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Dummy pass

The dummy pass is a valuable item in your rugby evasion toolkit. You use it to deceive your opponents into thinking you will pass but keep the ball and gain advantage.

Good rugby starts with the basics

When you play good rugby a pass...
...it`s easier if...
...you have good handling skills...

...and you know your rugby passing basics.

Why "sell a dummy"

Because you create an advantage.

In writing about this pass...
...I have had to think about this term.
In rugby it`s called "selling a dummy"

In the old days shopkeepers...
...used to display stuff in the window.
To reduce the costs of holding stock...
...they had "dummy" items.
Things that were relatively cheap and easy to make...
...look like the real thing...
...but if examined closely were obviously not the real thing.
Perhaps some people ended up buying dummies

That is what this pass is all about.
You convince your opponent they are seeing the real thing.

How do you make a dummy pass

The dummy pass...
...is all about deception.
Many types of pass...
...are suitable as the basis for a dummy

Dummy pass of a rugby ball starting position

Dummy pass starting position

There are several important aspects...
...usefulness, persuasion and timing.

Usefulness

To make it worth while...
...to try and "sell a dummy"...
...there must be the potential..
...for you to create an advantage with the ploy.

Keep it as a surprise package...
...where beating your opponent...
...would result in a significant advantage.

Persuasion with body language

This is very much...
...about body language
You convince your opponent...
...you are about to pass...
...and then keep the ball.

Some players can make their opponents...
...believe something unbelievable...
...like, say, pretending to pass to a position...
...where there is no supporting player - passing to thin air!

That`s for when you are highly skilled!

It`s useful if you have completed...
...a similar, non-dummy pass previously...
...against the same opponent.
They will think...
...they know what is about to happen.

The more preparation the pass involves...
...the more time you have...
...to convince that it will take place.
Make clear, extravagent movements with your arms...
...and move the ball towards the target.
It looks like the ball is actually on the way to the target.

The swing pass is a good example.
...because you put in some time and effort...
...to make the pass.
Just before you release the ball...
...you look as though...
... you are in a precarious, vulnerable position.

But actually you are...
...well balanced, moving...
...in the opposite direction to the indicated pass...
and ready to take advantage.

Timing

You have to get the timing right.
You make the pass early enough...
...to avoid crashing into your opponent...
...yet late enough...
...to give them no time to react.

Dummy pass result

Your opponent is utterly convinced...
...the pass is being made.
They think there is no point tackling you...
...the ball has gone.
Instead they can see they have an advantage.
They move in the direction of the dummy pass...
...to intercept the pass...
...or to get an early start tackling...
...the perceived receiver of the ball.

This is particularly true in a two-on-one situation...
...when you have received the ball...
...a little late...with little time to pass
The two of you have an advantage...
...over your single opponent...
...but if you pass...
...there is a real threat of an intercept.

With more time it may be better...
...to draw the player to you...
...and pass to your unmarked support.

In the situation with little time...
...maybe it`s better to dummy.
You would be certain there was no intercept...
...and if the dummy did not work...
...you still have the ball.

Main points

short to medium pass
suitable for all players
timing of the pass is critical
be convincing
make the ball look as though it is moving to the target

Return from Dummy pass to Rugby passing

Evtechs Sports Training
Sydney, Australia