The core Skills of Rugby League for training and coaching from Rugby League Coaching

Rugby League Core Skills

So what are the core skills of Rugby League? Grip and Carry, Passing, Play the ball, Tackling. In the following page we go through those core skills to give you a head start.

GRIPPING THE BALL

The standard 2 handed Grip

This is the way that a player will hold the ball majority of the time. Thumbs spread greater than right angles and fingers spread out.
The palm should be arched so that only tips of the fingers are contacting the ball.
The grip is on the centre of the ball
Elbows spread out.

The standard 2 handed Grip

This is just an extra image which shows the spread of the fingers in the two handed carry.

The single handed grip

This is used when you are looking to fend (Handoff) your defender or looking to offload in a tackle.

Same principles apply, fingers and thumbs spread with the palm arched.

CARRYING THE BALL

The two handed carry

The ball is carried using the grip as described above. Elbows are spread and the ball is carried in the centre of the chest.

The one handed carry

Similar to the two handed carry the ball is compressed into the chest with a single handed grip. Elbow pointing out.

This is used to allow you freedom with the other hand to fend off.

PASSING AND CATCHING

The pass

This obviously follows a carry, the foot furthest away from the direction you are going to pass, Drop the ball to the 6 o' clock position twist hips and shoulders and finally look before passing.

The Catch

Fingers and thumbs spread up and placed in front of the area below your chin. Rotate the shoulders to receive a pass.

PASSING THE BALL OFF THE FLOOR

Approach

Foot furthest away from the target in line with the ball, the other foot at right angles pointing at the target.

The Pass

Scan where you are passing too, sit low, head and shoulders pointing towards the target.

PLAY THE BALL (Snap, Sweep, Touch)

	Player on his back This simulates playing the ball from a tackled position.
	Roll to the ball Wherever the ball is roll towards it to protect it and reduce the risk of knocking on.
	Snap Snap both of the knees up
	Sweep Sweep the trailing leg up and push the ball back
	Play the ball Once the ball is played stay alive and look to get in position for the next play.

FRONT DRIVE TACKLE

	The Approach In a position where you can get your shoulder under the ball, knees bet, sit into the tackle
	Contact Drive up from the sitting position under the ball, Free hand lifts the leg to take the player off balance.
	Contact Same stage as above just from the opposite angle. Tuck your head in nice and tight and always look up.
	Finish on top Finish on top of the tackled player and keep your weight on.
	Unload to marker When unloading from the tackle, always keep a little pressure on your opponent to slow them getting to their feet
	Alive and Ready for action Once you have unloaded and are back at marker, get on your tiptoes and get ready to work again.