Rugby coaching session to improve high speed passing

Low-intensity passing feeds into bad habits in games. You can avoid this by ramping up your rugby players' running speeds. In this rugby coaching session there is a premium on passing accuracy, but not necessarily style.

I sometimes use this rugby coaching session in a pre match warm up to activate the players' minds.

What you tell your players the session is about

Passing when they are running at full speed and against a full speed defence.
Getting them to make quick decisions on when to pass to finish off a move.

What to think about in the coaching session

Because everything is done at high speed, your rugby players need to concentrate on their core techniques.
Under this sort of pressure, it is easy for the players to identify that their hands need to reach for the ball and finish towards the intended passer. Have the players “self correct” rather than pointing out why things didn’t work.
The length and speed of the scrum half pass will change the timing of the runs of the attacking players. This will also put more pressure on the scrum halves to deliver better passes.

What you tell your players to do

Sprint onto the pass and pass on the run.
Run straight to keep balanced.
Deliver accurate passes by passing for the target, not at the target.

What you get your players to do

Set up the players as in the top picture. The attack sprint forward through the cones in front of them, which triggers the defender to sprint forward.
A scrum half (9) delivers a pass to the first receiver who then passes onto the second receiver, before the defender gets to them. Start with a short pass from 9, before lengthening the pass.
Adjust the starting points to ensure a good contest and swap the side the 9 passes from.

High speed passing rugby drill session

What to call out in this rugby coaching session

“Reach for the ball.”
“Keep the ball moving across the body on the same plane.”
“Finish off with the hands towards the target.”
“Sprint!”

Develop the drill

Add another attacker and defender. Repeat the rugby drill. Again adjust the starting points to encourage the right balance of success.

Initially, only allow the second defender to go for the second receiver. Then let the second defender go either in or out.

Game situation

Split your players into four attackers plus a forward, maybe the 8, and a 9, against three defenders. The forward runs along a lateral line with a ball, whilst the attack keep realigning.

He stops, shouts “DOWN” and then a number between one and three. This indicates the number of players to defend. He then releases the ball through his legs at any moment he chooses and the play develops.

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Click here for a rugby footwork drill to boost passing on the run.