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Rugby handling

Rugby handling - when you play good rugby you control the ball well and hold it securely and when you handle the ball well you play rugby confidently.

What is it..

Because I deal with passing and catching
   as individual skills
   this is what I mean by handling

When you pick up the ball
   and afterwards - when you move the ball around
   in relation to your body.

Before you pass the ball - you control and prepare to pass.

After you catch the ball - you control the ball
   maybe you move it around
   to avoid having the ball taken away from you.

When you run with the ball
   you control the ball with your hands
   that`s all rugby handling.

When you handle well the ball behaves well
   you welcome it
   you look forward to seeing it
   you feel you want to hold it
   you play confidently.
You will probabaly even look, sound and feel confident!

Good handling

How do you handle well?

Handling the rugby ball well
   I say, is all about touch.

Many say "You must spread out your fingers"
   that`s true and very much more than that.

Build strong fingers
   that are responsive to the shape of the ball
   and use your fingers
   that mould to the shape of the ball.

Use the fingertips of your
   strong responsive fingers
   to create a cage-like structure
   from which the rugby ball cannot escape.

Rugby handling - the cage looks like this.

Rugby handling - the cage looks like this.

Strong responsive fingers

Maybe you have them already.

You may think of a clever way to get them.

If not, how do you get them? I`m not certain!

Mine arrived when I wasn`t looking!
   so I can`t say for certain "This is how you do it".

But I`m pretty sure.

I think it probably had a bit to do with gymnastics and climbing
   but mostly from basketball.

Basketballs are relatively heavy.
I just compared mine with my rugby ball
   and found it was 40% heavier.
It may not seem that much
   but take care
   if one hits you awkwardly on the finger
   you certainly know about it!

So,
   I suggest you spend a good amount
   of time bouncing and dribbling a basketball.
I`m pretty sure you will find it is time well spent.
Make sure you are good at it
   with both hands - nobody told me!

Practice practice practice

Practice as much as possible - be sure it`s enjoyable.

Always aim to improve on last time.
When you practice
   aim for perfect handling because
the more times you handle perfectly in practice
   then the more you are going to
   handle perfectly in the game.

The idea is you practice enough so
   whatever you are doing the skills become instinctive.

Once you know what to do
   find ways to concentrate the practice.
Be inventive, or pretend you are inventive.
You may devise ways to play about with the ball
   that improve handling
   as well as improve fitness and flexibility.

To have concentrated practice probably means you
do a lot of practice by yourself.
If you are creative this is possible.
Be confident you can do it and enjoy yourself

Rugby handling class

This section is
   to help you remember how to hold the ball
   and to suggest to you
   some ideas for how you can create
   your own concentrated skill routines
   that are fun to do.

For further details and
   watch a video on rugby handling

click this link to rugby handling class.

Remember
   handling is a basic rugby skill.
Be sure when you are on the rugby field
   you are mastering it
   along with the other basic skills.

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Sydney, Australia