Offloads A

Written By William Coupar

TIP: We recommend reading Minis Curriculum, Session Planning & Design and Coaching Skills & STEP prior to this sample session. Pitch sizes and teams sizes below adjustable to group sizes/training space.

SESSION FOCUS: Concentrate on good offload technique, ‘winning’ the contact and decision-making throughout session for age-and-stage (See Curriculum)

0-15 mins - Coaches choice of Activation games

15-45 mins - Zone Circuit, Groups of 8-10 with 10 mins per zone (Add additional games and session time if larger groups)

ZONE 1 - BARBARIANS

Session Focus Points:

  • Highlight use of the offload to attack space around tackle/touch and make line break.

  • Possible Conditions: 2 touch turnover to encourage support/swift offloads, ‘Wallace Ball’ over/underloads.

  • STEP: Change pitch size and make it ‘offloads only’

ZONE 2 - BANNOCKBURN (AKA MISH MADNESS)

Session Focus Points:

  • Highlight use of the offload to attack space around tackle/touch and gain ground while defense drops off.

  • Possible Conditions: Time limits on offloads, everyone must touch/receive offload before try.

  • STEP: Use different balls, adjust dimensions or scoring zone (multi-direction), attacker drop and pop when tackled.

ZONE 3 - Skills & Technique

Skill Activity (7 mins): The Tunnel

Setup a narrow tunnel-like grid with maybe 3-4 5x5m sections. 1 defender in each grid and attackers line up in groups of 2-3 to go through the tunnel. Defenders to stay in their grid and attackers to offload to the next person, if touched/tackled by defender. Complete grid and return to start to repeat. Rotate defenders as appropriate.

PROGRESSIONS: Increase contact level by introducing shields.

Technique Activity (3 mins): 2v1 Offload Offloads

Setup a small square grid (4 cones, 5x5m) with 3 players in the grid, 1 defender. Aim of the game is for the defender to try and get the attacker with the ball outside the grid (age and stage appropriate contact level - make it difficult, no full-on tackling) while attackers offload to each other around him to keep the ball in the grid - similar to the below video. Rotate roles in the time. Make enough grids to minimise inactive players (prob 2 or 3).

45-60 mins - Rugby Games, Stay in Groups and use Zones as pitches (Round Robin if time allows)

William Coupar
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Offloads B