No one supports the ball carrier
The ball carrier makes a break and turns round to find nobody there
Why it happens
- Players stop and watch when a teammate breaks through. They're fans, not support.
- They don't know where support should be, so they stay where they are.
- Nobody calls, so the ball carrier doesn't know anyone's coming.
- Tired players walk once the ball has gone past them.
What to say
✓ Say this
- “Ball goes, you go.”
- “Get behind the ball and call.”
- “Great support! You made that try possible.”
- “Who's with the ball? Who's next?”
✗ Not this
- “Run!” with no direction.
- “Why weren't you there?”
- Only praising the player who made the break.
- Letting games run so long that players are too tired to support.
The drill ladder
Move a group up a level only when they hit the "ready for next level" sign. It's fine for groups to be on different levels.
Wide buddy walk
How it works
- Ball carrier walks forward. Two support players walk alongside, one each side, about 5 big steps away.
- The coach calls “left” or “right”. The carrier passes that way and the group re-forms around the new carrier.
- Speed up to a jog. Then let the carrier choose the side.
Coaching points
- Five big steps wide, and slightly behind the ball.
- Support players keep their hands up as a target.
- When the ball moves, the shape moves with it.
Ready for the next level when: Groups keep their width and shape at a jog for the length of the pitch.
Support runner race
How it works
- A ball carrier starts running from a cone. Two support players start 5 metres behind.
- The supports race to get beside the carrier and call. The carrier passes to the first one to arrive and call.
- Rotate. Then add a still defender the carrier must run at before passing.
Coaching points
- Ball goes, you go.
- Arrive behind and beside the ball, then call.
- The first to call gets the ball.
Ready for the next level when: Support arrives and calls within a couple of seconds, every time.
2v1 channel
How it works
- Two attackers against one defender.
- The ball carrier runs at the defender. Pass if the defender commits to you, run if they drift to your support.
- Defender walks or jogs first, then plays full speed.
- Defenders use a two-handed touch, not a tackle.
Coaching points
- Run at the defender's inside shoulder to draw them.
- Support stays a few metres wide and calls “here!”
- Ask the carrier afterwards what they saw.
Ready for the next level when: Most reps finish with the right pass-or-run choice.
3v2 overlap
How it works
- Three attackers against two defenders in a wide channel. Defenders use a two-handed touch, not a tackle.
- The ball starts with the attacker on one edge. Attack has to get the ball to the free player.
- Defenders walk, then jog, then play at full speed. Rotate after each go.
Coaching points
- Ball carrier runs at a defender to hold them before passing.
- Free player: stay wide, call loud, be ready to catch at pace.
- Ask the carrier afterwards who the free player was and when they knew.
Ready for the next level when: The attack finds the free player most of the time with defenders at full speed.
Two-pass try
How it works
- Normal touch rugby in a small area.
- A try only counts if the ball has been passed at least twice since the last touch or turnover.
- Once they're doing it, add a bonus point for a try scored by a player who started on the other side of the pitch.
Coaching points
- Praise the passer as loudly as the scorer.
- Support players get beside or slightly behind the ball carrier, not in front.
- Ask: “Who made that try?” Let them name the passers.
Ready for the next level when: Most tries come from a move with two or more passes, without being reminded.
Common coaching mistakes
- Only praising the player who makes the break.
- Long games where players are too tired to support.
- Telling them to “support” without showing where to run.
- Drills with no defenders, so support never matters.
Related problems
SupportGame sense
They stand still and wait for the ball
Most of the team watches the ball and waits for it to come to them
PassingAttackThey won't pass, they just run
Heads down, running into three defenders, support players left waving
SpacingAttackGame senseThey all bunch around the ball
A swarm follows the ball, nobody holds width, the pitch is empty everywhere else