Cut it up
SmartSessions Ready made rugby coaching plans
19 NOVEMBER 2008. ISSUE 97
Core Skills
Cut it up
What you tell your players the session is about
1. Developing the switch pass as an effective attacking weapon. 2. Developing your understanding of when to use the switch pass. 3. Improving timing and angles when executing switch passes.
Switch passes, also known as cut passes, should be a natural part of the passing armoury and used by all players. This session uses a simple exercise which can be set up with lots of stations for lots of activity. Players will quickly learn that timing and angles are as important as the pass itself.
Session planner
Warm up 5-7 mins
Session 8-10 mins
Development 5-7 mins
Game 10-15 mins
Warm down 5-7 mins
Activity
Kit
Outcome
Warm up
A ball per group of four
Passing, running and communication
Session: cut it up
Two lines of four cones, 4m wide and each cone 4m in front of the next, one ball per group
Understanding the timing and angles for a switch pass
Same as the main session Development: beating defenders
Game: small-sided conditioned game
Developing the switch pass under pressure from a defender
A 15m square
Beating a defence by choosing when to use the switch pass
What to think about
Where it fits
Player skill: Passing and handling / Decision making / Support play Tactical skill: Attack patterns Other Core Skills Smart Sessions covering this area: 13 Switch on 14 Pop Passing 74 Attack the Space
Click here to download the index
• My players are just running sideways after receiving a switch pass – what can I do? This is a common situation with less experienced players. To them it seems they are running a long way with the ball but actually they are not getting anywhere. Give the runner a target to aim at after he has received the switch pass. Put a ruck pad in front of him so when he gets the ball he has to straighten up to hit the pad. • The players make it too obvious what the move is which means the receiver is always tackled easily. As players improve at the skill they will learn when to give the pass and when to hold the ball and run themselves. By shielding the ball from the opposition when giving the pop pass it is easier to give a convincing dummy pass and run.
Rugby coaching plans you can take straight on to the field
www.rugby-coach.com/sessions/ www.rugby-coach.com/sessions
What you tell your players to do 1. Run straight to fix the defender. 2. Change direction sharply and run across the pitch. 3. Support runner: change direction after the ball carrier and run onto a short pop pass 4. Straighten up and accelerate after receiving the pass.
Cut it up ground covered pass
direction of run
Cut it up
What you get your players to do Two players run up each side of a channel. Halfway to the first cone the ball carrier runs across it diagonally. The support player runs the opposite diagonal and receives a short pop pass as the players cross. Both players straighten up when they reach the other side the repeat the exercise.
What to call out • “Ball carrier: change direction first.
Support player: react to them” • “Support player: accelerate onto the ball” • “Straighten up after the move” • “Soft hands to give the pop pass”
The players have to realign quickly after each switch pass.
Beating defenders
Development Add a defender at each of the cones on one side of the channel. The defender follows the ball carrier as he moves towards the cone, but not the receiver once the pass is made. This creates space for the receiver. The next defender does the same once the new ball carrier runs towards him. Next move the defenders into the middle of the channel, one between each pair of cones marking its top and bottom. The defenders now decide whether to follow the ball carrier or the intended receiver. The defender cannot move until the ball carrier beats the previous defender. Challenge the attackers to beat all three defenders. If they fail they have to start again.
The defender follows the ball carrier and opens up the space for the support runner.
Cut to find gaps
Game situation Four attackers score at the end of the box against three defenders. The defenders only move from side to side and stop the attack with a one handed touch. The attackers only score if the attack includes a switch or dummy move. When a try is scored or an attack is stopped the attackers start again. Give the attackers one minute to score, before swapping players around. Session created by Paul Tyler
Players use at least one switch or dummy to find a gap in the defence and score.
www.rugby-coach.com/sessions/ www.rugby-coach.com/sessions
19 NOVEMBER 2008. ISSUE 97
Core Skills
Cut it up
What you tell your players the session is about
1. Developing the switch pass as an effective attacking weapon. 2. Developing your understanding of when to use the switch pass. 3. Improving timing and angles when executing switch passes.
Switch passes, also known as cut passes, should be a natural part of the passing armoury and used by all players. This session uses a simple exercise which can be set up with lots of stations for lots of activity. Players will quickly learn that timing and angles are as important as the pass itself.
Session planner
Warm up 5-7 mins
Session 8-10 mins
Development 5-7 mins
Game 10-15 mins
Warm down 5-7 mins
Activity
Kit
Outcome
Warm up
A ball per group of four
Passing, running and communication
Session: cut it up
Two lines of four cones, 4m wide and each cone 4m in front of the next, one ball per group
Understanding the timing and angles for a switch pass
Same as the main session Development: beating defenders
Game: small-sided conditioned game
Developing the switch pass under pressure from a defender
A 15m square
Beating a defence by choosing when to use the switch pass
What to think about
Where it fits
Player skill: Passing and handling / Decision making / Support play Tactical skill: Attack patterns Other Core Skills Smart Sessions covering this area: 13 Switch on 14 Pop Passing 74 Attack the Space
Click here to download the index
• My players are just running sideways after receiving a switch pass – what can I do? This is a common situation with less experienced players. To them it seems they are running a long way with the ball but actually they are not getting anywhere. Give the runner a target to aim at after he has received the switch pass. Put a ruck pad in front of him so when he gets the ball he has to straighten up to hit the pad. • The players make it too obvious what the move is which means the receiver is always tackled easily. As players improve at the skill they will learn when to give the pass and when to hold the ball and run themselves. By shielding the ball from the opposition when giving the pop pass it is easier to give a convincing dummy pass and run.
Rugby coaching plans you can take straight on to the field
www.rugby-coach.com/sessions/ www.rugby-coach.com/sessions
What you tell your players to do 1. Run straight to fix the defender. 2. Change direction sharply and run across the pitch. 3. Support runner: change direction after the ball carrier and run onto a short pop pass 4. Straighten up and accelerate after receiving the pass.
Cut it up ground covered pass
direction of run
Cut it up
What you get your players to do Two players run up each side of a channel. Halfway to the first cone the ball carrier runs across it diagonally. The support player runs the opposite diagonal and receives a short pop pass as the players cross. Both players straighten up when they reach the other side the repeat the exercise.
What to call out • “Ball carrier: change direction first.
Support player: react to them” • “Support player: accelerate onto the ball” • “Straighten up after the move” • “Soft hands to give the pop pass”
The players have to realign quickly after each switch pass.
Beating defenders
Development Add a defender at each of the cones on one side of the channel. The defender follows the ball carrier as he moves towards the cone, but not the receiver once the pass is made. This creates space for the receiver. The next defender does the same once the new ball carrier runs towards him. Next move the defenders into the middle of the channel, one between each pair of cones marking its top and bottom. The defenders now decide whether to follow the ball carrier or the intended receiver. The defender cannot move until the ball carrier beats the previous defender. Challenge the attackers to beat all three defenders. If they fail they have to start again.
The defender follows the ball carrier and opens up the space for the support runner.
Cut to find gaps
Game situation Four attackers score at the end of the box against three defenders. The defenders only move from side to side and stop the attack with a one handed touch. The attackers only score if the attack includes a switch or dummy move. When a try is scored or an attack is stopped the attackers start again. Give the attackers one minute to score, before swapping players around. Session created by Paul Tyler
Players use at least one switch or dummy to find a gap in the defence and score.
www.rugby-coach.com/sessions/ www.rugby-coach.com/sessions
