The ‘2 v 1’ rugby training drill is a popular and regualrly practiced skill drill with players of all ages. Used to develop players passing skills under pressure as well as timing of the pass.
The Buzzball is an almost perfect training aid within this type of skill drill, where the ‘buzz’ of the ball will help them develop and improve their timing of the pass as well as their deliver when confronted by an oncoming defender.
As mentioned above the 2 v 1 can be performed with all age groups including mini rugby players, junior rugby players, youth level as well as seniors.
‘2 v 1’ Rugby Passing Skills Drill Using the Buzzball
Key Learning Objectives
- Help players become more pass aware when confronting by a defender
- Develop the timing of a pass as a player approaches the defender.
- Ensuring the pass is lateral/back and not forward.
- Develop the ‘basic’ lateral pass off both left hand and right hand.
- Correct hand positions on the ball to execute an effective, accurate pass
- Receiver offering a target to the passer i.e. hands positioned at chest height slightly away from the body.
- Receiver communicates clearly with the passer that they are ready to receive the pass
Drill Diagnostics- How Does This Drill Work?
- 2 attackers have to beat 1 defender by executing a basic lateral pass to the support runner
- Defender will stand facing the attackers 10 meters away
- Ball carrier runs forward toward defender to engage (draw) at such time the coach will vibrate of the Buzzball to signal when to deliver a short lateral pass to the supporting player
Coaching Points
Ball Carrier
- Ball carrier holds the ball in two hands at all times
- Ball carrier runs at pace at the inside shoulder of the defender (i.e. opposite shoulder to the direction of where the pass is being delivered, in order to engage (fix) so as to create an overlap for the supporting player
- As the defender approaches the ball carrier, the coach will vibrate the ball to signal when to pass. This will help develop the players pass awareness and timing of a pass as they approach a defender
- Ensure the pass is lateral/back and not forward
- Execute a sharp accurate pass into the space out side for the supporting player to run on to at pace
Support Player
- Prior to the ball carrier passing the ball, maintain depth in order to accelerate onto the ball
- Offer a target to the passer i.e. hands positioned at chest height reaching out towards the ball carrier
- Comminicate with the ball carrier of where you are
- Accelerate onto the pass to prevent the defender having time to slide off the ball carrier and defend the outside space
Drill Summary
- The ultimate goal in attack is to create overlaps (creating space through an extra man situation), and exploit that overlap to gain territory and/or score tries. This is essentially the 2 v 1 situation i.e. 2 attackers versus 1 defender
- Having the ability to capitalise on these 2 v 1 situation is a key fundamental skill for players to develop
- Ball carrier must run at speed to engage (fix) the defender
- As the ball carrier approaches the defender, the coach will vibrate the Buzzball to signal when to pass. This will help the player to understand the correct timing of when to deliver the pass
- Prior to the ball carrier passing the ball, ensure support player maintains depth in order to accelerate onto the ball
- Support player offers a target to the passer i.e. hands positioned at chest height reaching out towards the ball carrier
- Ball carrier delivers a crisp, accurate pass in the space in front of the support player
- Stress the importance of the support player accelerating onto the pass to prevent the defender having time to slide off the ball carrier and defend the outside space
- Ensure players practice passing off both right and left hands
