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Overhead lob pass

The overhead lob pass is used from time to time in rugby. Useful when play is at a fairly slow pace with opposition players between the ball carrier and support.

Good rugby begins with the basics

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

...and good rugby passing basics.
.

Who should use an ovehead lob pass

As the name (lob) suggests...
...this is a fairly slow and gentle pass...
...but can be used in many...
...different situations of play...
...where the opposition and your own team...
...have mingled to some extent.

Any opposition players between...
...you and your support players means ...
...fast, normal passes (waist-to-chest height)...
...cannot be used because...
...they would either hit...
...or be intercepted by the opposition.

The ball can be lobbed over the opposition...
...into a space for support to run on to...
...or directly over the top...
...to a waiting player.

This pass can be made one handed...
...or two handed.
The action is almost the same...
...the images show two handed.

This pass is similar...
...to the throw the hooker uses...
...to put the ball in to the lineout.

How do you make an overhead lob pas

Overhead lob pass showing the starting position
Pop pass of a rugby ball starting position

Overhead lob pass showing...
...the final position.
Overhead lob pass of a rugby ball finishing position

As shown in the imagaes...
...this is a two handed pass.
Remember...
...you can do it one handed...
...if that is the best way at the time.

You draw the ball back...
...over and behind your head.
The longer the pass...
...the further you draw back the ball.

Also the further the distance to the receiver...
...and the harder you throw the ball...
...the more it becomes a throw...
...rather than a lob.

Nothing wrong with that...
...just a difference in terminology!

This is very much how the hooker...
...throws the ball at lineout time...
...making sure to add spin...
...for distance and accuracy.

Adding spin is not necessary for the lob.
The lob requires more wrist...
...and finger action...
...for accuracy over short distances.

Easy to practice...
...lob against a wall (with a target drawn on it?)...
...or into a basketball hoop...
...or into thin air.
Run and pick it up...
...do it again and again...and again.

Main points

one or two handed short pass
ball draw back behind head
wrist and finger action for accuracy
follow through with fingers

Return from Overhead lob pass to Rugby passing

Evtechs Sports Training
Sydney, Australia