defenders

Coaching the spin pass

Saracens academy coach Rory Teague explains the basic principles of the spin pass including the exercises and progressions that can be used to help players improve their techniques and accuracy

Catch and Pass Basics

Northampton saints academy manager Ross Stewart outlines why the basics are so important and runs through some simple techniques

Quins - Developing An Accurate Pass

Coaching players to pass with variety and accuracy is one of the most important challenges a coach faces. The Harlequins academy players are presented with some very challenging exercises to help this process

JWC 2012: Forwards Passing

At the JWC 2012 is was clear that more forwards were passing the ball.

Fun Passing Games

Children are naturally competitive and will engage more in training exercises that include a competitive edge. This challenges their skills under pressure and creates excitement and fun

Zig Zag Passing Challenge

This passing exercise is weird, extremely tough to do but will take your players out of their comfort zone and challenge them, can your players master it?

Core skills Miss Pass intro

To develop the core passing skills

What is a lateral pass

To develop the lateral passing and take a look at the fundamental movements

Passing Under Pressure

Being able to pass under pressure is how players perform in games. This exercise challenges players to react to multiple prompts and is great for all junior and senior players

Passing in pairs

To get young players used to passing and catching the ball. This is best suited to a warm up exercise and get the players moving and active quickly

Improve Ball Presentation and Handling

This exercise from London Scottish works to maintain high levels of both ball presentation and handling skills at the same time.

Running & Passing Lines

The aim is to fix defenders via the attacking players running straight, and preserving the space on the outside and to stop defenders from drifting. This will support the executing of overlaps.

11. 4 v 2 Continuous Touch Rugby

Chaos Grid For Multiple Skills

This practise will challenge all players at all levels, originally seen at Bath RFC in 2012 it is been adapted for all players. The coach can change the width and pressure to fit in with the player abilities. The players love this !

Falcon's Grid exercise for running lines

Running straight and changing your running line will make players better attackers and underpins an effective 2 v 1. Dave Walder from Newcastle Falcon's run's through a new style exercise that all coaches can use.

Passing and Attacking Lines

Northampton Saints Academy coaches introduce a conditioned exercise to help develop attacking skills.

Paul Hull: Continuous Learning

Paul Hull explains the importance of keeping your coaching sessions fresh and constantly learning from others.

Hand-eye Coordination

This 4-man handling grid tests the coordination and peripheral vision of the central player. They have to accurately pass two balls quickly among the other 3 players. Change the central player regularly. Key factors : Communication - Concentration - Timing - Use wrists and not arms

Improve your passing

Harlequins pride themselves on their attacking play and the foundation to this philosophy is the quality of their passing. Attack coach Colin Osbourne runs skills session on passing accuracy.