Training Drills: HandlingHere are some drills that I facilitate with Eckerd and FRU HPP that address handling the ball. The primary objectives of these drills are to address:

Passing Receiving Pacing Proximity Vision Recognition (of defense and/or available offensive options) Decision making Communication Proper execution of technique

I work with a gradual release approach. That means that we will work on the simple drills first, in order to gain confidence as well as address proper technique. As we move to additional drills, the intent is to build upon the principles surrounding the early drills and have them evolve into more complex and demanding operations.

The goal is to get players to execute the proper technique instinctually in order to eliminate the delay caused by the intellectual process of “trying to do things right.”

Key:

Purple: Setup of grid/drill

Red: Principles of drill, reasoning behind drill, and things to look out for

Black: Directions of drill

Blue: Progression of drill

Four Corners Progression

10m v 10m Grid, even number of players on each cone, single file facing inward

This is a progression of small techniques to get the body warmed up to perform simple tasks:

1. Post at feet: a. Ball on Red and Black, run across, post 1m in front of opposite cone

i. practice posting to left/right/between legsb. opposite runner steps over ball, picks up with two hands, and runs across posting ball 1m in front of

opposite cone (also altering left/right/center)2. Post in middle: Same as above, but ball is now posted just beyond midway—allowing for quick pick-up and

quick post, keeping head up seeing where traffic is coming from3. Ball in gut (at cone):

a. Ball on Red and Black, run across, place ball firmly in gut (no pops, no reaching receivers) at cone4. Ball in gut (in middle):

a. Same as above but now meeting in middle, ball goes in gut, with a seal before releasing and running across to other side (preps for maul and strips)

5. Pop pass (at cone):a. Ball on Red and Black, run across and pop (floating pass) to player on opposite coneb. Receiver catches ball with two hands, runs across and pops to opposite playerc. Wrinkle: player cuts to opposite side of opposite player (receives from left, runs across, cuts/sidestep

left, passes right)6. Pop pass (in middle):

a. Same as above; increased traffic causes player to concentrate on receiving and making quick decisions with the ball

7. Run Left, Pass Right:a. Ball on Black and Greenb. Ball carriers run to middle (left of center) and pass to right cone

i. Black passes to Blue; Green passes to Redii. This causes players to spot target, preload ball/hips, open and drive hips w/pass

8. Run Right, Pass Left:a. Same as above, but pass in other direction

9. Long, Short, Long (clockwise)a. Ball on one cone (Black), pass to cone on left (Red)b. Follow pass to Redc. Receive short pass from Redd. Long pass to Green (meanwhile, Red is running for short pass from Green, then passes to blue)e. Get at end of Green linef. Red gets pop pass from Green (Green now follows, gets short pass from Blue, then passes to Black)g. Red makes long pass to Blue…

10. Long, Short, Long (counter-clockwise)a. Add multiple balls (one, then two on opposite sides, then four)

Channel Drill:

Channel is 5m x 50m, Cones are every 10m

12 players on cones making channel (In Green: six with balls—red oval; six on opposite side)

The purpose of this drill is to work on quick transfer of ball, using proper technique (see below)

12 players in line preparing to run down channel (Black circles)

1. Runner runs down channel straight2. Looks at channel passer with hands out3. Receives pass (keeping ball on receiving side of body)4. Looks to opposite channel receiver, spots target5. Transfers ball across body to channel receiver6. Looks at channel passer with hands out7. Receives pass (keeping ball on receiving side of body)…

Once all channel players have gone down drill passing one way (right to left), have them pass in the other direction.

Once that is done, switch channel players to be the runners and the runners be the channel players.

Progression: A variety of this is to mix the balls up on various sides of the channels; this makes the drill more unpredictable for the runner. With this wrinkle, maybe only have four/five in the channel

Progression: You can also alter the size of the channel:

1. More narrow/wide makes the transfer easier/difficult2. More short the channel is (compressing gap of each cone), the quicker the transfer has to be

The purpose of this drill is to work on the following skills:

1. Good receiving technique (spot passer, hands out, call for ball)2. Good passing technique (spot receiver, transfer ball across, using hips, follow through with arms)3. Quick transfer from receiving/passing using economy of motion

Six Lines:

This is a drill that Mike Friday taught me and it works wonders with getting players to do the following:

1. Run forward and straight2. Spotting target before passing3. Cock the ball (prepare for pass)4. Pass the ball5. Follow the pass6. Receivers: Look where the pass is coming from

Six lines on six cones all facing out. Ball starts with first line on far left.

