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.
ClarkeG
Roar Guru
Pete I sense a tinge of arrogance in your post. I take exception to your comments. For several years I have held views on spiral passing and genuinely decided to put these to this forum. There was no gap in storyline to be filled or any editor to keep happy. There is no conspiracy! I would hardly call quoting the Michael O'Connor article as quoting others for the sake of it. If you've taken time to read the article you would see it is particularly relevant to the topic and being that O'Connor is a past dual international, I would have thought his thoughts were at the very least, worthy of some consideration. You imply that any person that has "not played the game at decent level" can not understand or comprehend the game. Being that this is important to you I think it only right that you advise to what level you have played so as we can judge the credibility of your opinions. Everyone in this forum is entitled to express their views and if they so wish submit an article. Whether or not they have played halfback or played the game at any level, is less relevant than their interest in the game and their actual views and opinions. Others may agree, disagree, and discuss those opinions but I think we all should expect to be able to take part without being subjected to condescending attitudes such as your's. I suggest you read my article again as I get the feeling that you are under this misapprehension that I am totally opposed to all spiral passing whatever the circumstances.
wardad
Guest
But Nick think of the gasps of admiration from those females ! Why even the dogs might stop fighting from sheer amazement ! The correct ball size would be a requirement for success though...
Pete
Guest
Well ClarkeG, that is your opinion, but sadly it shows a complete misunderstanding of how the game is played and the way we pass. Spirals are efficient and direct. Just compare to the the league players passes. They should be learning to spiral at least 30% of the time. If you have not played the game at decent level, you would never comprehend, which your article clearly demonstrates. Unless your just writing a story and quoting othersfor the sake of an article! Stuck for a storyline to keep your editor happy?
carnivean
Roar Rookie
It's been determined that the punt is a more reliable kick. Missing a torpedo kick is a massive problem. Missing a punt by the same distance is generally still effective. That said, given they are now all professional players, they should be training in both. If you aren't under pressure, then the torpedo will give better results. If you are being pressured, then revert to the torpedo. Of course this doesn't apply to Mark Gerard, whose kicks were amazing.
Daffyd
Roar Rookie
Nice tip! I'll use it, thanks!
DaniE
Roar Guru
We use the TV screen analogy for catching the ball but hadn't thought of following through with the pass
DaniE
Roar Guru
Great exercise, especially if they drop the ball less - keeps the morale up
DaniE
Roar Guru
Thanks so much for all the tips! So true about flash over fundamentals too - they all want to be superstars. Now to just get them to listen/stop staring into space/fighting each other...
Rob
Guest
A great instructional tip I heard from (someone's sevens coach - he's changed jobs a bit) Mike Friday was to 'take a picture of your pass'. Following through with BOTH hands, pointed at the target, the way your hands end up is kind of the way one holds a camera - thumbs down, index fingers up. Not just kids, but I find even adults working on a skill respond well to such implicit instructional methods (i.e. avoid listing all the parts of an action, but give a related example/metaphor that's more memorable and prevents the 'paralysis by analysis' I see in athletes)
Rob
Guest
I have them pass across a big square, but all four side go inward at the same time. Added pressure, needs more focus and communication ... "Hold" ... "Pop now!", etc. I've found that even kids do well at this because there's a challenge that unopposed passing doesn't present, and while I don't count I feel they drop fewer balls even!
Daffyd
Roar Rookie
Welcome DaniE With kids it's 95% fundamentals and 5% flash -- the hard thing as a coach of kids -- is the players think it's the reverse. Try stationary passing races if you have enough kids (no running, just passing in a flat line -- they generally find it a lot of fun, especially if it's best of 5 and one team has to run around the posts or do 10 push ups. As soon as there is competition and the pressure is on, passes get dropped :) It's a good exercise after they've been running a bit and want a break. Tips -- get the receivers to keep hands up & reach for the ball -- it gives the passers a target to aim at.. -- the pass is a short arm movement across the body, as if you were passing a tray of drinks from one side to the other.. -- and the passer should 'throw" the hands (as they release the ball) at the next receivers hands. that will make the ball go flat to the receiver, (not passing up in the air or down into the ground. Also et your six year olds play a lot of touch, just running and passing. My team that was successful played touch all the time, especially to warm up. We even won a local touch tourney! If you want to make it more rugby like, get them to fall on the ground when touched and place the ball. I coached a lot of teens (15yo16 yo) who had never played rugby, (before getting the firsts) so it was starting from scratch. Make you think a lot about the game and the stuff we take for granted after playing for many years when you have to teach the basic basics. Good luck with the nippers!
DaniE
Roar Guru
Thanks for this, really instructive
DaniE
Roar Guru
Great article, I agree with it so much. Any thoughts on ways to help starting rugby players to pass? I feel that my 6yo and his mates don't have a great success rate in passing drills, but when we practiced sympathetic passes against a couple of defenders in the yard, they were more successful and the point of rugby came across to them a bit better. Should we be playing more and drilling less maybe?
ClarkeG
Roar Guru
Pete what has whether or not I played halfback, got to do with anything I have written in my article.
ClarkeG
Roar Guru
Taylorman please have a look at the Haskell pass if you can. If you view the pass you will realise that the circumstances of that pass are completely different to the Aaron Smith pass you have referenced.
ClarkeG
Roar Guru
Taylorman why do you ask if I am a back? This is of relevance why? It is clear in my article that I did not use Haskell as an example of a "highly skilled passer". I simply used the particular pass he made as an example to support the points I made.
Harry Jones
Expert
Haha! You sound really distractied! Coach hated it until it worked. But just like in soccer, a quick side to side switch can really open up space Had a really fast wing who had hands of stone--dropped any normal pass--so I was just trying to get him the ball quick
abnutta
Roar Guru
There's a time and place for everything. I prefer to see players utilising the spiral pass precisely because it requires more skill to execute both catching and passing and most importantly both left and right. It should be a prerequisite for a backline player from 9 to 15, to spiral the ball from either hand and I am suspicious of those that opt for the less skilful "push" or "lob" pass. I can forgive the use of the push pass when used in close quarter passing under pressure, being used by meathead forwards or by 5 year old girls.
Hoy
Roar Guru
Not so sure they are obsessed by it... but I would be glad if Professional players could pass better... I learned to pass both ways well enough when I was 13. I still can pass both ways, with my "weak" side actually being better for distance for some reason... To see Adam Ashley Cooper pass the football is to look at Medusa... man it is ugly sometimes... To watch League centres pass is often to look at Medusa's fatter, uglier sister... I just don't understand how a professional footballer cannot pass both ways well. And I mean well. What else do they do all day? Also, love the torp! Bring it back with rucking...
nickoldschool
Roar Guru
Well done harry :). Never had the balls to try it in a match. I guess being a player easily distracted by what was happening around the field (female supporters, dogs fighting etc) I thought a pass 'a la yankee' would have been a tad too much and would have warranted a few more 'motivational slaps' before the next game! Good on you for doing it mate!