Within this section you will find a number of Contact drills. These drills are designed to improve your teams ability and physicality within this area. Drills vary from basic level to advanced level and are designed to challenge your players.
Drills covered within this section mainly look at the ruck and the maul. Most can be adapted to cover both.
- Identify a weak area to hit / take contact - Focus on identified area - Keep chin off the chest and eyes open - Keep back / spine parallel to floor. - Ball carrier to take contact on own terms - Good footwork before contact.(short steps) - Move the defender with the use of good footwork - Take a big step into contact - Front foot close to defenders base (feet) - Keep ball on hip away from opposition - Feet shoulder width apart for stability - Ball carrier takes contact with floor with ball in two hands - Present ball with two hands - Good body position on the floor (Parallel to goal line) - Communication by support players telling the ball carrier what to do. Example, go to ground. - Ball carrier must listen to support players communication.
Common Errors in Contact
- Leading with ball first - Body positioning - too upright, shoulders below hips - Weak footwork into contact - Positioning of head - too low - Eyes closed - Positioning of ball - Failure to turn - Taking contact with the center of the defender - Too frontal on contact
Remember to provide a variety of activities that will keep your audience focused and interested.
