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Swing pass

The swing pass is a blast from the past of rugby. Still valuable. Good for moving the ball around the field searching for weakness. Good for selling a dummy.

Good rugby starts with the basics

When you play good rugby a pass...
...is easier if...
...you have good handling skills...

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

An old style pass

This is an old style pass.
I have also seen it called the "fall away" pass...
...and the "hip sink" pass...because you sink down at the hips

Swing pass of a rugby ball showing the starting position

Swing pass of a rugby ball showing the starting position

Swing pass showing the starting position

This is an old style pass from...
...days of rugby gone by...
but it still has a place in rugby today.

You would use it for longer passes...
...where spiral passes are commonly used.

Reasons you may...
...want to use it...
...is it extends your repetoire of passes...
...you can never have too many!
And it makes it easy...
...to convince opponents...
...you are going to pass...
...but then "dummy" instead.

To your potential tackler...
...seeing you...
...balanced precariously on one leg...
...is a sure sign you are about to pass.

The stance allows you to put...
...more effort into the pass.
It also sends you...
...in the opposite direction to the pass.

If you are convincing and time things well...
...you serve up a wonderful dummy pass.
All you have to do is keep hold of the ball...
...moving in the opposite direction to the indicated pass.

How do you make a swing pass

Swing pass of a rugby ball showing the finishing positiony ball

Swing pass of a rugby ball showing the finishing position.

A two handed pass.
You turn your body towards the target.
This improves your aim and helps...
...protect you from tacklers.

Similar action to the normal rugby pass...
...but throw your outside leg...
...towards your target.
This provides balance...
...for a very vigorous arm action.

Draw your arms...
...to one side of your body...
...then swing your arms...
...across in front of your body...
...co-ordinating that with...
...throwing out your leg as shown.

Spin may be applied as for the spiral pass...
...if greater speed is required.
You use this pass...
...for medium and long passes.

Main points

medium to long passes
more suitable for backs than forwards
stretched out leg balances vigorous arm action
pass in plenty of time
look at and think about your target
follow through with arms and fingers
good for dummy passes

Return from Swing pass to Rugby passing

Evtechs Sports Training
Sydney, Australia