1. Player on first cone with ball, runs forward 5-7m (indicated by black line)2. Passes right (grey line)3. Runs right, to back of next line (red line)4. Player on second cone (from far left) runs forward 5-7m…

When the ball gets to the far right line, that player does the following:

1. Player runs forward (black line)2. Passes left (grey line)3. Runs left, to back of next line (orange line)4. Player on the second cone (from far right) runs forward 5-7m…

Progression: Then the drill progresses by adding a second (third or fourth) ball—usually on opposite ends of the grid

Multiple balls is what this drill is all about: making decisions quickly by spotting targets, seeing if the receiver is ready, distributing the ball successfully, and then supporting the pass.

This is an excellent drill that really warms up the decision making facet of ball handling

Near-Far

Use the 50m x 10m narrow channel and the 50m x 30 wide channel

Groups of four, one ball per group

The purpose of this drill is to transition from tight diamond formation (linear support) to a dynamic wide formation (lateral support).

First Phase: The linear support involves passing the ball to the inside every time, working the ball down the narrow channel, always recycling the attackers coming forward through the diamond formation (support to the left, right and behind).

At the end of the first phase, the player posts the ball (indicated by the X) and all players run around end cone

Second Phase: The players turn the corner and fill the backline, angled and 10m apart (using the entire 30m space). Pass down the hands all the way to the end. The end player then passes the ball all the way down to the line in the opposite way.

To keep things moving, once the first tight group travels down the narrow channel and posts the ball, the second tight group can begin. If all goes well, a team could have 3-4 groups working the drill at one time.

Progression:

1. As the backline forms, you could include moves from the Waikato drill or team backline plays (2 phases)

Waikatos:

50m x 30m (or 30 to 40m) Channel; indicated by cones (numbered circles here)

Four lines at one end, going out, staggered at 45 degree angle

Ball at right or left #5 cone (make sure you practice passing down left and right)

Sequence of passing drills:

1. Hands out; hands back2. Miss two, two loop to end; hands back3. Miss three, three loop to end; hands back4. Miss two, three pass back to two, miss three; hands back5. Three-Four switch; One-Two switch6. Hands, all loop continuous

Progression:

1. Have ball on cones #5, #3 and #12. First runner runs to #5, and passes ball to backline (as if SH)3. Last runner in line posts ball at nearby #4, runs to #3 and passes ball to backline (as if SH)4. Last runner posts ball at nearby #2, runs to #1 and passes ball to backline (as if SH)

The Waikato drills are a set of NZ drills that their national team does regularly (as observed in my IRB certification training). It helps players practice skills in more space (compared to the earlier drills) with more running involved. This set of drills will point out some major flaws in technique:

1. Inaccurate longer passes2. Slower ball down the line3. Not running straight and maintaining spatial discipline

Handling With Contact

50m x 10m Channel

Four defenders with hit pads (orange ovals), staggered right-left-right-left every 7-10m down channel

Balls placed on #5 cone with SH

Players in pods of four (inside channel and outside channel), in diamond formation (head, right, left and behind)

The purpose of this drill is to work on handling the ball going to ground as well as passing the ball from ground

Going to ground with the ball requires multiple steps for clean ball:

1. Head will direct direction of the next pass2. Go into contact at the defender’s thighs (power step as close to the instep of defender as possible)3. When going to ground, remember this sequence:

a. Power stepb. Kneesc. Hipsd. Shoulderse. Post

4. That should present good structure for clearing and sealing as well as a good pocket for the SH/DH to pass

The initial drills should just have players running into the hit pads, with ball, using the presentation sequence

Once you are ready to run pods, this is how the drill works:

