Rugby Drills

Rugby is an old sport which has its beginnings in England. Rugby could be termed as the purest form of sport, as it requires a player to possess tremendous strength and great speed together, with players wearing minimum protective gear, a combination not found generally in other forms of sport. It is a highly physical sport demanding top-notch fitness levels from players. Surprisingly, this sport is not at all brawn and a player does require some amount of skill as well. Rugby drills are designed to enable players inculcate these skills among them.

Basic Rugby Drills

Defense vs Attack
This rugby drill involves quick passing among forwards and also tests defense players on their ability to tackle attackers from inside the shoulder, while they are running. Requirements would be - a ball and about 11 cones for marking purposes.

The Drill

• Arrange all attacking players in a diagonal line. Let defenders stand all together at a considerable distance ahead of the attackers on their right .
• Pass the ball to the right most attacker.
• With the ball in hand, the attackers should run ahead in a straight line, passing the ball to the side.
• As these attackers move forward, defenders should try to prevent them from scoring with a two handed tag.
• The drill ends when either group succeeds and restarts all over again.

Variations

• Try increasing the number of defenders
• Reduce space between markers and perform the drill in a shorter space to get players even more focused.
• Give defenders more liberty in tackling attackers.

The coach should make sure attackers pass the ball around quickly and are running straight. There must be communication and coordination among players in the same group.

Ball Presentation Drill
This is one of the exercises for kids and adults alike. It has a very simple setup and improves basic passing skills of players. Requirements would be - a ball and 4 cones acting as markers.

The Drill

• Mark out a square shaped section using cones.
• There will be one attacker and two defenders. All three of them will be arranged in a straight line vertically, with the attacker on the border of the square and both defenders in front of him.
• The attacker is the ball carrier and is in contact with the defender just ahead of him.
• When the coach calls, the attacker tries to move forward using his legs.
• The other defender comes in from behind to stop the attacker's momentum. Once stopped, the attacker should run and place the ball cleanly.

The coach should note that the attacker has his head held up and not down at any point of time. He should also move ahead using small steps with a straight back.

Game Line Drill
This is done to improve defenders play around fringes of the ruck. Requirements would be - 3 balls, 3 tackle bags and cones for markings.

The Drill

• There will be 9 attackers up against 6 defenders.
• The attackers need to arrange themselves in a line horizontally, with defenders in front arranged in a similar manner.
• Use cones to mark out 3 breakdown areas on the field and a ball needs to be kept at each of these places. Label the breakdown areas 1, 2, 3 and let players know about the numbering.
• The coach will shout out a number and all players must run to that particular breakdown area, taking positions.
• The half back then passes the ball to attackers.
• The defenders need to protect the fringes of the ruck and prevent any attacker from crossing the line.
• The attackers on the other hand must use all their skill and try crossing the gain line.
• On completion of the attack, the coach calls out a different number and the drill continues there.

Variations

• Change positions of the breakdown areas.
• Change numbers of breakdown areas and try mixing up the calling.
• Exploit the defense by getting in the attacking option for attackers.

There should be at least 2 defenders on either side of the ruck and the third defender should be against the first receiver. Each group must communicate within themselves and also exhibit coordination. Attackers should try figuring out different options and have good depth in their positioning.

3 Point Tackling Drill
This basic rugby drill aims at improving tackling skills of players using both shoulders and that too from all angles. Requirements would be - a ball, 1 agility pole and 3 cones.

The Drill

• Arrange 3 cones and the agility pole in a diamond sort of formation.
• Get 3 players to stand behind each of the cones.
• One player comes to the center with the ball and on the coach's call, runs around the agility pole to come back to the place he started.
• When he arrives, he is met with a side-on tackle by a player from one of the sides.
• The defender, after making the tackle, secures the ball and runs around the agility pole.
• When he arrives beck to the center, he is met with a front on tackle from a player in behind the cone in front.
• This player then collects the ball and runs around the agility pole and is again tackled by a defender at the center.
• The drill continues till every player has tackled and carried the ball around the pole.

The coach should ensure tackles have the right head position to prevent injuries and all tackling must be started using shoulders.

Practice your exercises and skills regarding this game will definitely improve. Drills mentioned here are just some basic ones and coaches can themselves device practice drills, which they feel will improve their player's ability.