Four rugby tips for coaching the miss pass
When and where to use the miss pass. The rugby coach's checklist.
In my view one of the great frustrations of open play rugby is watching players misusing the miss pass. Too often this rugby move is poorly executed, poorly timed and turns a potentially dynamic situation into a laborious piece of slow play.
Here's my rugby coaching checklist of how I get my players to understand when, where and how to use the miss pass.
The miss pass is BEST...
- To avoid passing to a slower player when trying to move the ball out wide.
- To release a move or players further away from the bulk of the opposition defence.
- To pass to a player in space.
- To stretch a defence and create gaps.
The miss pass is WORST...
- When there is an "overload", such as a when three attackers face two defenders. A miss pass in this situation allows the defenders to slide over quicker, so reducing the numerical advantage.
Common mistakes in the execution of the miss pass
- The receiver runs away from the pass, so the pass dips before it reaches them, or the passer does not put the ball in front of the receiver.
- The missed player does not look like they are going to receive the ball.
Getting more from your miss passes
- The receiver runs on an outside arc, using their speed against a slower defender.
- The receiver receives a flat, very late pass.
- The length of the pass. The miss pass does not have to be a long pass, especially if the receiver is going to crash the ball up.
- The spin pass. If the receiver arrives quite close to the missed player, you do not need to use the spin pass.
Top miss pass rugby coaching tips
- The passer slows down to pass and turns their hips towards the receiver.
- The missed player calls for the ball convincingly and as if they are going to get it. Scott Gibbs, the Wales and Lions centre, used to shout "don’t waste me" as the ball went in front of him and further down the line.
- The missed player runs towards the pass. This helps to reveal the receiver as well as interest the defence.
- The missed player claps their hands as the ball goes passed them. This might convince the defence that the player has received the ball, but will keep the missed player's hands up and in a position as if they are going to receive it.
If you're looking for more ways to attack using the miss pass, then my Rugby Attack! manual could be the answer. Containing 27 pre-prepared plays, Rugby Attack! will help you produce co-ordinated attacks that suit your team's strengths and target weaknesses in the opposition.
Click here to read more and download a sample move, and to order and download your PDF copy today.
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