Two hand carry

You often use a two hand carry when you have the ball when not at top speed in a game of rugby. You keep your options open and your opposition guessing.

Carry to keep options open at lower speeds

Much of a game of rugby is played at less than top speed.

When you have the ball you want to be able to pass left or right, dummy, sidestep or put in chip kick or grubber - anything!

In other words you want as many options available as possible

And you want to take them at the drop of a hat - or faster!

At the same time, you want to keep the opposition guessing. The way you hold the ball gives experienced players clues.

You also want to have a good grip on the ball so you keep possession.

Carry ball, two hand-1

Carry ball, two hand-2

So you want

• lots of options available
• to give out few clues
• a secure grip on the ball

You may find this is a great technique...

• hold the ball in the "cage grip" (see rugby handling)
• run with the ball out in front of you

• it can be held horizontally or vertically
• move it around, give them something to think about

You`ll keep a good grip on the ball and keep their brains churning over.

When you run with the ball like this you will find you move the ball naturally from side to side to keep your ballance.

No brain power taken up by you, but every time the ball moves your opponents have to use vital resources.

They have to watch it to see what it`s doing and work out all the possibilities of where it might be going!

All the time the ball is safe and secure in the cage - it`s going nowhere until you make a decision about what to do with it.

Make sure one of your options is a sidestep!