Rugby coaching session to develop a power step into contact

The "power" step into contact will greatly enhance your rugby players' transfer of power. You need to get them to use it instinctively, however. This rugby coaching session will help players step correctly into the contact situation so they stay on their feet and make a powerful drive.

Check your players' technique

Set up a rugby coaching drill with one player with a hit shield and one player 3m back, who runs up and clears out the hit shield man for 2m or 3m.

As your players do this, look at how many times they change the shoulder they hit with. Do they have a more effective or preferred hitting shoulder?

Develop drill skills

Develop the drill by asking the hit shields to push forward, hard into contact, and to resist the push without spinning out of it.

Many players are likely to step with the left foot into contact, but hit with the right shoulder (or vice versa). This has the effect of placing less weight behind, and transferring less power through the shoulder.

A tell-tale sign of a poor body position is when the player clearing out hits the contact, but their body and backside spin out of line. This is because most of the players' weight is going through the plant leg side and not the hit shoulder.

A clever and dynamic opponent at a ruck can spin out and continue to contest the ball, especially if the bind is non-existent or poor.

Correcting the "spins"

Set up the same rugby coaching drill as before, but this time place a ball immediately in front of the hit shield. Ask the clearing player to step over the ball with their left foot and hit with their left shoulder. They must repeat the drill with the right foot and right shoulder.

Aim to get the clearing player to step as close to the opposition player as they can. They should aim to step beyond their leading foot. Care should be taken so players do not to touch the ball.

With the extra body weight being channelled through the hit shoulder, the body should stay in line with the hit. This results in a more efficient and effective clear out, especially if combined with a tight bind and quick, short, explosive footwork. Exactly the same principles apply to the tackle.

Place, step and clear out session

Put four players with hit shields at one end of a 15m square. Have another four players, each with a ball, 5m in front of each hit shield. Spread out a further four to eight players 2m behind the ball carriers.
On your command a nominated ball carrier runs up and shows agility and footwork to beat the hit shield man. Any contact with the shield represents a tackle.
If a tackle is made, the ball carrier goes to ground and places the ball. The nearest one or two non-ball carrying players run and support the ball carrier, step over him and the ball, and power step into the hit shield man (standing directly behind the ball), driving him backwards.
Return the ball to its original spot and you call another number for the exercise to continue. Ensure all players come through the "gate" and remain on their feet.
A strong flat back, tight bind and explosive, short, quick footwork into and through contact is vital.

Develop the session

Call two or even three numbers simultaneously to increase support player decision-making and numbers.
The ball carrier does not have to run into the shield directly in front of him, but can try to score past any shield anywhere in the box. If the ball carrier is hit by a shield, he must place the ball and support players must clear out.
Introduce a scrum half. Once the first ruck is won, the scrum half passes off to a new player who attacks again. You can allow two to three continuous rucks.
Allow more than one hit shield man to contest the ball/ruck area.
Play continuously until a try is scored or a mistake is made.
Take away the hit shields and make the practice "live".

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Click here for a rugby footwork drill to coach a good step into contact.