1. Improving your spatial awareness in attack. 2. Improving your evasion skills. 3. Improving your handling ability.
Game-related skills are more likely to be discovered by playing games. Here is one such game which can be used as a warm up session as well as a full session. Players will learn successful ways to evade defenders and pass to free players. The session also involves two exercises to revise the key areas.
Session planner
Warm up 7-10 mins
Session 20-25 mins
Development 10-15 mins
Game 10-15 mins
Warm down 7-10 mins
Activity
Kit
Outcome
Warm up
Markers and balls
Preparing players for fast explosive running and passing
Session: catch me if you can
A 20m wide by 25m long area, with a prison and a scoring area. Eight balls
Improving the handling, support and running ability of the players
Development: catch me if you can advanced
As the main session
Developing players by adding more pressure
Game: conditioned small-side game
A 20m wide by 40m pitch
Practising the skill in a conditioned game
What to think about
Where it fits
Player skill: Footwork & evasion / Passing & handling Tactical skill: Attack patterns Other Core Skills Smart Sessions covering this area: 27 The great escape 32 Finding space 39 Change the pace 45 Habana magic 65 Side step feet
• Are the players using evasion running skills to get the balls into the scoring area? The players may try to run straight for the scoring area, and therefore become easy targets for the defence. Go back to simple side steps and swerving practices, before repeating the “catch me if you can” session. • Do the players use any type of team work to ensure success? Encourage clear concise communication and give the players time to work out a strategy before starting each attack. A small handling practice can be set up to remind players of the skills.
89 Pirates Click here to download the index Rugby coaching plans you can take straight on to the field
What you tell your players to do 1. Collect a ball and move towards the scoring area by evading the defenders. 2. Pass the ball to a team mate if you think you may be caught. 3. Try to free any of your team mates that get caught and are in the “prison”. 4. Look for space and free players, while keeping the defenders in view.
Catch me if you can ground covered direction of run
pass
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Catch me if you can PRISON
What you get your players to do Split your squad into eight attackers and four defenders. On your signal the attackers have to move into the box, collect a ball and try to get as many of the balls into the scoring area. The ball can be passed. The defenders move into the area at the same time and try to touch tackle the attackers. If caught, the attacker places his ball on the ground and goes to the prison area. He can be released by another attacker tagging him with a ball. The game continues until all the balls are in the scoring area or all the attackers are in the prison.
SCORING AREA
Eight attackers and four defenders play out the “catch me if you can” game.
Evasion revision
What to call out • “React quickly and find a ball” • “Find the space, look for gaps” • “Side step, swerve and accelerate” • “Make a choice – pass or run” • “Pass and move”
Development • Use a stop watch to see how long it takes the
group to get all the balls into the scoring area. • Add more defenders to add more pressure on the attack. • Nominate four attackers and defenders to swap sides during the game. • Vary the position of the scoring area and prison.
Go back to a sidestep or swerving practice if you feel the players’ evasion skills need work.
Passing revision
Game situation Play a game of six versus six and give the attacking team two balls. Strategically the attack should split themselves into two groups as should the defence, the decision making and spatial awareness will become apparent as the game develops. Once a try is scored everyone focuses on the remaining ball. Start with touch rugby before developing into full contact.
Session created by Colin Ireland
A 3 v 1 passing game is good for finding space and awareness of support players and the defender.