OBJECTIVE:

To develop players' awareness of a rugby ball by working on a range of ball handling skills.

EQUIPMENT:

One ball per player.

GROUP SIZE:

Any number.

AREA:

10 x 10 metre grid (adjust the grid size to match the number of players).

DRILL SET-UP:

Players spread themselves evenly around the grid with a ball held in two hands.

DRILL EXPLANATION:

1. Have players familiarise themselves with the ball by passing it a given number of times:
2. Around the head.
3. Around the waist.
4. Around the knees.
5. Around the ankles.
6. In figure eights through the legs.
7. Into the air, taking one step forward and catching it behind the back.
8. Between the legs, leaving the ball in one place and changing the hands rapidly from left at the front, right at back, to left at the back, right at the front.
9. These drills can be done on the run. In addition, the ball can be bounced and recovered on the run.

COACHING POINTS:

• Encourage players to perform skills with no mistakes.
• Players should move to space and avoid confrontation.

VARIATIONS / PROGRESSION:

1. Use medicine balls.
2. Number the activities.
3. Decrease the size of the grid to put more pressure on the players.
4. Increase the speed and intensity of the activities.