Swing pass

The swing pass is a blast from the past of rugby. Still valuable. Good for general passing to move the ball around the field and for selling a dummy.

Good rugby starts with the basics

It`s a must - you have good handling skills

and you know your rugby passing basics.

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Useful medium length pass

Less fashionable these days but still very useful.

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

"Swing pass, start

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.

When making spiral passes players often tend to run across the field but this pass allows you to run straighter and still get a good pass away.

Reasons you may want to use it

• it extends your repetoire of passes you can never have too many!
• 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, and you`re moving in the opposite direction to the indicated pass.

How to make this easy to catch pass

Swing pass, finish

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 for accuracy
• good for dummy passes

Now follow the link to add other passes to your passing toolkit.