1. SH @#5 cone passes ball to oncoming pod (does not pass ball if pod is not moving first)2. Lead runner hits pad @#4 cone—head is left and feet are right

a. #2 clears defender (pad)b. #3 seals onto runner who is now on the deckc. #4 stands over ball, looks back at pod, smacks left hip (indicating pod to run), passes ball to second pod

3. Lead runner hits pad @ #3 cone—head is right and feet are lefta. #2 clears defender (pad)b. #3 seals onto runner who is now on the deckc. #4 stands over ball, looks back at first pod, smacks right hip (indicating pod to run, passes ball…

Most teams do this drill. However, the attention to detail and implementing protocols helps with the handling. Here are some general notes:

1. Everyone is a scrum-half, therefore everyone must learn to pass like a scrum-half2. Look at defense, then look at offensive set3. Indicate to your offensive pod when/where you want them to run4. Pass laterally, not back at an idle attacker5. Economize your motions, then do it over and over and over again so it is natural

Handling With Contact…Continued

You can do the same drill with mauls. Maybe, instead of having the channel be 20m wide, you could make it 10m wide.

Also, when the maul moves 5-10m, then pass it out to the next pod and maul.

Important details about mauling and retaining possession:

1. Power step into contact (step into the instep of the defender)2. Extend arm into chest of defender3. Body between defender and ball4. Present ball for first supporter to seal5. Grab sealer on back or back of shorts to lock in the seal6. Two binders come in on sides to widen the gate and seal fringes7. Sealer sets ball on hip for SH/DH to now take ball for distribution or train

Repeating the process of coming into a maul is vital to move players from thinking about what to do and moving them to working on an instinctual level. Getting them to simply slot into the correct places will help maintain possession and provide clean ball for better passing/handling.

Cutback With Defender:

Small Grid: 20m x 20m

Line of defenders with ball facing line of attackers waiting to receive

1. Defender passes ball to first attacker2. Attacker runs hard outside line3. Defender takes lateral pursuit4. Attacker tries to turn corner or cuts in (depending on defender’s hips)

Progression: Add Second Attacker

1. Same sequence, but first attacker runs wide line to committ defender2. Second attacker takes an inside line at depth to get pass back inside from first attacker

2v1 & 3v2

Here is an easy drill that will help attacking players work on the following elements:

1. Handling2. Vision3. Spacing4. Manipulation of defense5. Decision making

30m x 20m Grid

Two lines facing grid: Line of defeneders, line of attackers

Each defender has ball

To execute the drill, players do the following:

1. First defender pops the ball to the first attacker2. Defender runs around end cone3. Attacker with ball and supporting attacker run around end cone4. Attacker with ball moves within the grid to manipulate defender, support attacker moves into empty space5. Defender marks attacker with ball6. Attacker with ball passes to support attacker into space

Things to watch out for:

1. Attacker passing too early/latea. Early: Defender can slide off and defend the support playerb. Late: Bad pass easily defended or intercepted

2. Attackers not using entire space (running in the middle of channel making defender’s job easy)3. Attacker not manipulating defender4. Attacker not using proper passing technique (drilled previously)5. Support attacker being too flat

Progression:

1. Add a third attacker and second defendera. First defender mark attacker with ball (1v3)b. Have second defender stay back for second phase (second attacker w/ball; 1v2-1

Working off of #9

This will address the following:

1. Passing of #9 (identified as #1 in diagram) and catching of rushing attack players2. Communication of #9 to various receivers3. Handling around the ruck4. Decision making for #9 (Near: slow, 4 man ruck; Middle: quick, 2 man ruck; Far: Backs, 2 v 1)5. 2 v 1 for outside attack (backs)

50m x 30m grid

Three defenders with pads

Nine attackers (one scrumhalf, four from the tight five; two back row; two backs)

Similar to the Handling in Contact drill, we start out with three options:

1. Near, pod of four2. Middle, pod of two3. Far, backs of two (or more if you want more space)

The #9 indicates the near pod (red) to run by smacking left hip, pop pass to near pod

1. Hit pad, go to deck2. Clear3. Two man seal4. #9 accesses ball and examines defense (progression: have 2nd/3rd defender move forward/back—The defender

that is back indicates where to attack with next phase—pad could turn around, raise hand, or other indicator)

