Grip & Carry /

1v1 Grip Battle & Play the Ball 

What code and age are this drill appropriate for?

This drill can be applied to both tag and tackle formats of the game and is suitable for ages 12+

Key coaching points:

• Thumb around the ball, fingers spread
• When playing the ball, grip remains the same

Things to remember when running this drill:

• Focus on the skill, not the drill 
• Allow your players to practice on their dominant and non-dominant side (Bilateral learning)
• Have multiple grids/versions of the drill set up so all players are involved

Modifying the drill into a game or make it more challenging:

• Make it a game between each partner. Player who maintains possession gets a point. First to 5 points, the winner at the end moves on and finds another partner who won their match. The loser finds someone who also lost and that is their new partner
• Use smaller or bigger footballs to make it easier/harder

Grip Stuck in the Mud

What code and age are this drill appropriate for?

This drill can be applied to both tag and tackle formats of the game and is suitable for ages 10+

Key coaching points:

• Thumb around the ball, fingers spread
• Keep moving, personal communication

Things to remember when running this drill:

• Focus on the skill, not the drill
• Allow your players to practice on their dominant and non-dominant side (Bilateral learning)
• Have multiple grids/versions of the drill set up so all players are involved

Modifying the drill into a game or make it more challenging:

• Time the team who is tagging and see how fast they can do it. Record the time and use it as the “time to beat” in future weeks.
• Add more/less taggers or make the box smaller/wider to make it easier/harder

Thumb Around Ball Stripping Game 

What code and age are this drill appropriate for?

This drill can be applied to both tag and tackle formats of the game and is suitable for ages 9+

Key coaching points:

• Thumb around the ball, fingers spread
• Keep moving

Things to remember when running this drill:

• Focus on the skill, not the drill
• Allow your players to practice on their dominant and non-dominant side (Bilateral learning)
• Have multiple grids/versions of the drill set up so all players are involved

Modifying the drill into a game or make it more challenging:

• Add 2 footballs to each player, so they can’t fend and protect the football
• Add more/less taggers/strippers or make the box smaller/wider to make it easier/harder

Catch Carry into 2 Step Play the Ball 

What code and age are this drill appropriate for?

This drill can be applied to both tag and tackle formats of the game and is suitable for ages 6+. For league tag format, have live taggers instead of hit shields.

Key coaching points:

• Thumb around the ball
• Fingers spread
• Play the ball with foot

Things to remember when running this drill:

• Focus on the skill, not the drill
• Allow your players to practice on their dominant and non-dominant side (Bilateral learning)
• Have multiple grids/versions of the drill set up so all players are involved

Modifying the drill into a game or make it more challenging:

• Have 2 grids/stations set up. Have 2 teams, one team at the front of each grid ready to race. All players must go through, and the first team to get back to the start of their line wins. If there is an incorrect grip or play the ball, then that team automatically loses that point.

Click here to add this drill to your own blank session plan.

Contact the CRRL coach developer for more help and ideas: Liam Herbert – lherbert@raiders.com.au