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Pop pass

The pop pass is an essential pass in rugby. Valuable when a player is running in close support and you want to disguise your intention to pass to them.

Start your good rugby 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.
.

Disguise what you are about to do

When you use only the spin pass...
...you miss out on other opportunities
Your body movements...
...and positioning of the ball...
...give information to opponents.
It is easy to see...
...that you will make...
...a hard and fast...
...medium to long pass.

When you use other passes...
...the position of your body...
...and the position of the ball...
...disguise what you are about to do.

Pop pass starting position
Rugby ball pop pass starting position

This is the start of a pop pass.
It could easily be...
...the start of other things...
...a normal pass...
...a swing pass...
...a lob pass...
...changed to a chip and chase kick...
...changed to put through a rolling ball or bouncing ball.

Note - high arm action...
...gives protection from tackler...
...and arms drawn well back...
...give power message that
...says a medium pass...
...or a long pass...
...is about to be delivered.

How do you make a pop pass

Pop pass finishing position.

As shown above...
...this is a two handed pass.
From the wound up start position...
...with your arms drawn high to one side...
...your arms are swung across your body.

You suddenly stop your arms...
...in front of your body.
You do the rest of the pass...
...with your wrists and fingers only.

You pop the ball upwards and outwards...
...into the path of a charging support player...
...who is running into the gap...
...between you and the player...
...your opponents thought was your target.

You have loads of control.
Your slight turn gives a great range of sight...
...and a great range of movement.

Remember...just gently pop it out...
...into the gap...
..for your support...
...to run on to and gather at speed.

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!

Main points

initial actions imply medium to long pass
disguised short pass
suitable for any player
send messages with high drawn back arms
know where your real target is
very much wrist and finger action

Return from Pop pass to Rugby passing

Evtechs Sports Training
Sydney, Australia