Rugby warm up drill to teach spatial awareness

I used to teach netball and I reckon it's better than basketball as a means of teaching spatial awareness, footwork and go forward. So you might like to try this fun warm-up drill which uses netball principles.

Rugby netball is a great way to develop core rugby skills, although when you mention it to the players it may cause a few groans. So this is fresh drill version for you to try. It's a great rugby drill to use for a 10-minute warm-up coaching session.

The drill set up: Lay out a 20 metre square pitch, with a 2 metre square box (or circle) at each end. These are the scoring zones.
The teams: Pick out two equal teams of no more than eight a side.
Scoring: To score in this drill, the ball must be caught in a scoring zone. The scoring zone is out of bounds to the defence, and can only be occupied by an attacker for three seconds.
Passing: The ball can be passed forward. Any type of pass is allowed, but no pass can be more than 5 metres.
Running: Players cannot run with the ball.
Marking: These are the two key rules in the drill. Every player must be marked by another player. Players cannot swap markers during the game.
Contact: Don't allow contact. Defenders must be three feet from the ball carrier at all times. Any closer and they are penalised with one push up whilst the play continues.
If the ball goes to the ground, it is given to the team not in possession previously.
Penalties: Any offence leads to the ball immediately being passed to the other side at the point where the offence occurred.

Develop the drill

Defenders: Two players on each side are nominated to defend only. They are not allowed out of their half. This will free up space for both sides, since the man markers will have to remain with their defenders (in effect becoming outright attackers).
Quick passing: Once in possession a side must move the ball out of their half within 10 seconds.

Drill skills to look for

Players getting into space, away from defender. They should use side steps, twists and changes of pace in this rugby drill.
Accurate passing in traffic.
Different types of passing.
Clear communication, such as using names and hand signals during the drill.
Players working quickly and problem solving.