Then, #9 has two options:

1. Near, quick pod (orange)2. Far, backline (green)

#9 indicates which group that will get ball (name each option)

1. Near: #9 smacks left hip once: Near pod, hit pad, seal, #9 pass to backs2. Far: #9 smaks left hip twice: Near pod runs through, #9 passes behind near pod to backs, backs 2v1 outside

Progression: Have 4 backs work on rucking/mauling outside—go into contact, ruck and have first pod attack back inside

Working off of #10 (With Forward Pod and Stacked #12/#13)

This will address the following:

1. Passing of #9 and #10 (#9 identified as #1 in diagram, #10 is Blue star) and catching of rushing attack players2. Communication of #10 to various receivers3. Handling around the ruck4. Decision making for #10 (Front back = Passive slide defense; Behind back = Blitz defense)5. 1 v 1 or 2 v 1 for outside attack (backs)

Same grid setup as Working off of #9

Two Defenders with pads

Six attackers (one #9 (Red), one #10 (blue), two forwards (orange), 2+ backs (green))

First Phase: #9 passes to #10 and follows the pass (behind #10 to outside pod)

#10 passes to outside pod of two (for quick ruck, and #9 will distribute for second phase) and gets into standoff position

Second Phase: #10 passes to backline (stacked). Two decisions:

1. If defense is passive (drift), pass to front back (#12)2. If defense is aggressive (blitz), pass to behind back (#13)

Progression: You can do this drill with #12 and have #13 and #15 stacked as well (need a 4 th outside defender for that)

15 Key Principles That Address Handling Success:

Demand Excellence: Strive for perfection for yourself and for your teammates. Improve every practice/game.

Everyone plays every position: Skill levels have to be as good as the best player on the team. Also, everybody should know where every teammate should be. If a role needs to be filled, and you are the closest person to do it, then execute the role for your teammate. Fluidity is key.

Understand the game plan: Not just what it is, but how it works and how to manipulate the defense into doing what will help the gameplan be successful.

Know your role: Be aware of where you fit in the small/large picture. What do you need to do? Why do you need to do it? What can you do to be the most effective in that situation? Knowing that and operating within the responsibilities of that particular role, helps with communication, continuity and team effectiveness.

Know everyone else’s role: Be aware of how others fit with you (small pods, forwards/backs, team). At any moment you may need to step in and fill a role that someone else cannot do at a specific moment. Knowing everyone’s purpose helps with communication and team effectiveness.

Communication is key: You need to constantly communicate with your teammates as to what you are doing or what you want your teammates to do. Communicating verbally or non-verbally begins the passing process.

Economy of motion: Know what to do and where to go. No excess movement in your technique (whether passing or simply navigating field play).

Keep things simple: There is no reason to go outside the perameters of your training. Don’t do anything that your teammates are unprepared for. Going rogue keeps your teammates guessing and keeps the entire team away from the gameplan, thus diminishing individual and team success.

Do things right, not rushed: Perfect the simple things, then quicken the correct technique without losing proper form

Repetition is key: If you do things correctly repeatedly in practice, the thinking process goes away and instinct takes over. That quickens the game as you evolve in practice as well as during a match. To do this, you need to do the same thing correctly every time!

Practice how you play in a game: If you don’t practice it, or practice it well, things won’t be different in a game

Read the field: Before making a decision, one must first see the opposition, recognize what they are giving you, which will influence you decision making (take what they give, manipulate so they give you what you want).

Gain offensive confidence off of defensive pressure: If you make your opposition play pressured, intimidated or rushed, you will gain confidence, win more ball, find yourself going forward in attack more often. This will equate to better passes and more on-field authority.

Know why: Whether it involves skills, drills, decision making or the game plan, know why you are doing what you are being directed to do. Understand the concepts and reasons for doing these things. Once you understand the “why” work towards having those things live within you so the thinking process (which creates a delay) is reduced to instinct (which makes your decision making and play quicker—more difficult to defend).

Have Fun: Celebrate your success! Improve your skills and build upon your success and others’ as well.