Tri-Attack, Passing Rugby

Description

• Using cones, mark out a 15 x 10 meter training grid.
• Split your players into groups of 4, and allocate 3 groups of 4 to each training area.
• Each group gets their own ball.
• Have enough training areas to keep all of your players as busy as possible.
• Consider having a group to demonstrate, and also dividing your players by ability.
• Tell your players the following......
1. The first line of attackers move forward, passing the ball down the line.
2. The entire group switches position to the right side of the grid, and attacks as a line.
3. They then attack down the grid through the top of the grid, facing the next line of attack.
• Progression: Place a time restriction on finishing the circuit e.g. 30 second, 25 seconds etc.

Coaching Points

Don't feel that you have to focus on all of the following coaching points, you may have your own. Select the points that most closely match your overall training and session goals.

• Players should work to keep the tempo of the session high.
• Receivers hands should be out, presenting a target.
• Ball carriers carry the ball in two hands.
• The pass is weighted in terms of distance, speed, and accuracy.
• The pass is only complete when caught.
• Players do not spin the ball over short distances and their pass should be sympathetic to the receiver.
• Ball carriers pass to where the receiver is going to be, not where they are.
• Ball carriers provide a flat ball or a ball that the receiver can run onto.
• The receiver attacks at pace, receiving the ball while moving forward at pace.
• Players demonstrate good communication . Communication should be efficient, effective, and encouraging. Receivers should identify themselves, their location etc. Ball carriers should verbally seek out support.
• Mistakes will be made, allow your players the freedom to make mistakes without feeling a failure.
• Passing should be off both hands. There is no weak or strong hand, just hands that need a little more work. Work is the key, not talent.
• The attack must maintain width and depth.
• The ball should be held on either side with both hands and fingers spread, raise the elbow opposite to the direction of the pass, push through the pass moving the point of the ball to face the target passing area - using the wrists to generate more power when needed, pass the ball with the fingers/hands finishing at a point towards the target. You may ask younger player to finish with a thumbs up to the receiver - ensuring their hands finish facing the target.
• Be careful not to give the players too much to think about e.g. if they are worrying about foot position etc - it may impact on their ability to - just pass the ball. With respect to foot position, the opposite foot to the direction of the pass should be forward (this opens up the hips) - but this won't always be possible in the game.
• As this point we don't want to spin the ball.

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