Coaching youth rugby moves and plays

Youth rugby has a number of differences from the adult version and requires different strategies. In this article I look at moves and plays.

Square switch passes

The "switch pass", also known as the "scissor" or "cut pass", is where the ball carrier passes the ball to a player moving in a different direction behind them. It could always be performed better, but younger players find the whole mechanics of it difficult.

Try this: the ball carrier runs forward, then makes a right angle turn. The receiver runs straight and takes the pass as the ball carrier runs past them. The receiver can then decide whether to run forwards or take another angle depending on the defence in front of them.

Miss moves

Getting the ball wide to the wingers makes a great deal of sense in youth rugby. It spreads the defence and gets everyone in the team involved. Passing the ball out to the wing can be tough without a miss pass.

If your team's miss passes are not working, here are eight tips to improve their execution.

Players should turn their hips towards the target.
Players should slow down to pass.
The passer should use a high elbow and look at the receiver.
Players should only pass off their good hand in matches. They should practice using either hand, with a ratio 3:1, weak to strong.
To pass the "other way" in a match, a player can turn and pass with their stronger hand.
Take the pace off a pass - it is not the speed of a pass that counts.
The target area for the pass changes for different players. Always aim for the chin of the receiving player. The taller the player, the further in front of them the pass should be made.
And finally, the passer should recognise that most of the time the receiver will drift away from the incoming pass. They should take this into account and pass a bit further than they might think.

Get your wingers into the attack

During an attack, some of the fastest and most aware wingers will try to get to the other side of the field. In practice, and especially for youth players, this can be tough going. If the ball goes back to their wing, they'll also be out of position.

Try to get your wingers to think "I must get inside the fly half (10) or inside centre (13) if the ball is going to be moved away from my wing". That way they'll be able to add numbers into the midfield, whilst covering their wing.

Penalty moves

In comparison to practising other aspects of the game, there often seems to be a disproportionately large time spent on penalty moves. Here is one simple idea: "nagging".

Once a penalty has been awarded, any forward can call this move. The forward then immediately picks up the ball and simply runs at the opposition, with all the other forwards following. This has the element of spontaneity, with no time wasted setting up. If done regularly, players soon get used to the idea.

Players should also practise tapping the ball along the floor, and then picking it up and running. This is to help them learn to avoid silly knock-ons.

To maintain momentum, attack from all areas of the pitch and score more tries, your players need to understand some key rugby moves and plays. My Rugby Attack! playbook contains 27 core offensive moves to run from rucks, mauls, lineouts, scrums and penalties, as well as in open play.Click here to learn more.

Click here to read more tips on coaching young players.