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Spiral pass or spin pass

The spiral pass or spin pass is very useful in rugby. You us it with other types of pass for moving the ball around the field searching for weakness in defence.

Good rugby starts with the basics

When you play good rugby a pass is easier when
you know your rugby handling

and your passing basics.

Spin passes are used frequently

The spiral pass
and the spin pass
are one and the same thing.
The pass is
used frequently in most
top class games of rugby.
You will find it useful in a wide range of situations
You will tend to use it more often
in the backs rather than the forwards.

You use it particularly for fast delivery
and for longer passes.

This pass looks good and is useful
when used between skillful players.
But it tends to be overused.

When your target receives this pass
the ball is spinning rapidly
and is much more difficult to catch.
If you are new to the game
or still working on your skills,
aim to perfect other passes first.
This is especially true
if you're a young player.

Even if you have the best
spin pass in the world
it may hurt your team effort
if your team mates are
unable to catch a spinning ball.

Remember, use the spiral pass or spin pass
when it is the best pass for the job
and when you are sure your target
is able to catch a spinning ball.

How you spin a rugby ball

The actual spin is applied when you
pull up strongly with the fingers
of your outside hand,
rotating the ball by rolling it
off the thumb
of your inside hand.

Try this first, so you get the ball spinning.

Spin a rugby ball. Step 1.

Hold the ball in the "cage" grip
(see rugby handling).

Spin a rugby ball. Step 1

Change your grip slightly
so you are holding the ball with
just the fingers of one hand,
just the thumb of your other.

Spin a rugby ball. Step 2.

With your thumb, push in and down,
with your fingers pull up and in, the ball will spin.

Aim for a good even spin,
rotating smoothly along
the whole length of the ball.

Spin a rugby ball. Step 3.

Change the fingers you use
and the thumb you use
and the ball will spin in the opposite direction.

When you've got it
go back to the cage grip
and now with all fingers and thumbs on the ball
get the ball spinning

Practice this part of the pass
before adding the swinging arms
and pushing the ball to the target

How do you make a spin pass

Spin pass of a rugby ball

This is a two handed pass.
Turn your body towards the target.
This improves your aim and helps
protect your softer body parts
from tacklers.

Similar action to the normal rugby pass
but apply spin to the ball
for improved speed and accuracy.

Make the pass
by drawing your
arms to one side of your body
then swinging your arms
across in front of your body.

Players hold the ball in different ways
when they spiral pass or spin pass the ball.
Experiment to find the best way for you.

You could try this one first.

A grip to spin pass a rugby ball.

Your "outside" hand is
more towards the rear of the ball,
pushing towards the target,
your fingers spinning the ball.

Your "inside" hand is more
towards the front of the ball,
your thumb helping to spin and
your fingers guiding the ball.

A grip to spin pass a rugby ball.

You can do it just as well
with the cage grip and the ball
turned legthways across your body.

You use this pass
for medium and long passes.

The longer your intended
spiral pass or spin pass
the more your upper body
and arm strength will be needed.

Practice the spin pass

You can practice the spin pass alone.
Simply pass the ball vertically.
Aim to send it straight up like a rocket,
but spinning as it goes.

Then for the real pass
just adjust your arms to send it to the target.

Main points

medium to long passes
more suitable for backs than forwards
pass in plenty of time
look at and think about your target
follow through with arms and fingers

Return from Spiral pass or spin pass to Rugby passing

Evtechs Sports Training
Sydney, Australia