Three rugby pass drills for getting the ball away from the breakdown

These rugby pass drills practise the clearing pass: delivering a ball from the ground to a receiver, as a scrum-half does when playing possession away from a breakdown. The aim is a catchable pass that lets the next player keep moving—not simply the longest throw.

Use this coach-led progression with adult club rugby union players, without contact. It suits scrum-halves and anyone who may need to cover that role. For basic catch-and-pass work first, use the four-drill club passing progression.

Set up the session

Allow 20 minutes after your normal warm-up: three minutes of preparation, then five, six and six minutes for the drills. Work in groups of three with one ball and six cones, in a clear area roughly 12 metres wide by 10 metres long. Leave space between groups and room beyond the running lanes to slow down. Stop for pain or loss of control.

Identify the attacking direction. Keep receiving positions behind the ground ball so players rehearse passing backwards rather than throwing towards the opposition try line. Start with easy movement and short passes both ways before practising a few gentle ground passes.

The distances and checkpoints below are suggested coaching targets. Shorten the pass or slow the movement whenever the receiver has to rescue it.

Use three cues

• Set a stable base: bend at the hips and knees. For a pass to the right, place the right foot near the ball; reverse this for a pass left. Place the other foot comfortably apart, pointing towards the receiver.
• Sweep, rather than lift and reload: move the ball from the ground into the pass in one continuous action.
• Finish towards the target: follow through with both hands towards the receiver.

These follow World Rugby’s clearing-pass guidance. Identify the target before setting up, then keep the head over the ball and eyes on it during the sweep. When passing right, the left hand supplies power and the right stabilises the ball; reverse those roles when passing left. Check both directions rather than letting players repeat only their preferred side.

1. Ground pass to a fixed target — five minutes

Setup: Mark a ground-ball position. Put a receiver three metres to one side and one metre behind it. The third player observes, then helps return the ball for the next repetition.

Action: The passer approaches at a walk, establishes their base and sweeps the ball to the receiver’s presented hands. Reset the ball on the mark each time. Make five passes right, mirror the setup for five left, then rotate roles.

Ask the observer to watch one thing: does the ball travel straight into the passing action, or pause at the passer’s waist before being thrown?

Checkpoint: Aim for eight of ten passes caught around chest height without the receiver stepping away from their mark. This is a session target, not a qualification standard. Stay at the same distance if accuracy differs sharply between sides.

Progression: Move the receiver one metre wider only when the pass remains catchable. Do not trade a controlled delivery for a longer, looping throw.

2. Ground pass to a moving receiver — six minutes

Setup: Keep the ground-ball mark. Make a two-cone catching gate three metres to the side and one metre behind the ball. The receiver starts another two metres behind that gate. The third player observes from outside the running lane.

Action: The receiver calls and jogs towards the gate. The passer delivers the ball so it meets the receiver there, rather than aiming at where they started. After catching, the receiver carries forward into clear space, then walks the ball back. Alternate sides and rotate roles regularly.

The receiver should show hands early and watch the ball into them. World Rugby’s receiving guidance emphasises moving onto the ball, reaching towards the passer and keeping fingers spread.

Checkpoint: Look for five consecutive catches on each side with no stop, jump or turn back towards the ball. Count a rescued catch as feedback, not a successful delivery.

Progression: Increase the receiver’s pace before increasing the distance. If timing breaks down, return to a walk and agree the intended catching point again.

3. Choose a receiver, then support — six minutes

Setup: Use one passer and two receivers. Put catching gates three and six metres to the same side of the ball, both one metre behind it. Each receiver starts two metres behind their gate. Reduce the wider distance if necessary.

Action: Before the passer approaches, the coach calls “near” or “wide”. Both receivers move towards their gates; the passer identifies the called player’s target and delivers. This isolates target selection—it is not yet a read of a live defence.

After release, the passer follows into support behind the catcher. The unused receiver also supports, staying out of the catcher’s path. Carry through without contact, walk back and reset. Mirror the layout halfway through and rotate the passing role.

Following the pass into support is also part of World Rugby’s passing key factors.

Checkpoint: Count a repetition only when the correct receiver catches without breaking stride and both support players move behind them. If wide passes repeatedly fail, bring that gate closer rather than asking for more force.

Fix the fault you can see

What happens	Next adjustment
Ball pauses before release	Return to short ground passes; cue “one sweep”.
Pass arrives behind the runner	Reconfirm the catching gate and deliver towards it.
Receiver repeatedly jumps	Shorten the distance and aim at the presented hands.
Passer watches after release	Make moving into support part of every repetition.

Keep these drills non-contact: cones mark a ball position, not a contested ruck. Before adding live breakdown work, have a qualified coach teach the legal access and contact progression separately. The guide to handling the ball after a ruck forms explains why a ball on the ground is not automatically available for anyone to pick up.