Rugby Techniques: Simple Tips to Up Your Game

Want to play better rugby without spending hours watching videos? You’re in the right spot. Below you’ll find easy‑to‑use techniques that work on any level, from school teams to weekend leagues.

Fundamental Skills

Passing. Good passes start with the hands. Keep your elbows in, point your thumbs toward the target, and snap with your wrist. A quick glance at your teammate’s feet helps you choose the right angle. Practice short passes in a circle first, then add distance. If the ball wobbles, reduce the force and focus on a clean release.

Tackling. Safety comes first. Aim to tackle low, around the hips, and keep your head to the side of the ball carrier. Bend your knees, drive with your legs, and wrap your arms around the torso. A solid tackle stops forward momentum and reduces the chance of injury. Try a drill where you tackle a padded dummy from a few metres away, then step back and repeat.

Running Lines. Running straight at a defender is a waste of space. Instead, angle your run to create a gap. Look for the space between the defender and the next tackler, then cut inside or outside as needed. The “cut‑back” move works well near the ruck – sprint a few metres, then quickly change direction.

Advanced Moves

Off‑load. An off‑load is a pass made while you’re still being tackled. Keep the ball in both hands, wait for the defender’s grip to settle, then slip the ball to a teammate on your side. This keeps the play alive and can break a defensive line. Start by practicing with a partner who lightly holds you, then progress to full contact.

Kick‑Pass. A kick‑pass is useful when you’re too close to the defensive line to hand off. Drop the ball low, angle your foot, and aim for a teammate’s space. The ball should bounce just enough to stay under control. Work on a short 5‑meter kick first, then stretch it out as you get comfortable.

Support Play. Good teams always have a player in support. After you carry the ball, immediately look for a teammate a few metres behind you. If you get tackled, the support player can either receive a pass or continue the rush. This habit turns individual effort into a collective push.

These techniques tie back to the basics covered in our "Five Essential Rules of Rugby" guide, which stresses simple, repeatable actions. By mastering passing, tackling, and running lines first, you’ll find the advanced moves easier to slot into real game situations.

Try incorporating one new drill each week. Spend 10 minutes on passing, 10 on tackling, and the rest on a specific advanced move. Consistency beats quantity – short, focused sessions build muscle memory faster than long, unfocused workouts.

Remember, rugby is a team sport. Communicate with your mates, call for the ball, and support each other’s runs. When everyone knows the fundamentals, the whole side moves up a level.

Ready to test what you’ve learned? Grab a ball, gather a few friends, and run through the drills in your local park. You’ll feel the difference on the next match, and the confidence to try new moves will grow quickly.