Filed under: Dan Cottrell, rugby defence, Rugby Skills, Rugby Training | Tags: defence into attack, rugby decision-making, Rugby Drills, rugby handling
Here is a rugby drill I did about three years ago. It is easy to set up and works on players making the transition from defence to attack. It is a Smart Session.
Filed under: Dan Cottrell, Rugby Coaching, Rugby Skills, Rugby Training | Tags: fast hands, rugby catching, Rugby Drills, rugby handling, Rugby Skills, Rugby Training
This week I was asked to come up with some fast hands rugby drills. As some of you know, I am not a great fan of the term “drill”, but it matters little in the end because it is what the players learn in training that counts.
Why fast hands
“Fast hands” means quick transference of the ball from one player to the next to the next. In other words, at least one quick pass in a series of two or more passes. Relating this to the game, it is unlikely that we need ”fast hands” for more than three passes.
Game related reasons
“Fast hands” are meaningless unless there is a good reason to pass the ball in the first place. The reason in this case is that the receiver and giver is under pressure in front of him and there is someone better placed to take the ball forward. Two sets of “fast hands” means that two players are under this pressure and so on.
Ultimately, my drill/exercise needs to get to the high pressure stage.
Constructing a drill
In a quick audit of the stuff I have published I find I have over 300 “sessions” to choose from (not all handling of course), plus another 40 odd in the pipeline till Christmas. But why not use a fresh idea.
Here are the three things I think about when constructing a rugby drill
1. Paint a picture of the game and can I isolate the technique?
2. What is the fewest number of players I need?
3. Where can I add value?
Point 3 is the crucial one. For fast hands, my answer was “its in the catching”.
Look out for my “drills” coming up soon.
Filed under: Dan Cottrell, Rugby Skills, Rugby Training, Uncategorized | Tags: All Blacks training methods, rugby handling, Rugby Skills, rugby support, touch rugby
Ok, it is the All Blacks, but…
1. Look at the rules: two handed touch, ball carrier and one team mate to the ground, plus the toucher and one of his team mates too. This creates space and encourages support around the fringes.
2. Look at the work rate: at the end these boys are tired.
3. Look at the rugby basics: two hands on the ball, passing before contact, changing angles, arriving from depth.
Touch rugby is a great game for many reasons, but needs careful control to gain the full benefits.
Here are links to some more ideas on touch rugby from the Better Rugby Coaching site:
Filed under: Dan Cottrell, Rugby Skills, Rugby Training | Tags: pre-season planning, rugby conditioning, rugby footwork, rugby handling, rugby mauling, rugby planning, rugby rucking, Rugby Tactics
I am just writing out my season plan. On my list I have nine areas I know I need to cover in training:
1. Tackling
2. Handling
3. Footwork
4. Kicking
5. Rucking
6. Mauling
7. Scrum
8. Lineout
9. Match tactics
I am ignoring rugby conditioning at the moment. If I have four weeks, I have worked out that I should cover four areas a week, with match tactics thrown in for the last few weeks.
