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Dive pass

The dive pass is a blast from the past of rugby. Still valuable. Good when the ball is on the ground and a long clearing pass is required.

Start your good rugby with the basics

Build good rugby skills from the ground up.
A pass is easier if...
...you have good rugby handling...

...and you know your rugby passing basics.
.

An old style pass that is still valuable

A ground pass is usually used by the scrum-half...
...when the ball is controlled...
...and still within the feet...
...at the base of the scrum or at the back of a ruck.

Before the ground pass became popular (existed?)
The scrum-half passed with a dive...
...to move the ball from the base of the scrum...
...to the fly-half.

It is still valuable in general play...
...when you find the ball at your feet during the game...
...and a long pass is needed...
...to get the ball to distant support players

Note - you have to move the ball immediately...
...or you may be tackled as soon as you touch the ball.
This is different from the ground pass...
...from the back of a scrum or ruck...
...where you are protected...
...until you move the ball out from behind...
...the feet of the scrummaging or rucking players.

Dive pass of a rugby ball starting position

Dive pass of a rugby ball starting position

Dive pass showing the starting position

How do you make a dive pass

Dive pass of a rugby ball showing the middle phase.

As shown above...
...this is a two handed pass.
Lifting the ball from the ground...
...you start turning towards your target.
At the same time...
...start a diving motion in the same direction.

Dive pass of a rugby ball finish position

As shown above...
...as your dive progresses...
...you whip your arms from under your body...
...and fling the ball...
...towards your target.

The photo caption says "finish position"...
...but of course, there`s more.
You have to land!
To cushion the blow...
...extend your arms towards the ground...
...and break the fall as best you can.

I know why the ground pass became more popular!

But why do so many players throw in a dive...
...when scoring a try...
Yes it looks good...
...but you do risk injury...
...and you do risk messing up a scoring opportunity.

Just put the ball down...
...remember...it`s for the team!

Spin may be applied as for the spiral pass...
...if you feel you are not doing enough already!

Memories of playing

This brings back memories of playing for Old Leos 2nd XV...
...against Gateshead.
The ground was frozen.
But had obviously not been frozen...
...the last time the pitch was played on...
...because all the deep muddy boot prints...
...with sharp and jagged edges...
...were frozen into the ground.
It was like a cheese grater.
Playing scrum-half...
...and using the dive pass to get the ball away...
...I was the cheese!
Ohhh...the pain and suffering...

Main points

medium to long passes
more suitable for agile players
dive and whipping of arms
look at and think about your target
follow through with arms and fingers
get the landing right...or suffer
avoid frozen pitches

Return from Dive pass to Rugby passing

Evtechs Sports Training
Sydney, Australia