Box drills to build close game skills

Boxes are one of the most simple and effective training tools to develop your close game skills. They are excellent for developing short passing skills, close contact skills, rucking technique and support play.The following box drill is a great way to start to build all these skills.

Getting the best out of your boxes

You should mix box work with other skills, exercises and games. Keep periods of work short but insist on maximum effort from the players.

The key points to remember are:

Vary the size of the box depending on the skills you are developing.
Ensure players stay within the box at all times.
Position yourself so you can see the whole box.
Constantly encourage players to keep their heads up and look where they are going.
Encourage players to regularly change direction as they move round the box.
Insist on constant communication by all players.

box guid

Favourite box drills

“Truck and Trailer”

Players start in pairs, one behind the other without a ball. The player in front (the “truck”) runs around avoiding contact, constantly changing direction and speed. The player behind (the “trailer”) has to follow as closely as possible without bumping into the “truck”.

Introduce a ball to the “truck”. When you shout “CHANGE” they have to pop pass the ball to the “trailer”. Vary the ways of transferring the ball: over the head, through the legs, over the shoulder pass, set and rip.

Increase to groups of three. On your call, the “truck” has to find another “truck” to bump into while staying strong on their feet. The “trailer” rips the ball and pops it to the third player and they continue. Progress so the “truck” hits another “truck” and falls to the ground. The “trailer” steps over and the last player picks the ball out and sets off running.