Picking up the ball training drills

The ball will be on the ground for a number of reasons. For instance, after a tackle, or from dropped passes, rucks, tapped down lineouts, or just a loose ball. Use these rugby drills to boost ball pick-up skills.

The technique

The player should take small steps approaching the ball.
The player should keep his eyes on the ball and not look for opposition players coming in.
He should get his body over the ball and side on to the opposition, with one foot each side of the ball.
The player should have a wide stance with hips low to the ground.
He should pick up the ball with both hands and pull it into the chest.
The ball carrier should now look at the attacking options available.

Easy training drills to improve pick up

Players in pairs roll the ball out for each other. The chasing player follows the ball and picks it up using the drill technique described above and passes back to their partner.
Groups of four in Indian file start on the touchline with a ball at the front. The first player runs out three or four metres, places the ball and becomes a defender two metres beyond the ball. The next player picks up the ball as described and either beats the defender or passes to one of the support players.

The defender can try and disrupt the pass to test how strong the player’s body position is. The next ball carrier places the ball and becomes the defender and the drill continues across the width of the pitch.