Passing accurately at speed

Rugby training exercises to help players practise effective passing while running fast.

Slowing down to pass can cause the defence to catch up or cover across, therefore, your players need to be able to pass comfortably when they are close to top speed.

To enable this they need to keep focused on the key factors.

Key factors for passing at pace

Players should not expect to pass as far at pace.
The pass should always be in front of the receiver.
Receivers must have their hands up to take the pass.
Receivers need to keep their eyes on the ball until it is in their hands.
Receivers should reach for the ball to catch it, then keep it away from the body.
Once the ball is in their hands, the receiver needs to quickly switch the focus to the next target.

1. Through the gate

Start one player five metres from a "gate" formed between two players. He accelerates forwards.
The runner receives a pass from one player and gives an accurate pass to the other player without slowing down.

The players in the gate must give a good pass and make a good target to pass to.
As the runners improve, you can add a second and third gate for them to run through, receiving and giving a pass at pace at each gate.

2. Three up

Start a group of three players in a staggered line.
Have them accelerate forwards and pass the ball to the first player.
The players then have to pass the ball as fast as they can along the line at full pace, getting it to the third player as quickly as possible.

Note the cone at which the last player receives the ball. In the group's next run, challenge them to get the ball along the line quicker.

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.