OBJECTIVE:

To utilize a numbers of players in contact situations to retain possession.

EQUIPMENT:

One ball between groups.

GROUP SIZE:

4–8 players.

AREA:

15m x 50m.

DRILL EXPLANATION:

The following drills are all variations on the same pattern. The pattern is as follows:

1. The first player runs out 10 meters, places the ball, runs another five metres, turns and becomes a defender.
2. The remaining players perform the designated skill against the defender and then the player who ends up with the ball after the skill is performed runs five metres ahead, places the ball, continues on and becomes the new defender.
3. The original defender then rejoins the attacking group who again performs the required skill against the new defender.
4. The pattern continues for the length of the grid.

COACHING POINTS:

• Ensure players’ understanding of required drill and roles within drill.
• Attacking players create space for support. Must be immediate.
• Support must be immediate.

VARIATIONS / PROGRESSION:

1. Player A places the ball, runs out 10 meters and becomes the defender. Player B picks up, runs towards A, commits the player and passes to C. Player C receives the pass, runs through and places the ball and becomes the defender. Player A joins the attackers.
2. Player D picks up the ball. The drill continues.
3. Player A places the ball, runs out 10 meters, places and becomes the defender. Player B picks up, runs into Player A and recoils. Player C rips and passes to Player D who runs 10 meters, places and becomes the defender. The drill continues.
4. Player A places the ball, runs out 10 meters and becomes the defender. Player B picks up the ball, runs into Player A and hits, and drives then drops before placing the ball. Player C steps over, picks up, passes the ball to Player D who runs five meters, places and becomes the new defender.
5. This drill is the same as No 2 above except that instead of a simple rip and pass, two blocks are incorporated. As a result, a mini-maul is formed with the ripper passing to the 6th player who places and becomes the defender.
6. This drill is similar to No 3 above except that the defender, after having the initial ball-carrier drive into him and drop, is taken out by the next two attacking players. The next player in, steps over the ball and passes to the final player who runs on, places the ball and becomes the defender.
7. This drill is the same as No 4 except that two more passes are incorporated into the pattern. Thus the mini-maul is set and the remaining players form a mini-backline. The ball is passed along it with the last pass being a switch pass or a pop-pass back inside. The receiver of this pass runs on, places the ball and becomes the defender.
8. This drill is the same as No 5 except that two more passes are incorporated into the pattern. This means that after the mini-ruck is performed, the remaining players form a mini-backline that passes laterally until the last pass. The last pass is then a switch pass or a pop-pass inside. The receiver of this pass runs on, places the ball and becomes the defender.