You May Subscribe To This Site

Lob pass

The lob pass is a handy pass in rugby. Valuable when a player is running in close support but too close and/or too far behind for a conventional pass.

Start with the basics for good rugby

Good rugby skills - build them from the ground up.
Passes are easier to make if...
...you have good handling skills...

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

When you use the lob pass

Use the lob pass...
...in very special circumstances.
You have at least one support player...
...fairly close to you...
...but in a position behind you...
...that makes it difficult... Pop pass of a rugby ball starting position

Pop pass of a rugby ball starting position

...to reach them effectively...
...with a normal pass or a spin pass.

You make the pass...
...while still moving forwards...
...with your support trailing you...
...and running...
...at roughly the same pace.

The pass is a gentle lob...
...over one shoulder or the other...
...not actually travelling very far.

You can can throw further...
...out to the side...
...but the further you throw...
...the riskier it becomes.

Weigh up the benefits of the pass...
...and the consequences.
Lobbing the ball to your only supporter... Lob pass starting position
...when close to their try-line...
...is very different from attempting it...
...to one of several supporters...
...near your own try-line.

How do you make a lob pass

As shown ...
...this is a two handed pass...
...but it could be performed...
...one handed if necessary. Lob pass of a rugby ball finishing position

You push the ball out...
...slightly in front of your body...
...around neck height
Position it so as to give the easiest...
...route to your supporting player...
...bearing in mind how wide...
...and how far behind the ball must go,

Use a combination of arms...
...wrists and fingers...
...to move the ball...
...the required distance with a lob.

In rugby situations vary...
...to a huge degree.
Practice this pass...
...with your own variations...
...and you are likely...
...to find it very valuable.

Lob pass finishing position

This is a good pass to practice alone.
You don`t have to run far to retrieve the ball...
...just treat it as part of fitness and agility training...
...then do it again...
....from where you pick up the ball.
Then again... and again... and again!

You could also do it with a wall behind you...
...so you can measure your accuracy....
...get the ball back faster...
...and do more repetitions in the same amount of time!

Main points

short to medium pass
ball passed over your shoulder
usually a gentle lob
know where your real target is
mainly wrist and finger action

Return from Lob pass to Rugby passing

Evtechs Sports Training
Sydney, Australia