Skill - Catching (Garryowen)

Set Up:

Player props up against goal post/scrummaging machine.
Place 4 yellow markers (2ft x 1ft rectangle) where the LH prop's shoulders would be.
Place 2 red markers where channel 1 would be i.e. between Flanker & LHS 2nd row.
Place 2 white markers where LHS 2nd rows feet would be ie. channel 2.
Place 2 blue markers where RHS Locks feet would be ie. channel 3.

Key Factors:

• Early positions under ball
• Eyes always on ball
• Hands extend to meet ball
• Elbows close to body
• Bend knees after receiving ball
• Turn side-on when catching ball

Assessment:

• Count number of successful catches out of 10.

Overload:

Kicker receives the ball from a SH who then in turn pressurize the kicker.

Skill - Falling forward onto ball & playing to support

Drill:

Player "A" runs out to marker & falls forward onto ball. "A" secures ball & plays it immediately to support player "B". "B" runs on & places ball at next marker Y & joins other side with "A". Player "C" returns & falls onto ball at first marker & is supported by "D" etc.

Key Factors:

• Reach for ball with both hands & keep elbows close to body
• Keep back to opposition, play ball softly into path of support player, get up quickly
• Clear early communication
• Turn towards support

Development:

Player B rolls ball out for "A" to retrieve as usual, having received the ball player B runs on to the next marker, stops and pops to "A" at marker Y. "A" passes to "D" who rolls it out for "C" to receive etc.

Groups:

Minimum of 6 players.

Skill - Peripheral Vision

Set Up:

2 feeders A & B, 1 player working (X) & using 2 balls.

"X" throws ball up, "A" passes 2nd ball to X who catches & passes to B, X then catches original ball & throws it up again, while B passes the 2nd ball back to X who passes it on to A & then catches original ball again -(repeat 1 min.).

Key Factors:

• Correct toss up by X, using peripheral vision sight incoming pass from A & distribute to B, while still keeping "half an eye" on original ball

Assessment:

• Count the number of successful passes i.e. A to X to B while still catching original ball

Overload:

Increase number of players in the drill (e.g. 2 players X & Y attempt to throw, receive, pass and catch side by side.

Skill - Stepping / Bridging & picking the ball

Drill:

Player "A" runs out, bridges over the tackle-bag, and picks the ball & places on the other side. Player "A" then continues to the opposite side. Player "B" leaves as soon as player "A" touches the ball.

Key Factors:

• Low Body position
• Wide base
• Quick hands

Variation:

Player "A" reaches over with both hands & scopes the ball over to his side,
Then continues onto Player 2B".

Groups:

No greater than 6 players.

Skill - Tackling & controlling the ball in tackle, defender winning

Drill:

Player "A" tackles player "B" (ball carrier). Player "B" controls the ball & places it correctly. Player "X" picks up the ball (approaching from the opposite corner) & continues to player "C" [who repeats]. Player "B" (initial ball carrier) remains as next tackler. Original tackler "A" continues on [i.e. A join Y].

Key Factors:

• Tackler (usual)
• Ball carrier (usual)
• Picking up -defender approaches side-on, steps in behind the tackled ball carrier & picks up ball

Variation:

• Ball carrier evasion (intensity)

Groups:

Minimum of 5 players.

Skill - Tackling and controlling the ball in tackle, defender winning the ball

Drill:

Player 'A' tackles player 'B' (ball carrier). Player 'B' controls the ball & places it correctly. Player 'C' picks up the ball & continues to player 'D' [D&E return]. Player 'B' (initial ball carrier) remains as the next tackler. Original tackler continues on. [i.e. A joins behind x and y]

Key Factors:

• Tackler (usual)
• Ball carrier (usual)
• Picking up (usual)

Variations:

• Ball carrier evasion (intensity)
• Ball carrier pops ball up to support player before tackle is completed

Groups:

Minimum of 7 players.