Rugby footwork session
Building a rugby coaching session from one element - footwork before contact.
Imagine you have only one rugby training session to coach a core aspect of the game. What do you keep in and what do you leave out?
One of the rugby coaching techniques I use is to construct a single session with progressions, to work only one element of the game at a time. In this session I look at footwork before contact.
Individual work
There are five easy options to mix and match, to help get individuals developing their footwork and evasion skills.
1. Easy dodging
- Split the players into teams of three, with one ball per group.
- The teams move around a 20 metre square using footwork to avoid each other.
- Every time you blow your whistle the ball carrier has to pass the ball to a team mate, but they must not pass less than 3 metres.
2. Heavy traffic
- As before split the players into teams of three, with one ball per group.
- Once again the teams have to move around the square avoiding each other.
- However, now when you blow your whistle the ball carrier must run after his two team mates, trying to touch them on the back with the ball.
3. Footwork at different heights
Players also have to use footwork skills to drive through the collision and the tackle, often when they are bent over or leaning forward.
- Use the same exercises as above, but make all the players run lower. This means, bending at the knees and the hips, but always with their heads up.
4. Don't look down!
- Place cones or use ladders in a small area.
- The players have to run through them WITHOUT looking at their feet.
5. Hips for different widths
Footwork is also about shifting and twisting the hips.
- Set up a series of narrow gates with poles or players holding tackle backs.
- Each player has to pass through the gate facing in a direction specified by you. For instance, I use a coloured cone by each gate to indicate which way the player should be facing when he moves through the gate.
- Next have the players running through the gates sideways or backwards.
Group work
In a team situation footwork can be used to beat a player as a pass is received, or to get into a better position to support or be supported.
1. Late passes to static players
- Set up a 1 v 1, where you or a player pass the ball to an attacker two metres from a defender.
- From a standing start the attacker has to get beyond the defender's starting point.
- Develop this by adding an attacking support player and then another defender, all static.
2. Late passes to sprinting players
- Set up the same 1 v 1, but now in a 5 metre channel. Again you or a player pass the ball to the attacker.
- Now the attacker starts seven metres back and runs onto the pass to beat the defender.
- Use the same developments as above.
Conditioned games
Game 1: On the charge 1 v 3
- Set up a 10 metre square. Start a single player (the "ball carrier") from the opposite end to the three defenders.
- The ball carrier tries to carry the ball as far up the square as possible, while the three defenders try to hold him up.
- Measure how far the ball carrier progresses by observing the furthest point the ball gets to whilst in his possession.
Game 2: Late support 2 v 3
- Use the same set up as the 1 v 3 game, but now with a second attacker (the "supporter") starting from the middle of one side of the square. The supporter must run round one of the corners behind the ball carrier before joining the game.
- Both attackers try to carry the ball as far up the square as possible, while the three defenders try to hold them up.
- Measure how far the attackers progress by observing the furthest point the ball gets to whilst in their possession.
This article is taken from the Better Rugby Coaching e-newsletter. Click here to sign up and get free rugby drills and skills twice a week.
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