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At every level of rugby there seems to be an obsession with spiralling the ball when making a pass. Spiral passing has been in the game for many years, however its use has increased dramatically in the professional era.
During the England versus Scotland game last weekend English player James Haskell threw a pass to teammate Mike Brown. Brown raced away and scored but the try did not stand after a TMO review, as Haskell’s pass was ruled forward.
It was a simple short pass that one would expect any half decent player to make without error.
In making the pass Haskell put a deliberate but unnecessary spin on the ball which in my opinion caused the ball to go forward. Why did Haskell not simply pass the ball without the spin?
I believe the answer is because the players are so obsessed with the spiral pass that it happens almost by default.
Go to any rugby game at any level and watch the teams carry out their pre-match warm-up drills. Almost every player, no matter what distance they are passing, will spiral or spin the ball.
I understand the reasons for the spiral pass. It is to throw the ball a long distance and have it travel quickly through the air.
If a fly half is throwing a long cut out pass to his centre, or the winger going back in defence throws a long pass infield to his fullback, then in situations such as these it makes perfect sense to employ the spiral pass method.
However if you are making a simple short pass, as was the case in Haskell’s pass to Brown, then I see no need to spin the ball. In fact I believe it to be a disadvantage as it takes that extra split second to grip the ball so as the pass can be made.
In April 2008 writer Wayne Smith wrote an article in The Australian outlining the concerns of dual international Michael O’Connor in regard to the use of the spiral pass. The points covered in this article are still relevant today.
O’Connor was quoted as saying:
“I’ve proven this time and again in coaching drills that simple soft passing, moving the ball crisply through the hands, is faster than using spirals where you have to catch the ball, assuming you do catch it, because a spiral is more difficult to catch, bring it into your body and reposition your hands in the correct place to throw another spiral.”
Also the concern I have is the degree of difficulty in making the spiral pass. Time and time again in the modern game we see pass receivers jumping, baulking, reaching out in front of or behind themselves, to catch a ball that has been inaccurately spiralled to them.
Seemingly there is less margin for error in the spiral pass as opposed to the more traditional pass.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.