The Land Rover Premiership Rugby Cup (LRPRC) is a series of national grassroots rugby festivals for Under-11 and Under-12 teams. Run in conjunction with all 12 Premiership Rugby clubs. The regional rugby events have become an essential part of the English rugby calendar since their inception in 2008, helping more than 85,000 youngsters to discover rugby.

As the LRPRC festivals are currently unable to take place Land Rover is bringing you a range of coaching drills and training tips from a host of Land Rover rugby ambassadors, designed to help you prepare for the return of grassroots rugby soon!

Please remember to follow the RFU guidelines and ensure you are staying safe when developing your skills.

Practice One• Put out four cones in a straight line, about

five metres apart.• With a parent/guardian/sibling stand five

metres apart.• Kick a ball to each other, alternating

between each foot.• Increase the distance between you once

you are kicking accurately.

Practice Two• Aim for a target, for example a tree, tire

swing or a wheelie bin.• Put out four cones in a straight line, about

five metres apart.• Stand on the first cone, closest one to the

target and try to hit the target• Move along the cones and try to hit the

target.• Increase the distance once you have hit the

target.

Initial coaching points:• ‘Kick with your whole body, not just your foot’ –

make sure you run through the kick, and land on your kicking foot after kicking.

• ‘Aim to crush the belly of the ball with your foot’ – Hold the ball across your foot in two hands, aim to strike the widest part of the ball (belly) with your foot.

• ‘Crucial to point your toes as you strike the ball’ – Point your toes and strike the belly of the ball with the top of your foot (the laces of your boot).

Development points:• Keep your head and shoulders still and leaning

forward whilst kicking.• After striking the ball, the kicking leg should follow

through in the direction you want the ball to go.

Top Tips from fly-half extraordinaire, George Ford

LAND ROVER PREMIERSHIP RUGBY CUP COACHING PACK

WHAT IS IT?

KICKING OUT OF HAND

Initial coaching points:When running towards a defender:• As you approach the defender, keep the ball

in two hands.• ‘Put the defender where you want him/her’ –

use your approach to the defender to control where they move to defend you.

• ‘Re-accelerate after the sidestep’ After decelerating to change direction, quickly accelerate away from the defender.

Development points• As you change direction, transfer the ball into

the arm furthest from the defender, and use your free arm push the defender away (if age group laws allow).

How to Beat Defenders and Break the Line,from Speedster Anthony Watson

Practice One• Put three cones in the shape of the

triangle. The centre cone in the top of the triangle.

• Run with the ball in two hands out to the centre cone.

• When reaching the centre cone, step off your right foot and then run to the cone at the corner at full speed.

• Step off each foot five times while alternating each leg.

• To progress the drill, get a parent/guardian to shout what direction they want you to go before you get to the centre cone.

Practice Two• Place some cones in a straight line about

five metres apart• Runs with the ball in two hands down the

line of cones• When reaching each cone, sidestep

before each cone while alternating each foot when getting to each cone.

• After reaching the cone, accelerate to the next cone.

• To progress the drill, when you side step at the cone run backwards around the cone and then onto the next cone.

SPEED AND SIDE STEP

Initial coaching Points:• Keep eyes on ball the whole time it’s in

the air, to judge the flight of the ball.• Reach up for the ball with hands above

your eye line, bringing it into the body for a secure catch.

• Stand sideways on to the ball, with a strong, wide base.

Development points• Try jumping up to meet the ball,

catching it at the highest point of your jump – landing in the same strong, sideways stance above.

• Lift your front knee to offer some protection from oncoming defenders

Winning the High Ball Battle with Legendary Full Back, Mike Brown

UNDER THE HIGH BALL

Practice One• On your own or with a family member, have

them throw or kick a rugby ball/ any ball into the air

• When catching the ball be sure to keep focused on the ball and light on your feet

• To minimise the number of times you drop the ball, create a secure (basket) shape with your arms and guide the ball in

• You can progress this by getting someone adding pressure or competing against a sibling

• When comfortable with the catch progress and add a jump in there which will give you an edge over your opponent

Practice Two • This adds an element of distraction compared to

the first exercise• Throw or kick a ball and focus on all elements

from previous skill• Have someone add distractions like waving a

swimming noodle or pillow as you are going for catch.

• Mix up the catches and try jumping and catching the ball in the air. You can also experiment with a different catch i.e. catching over your head.

• Progress this by using different balls

DISCOVERY SPORT

ADVENTURE IS CLOSERTHAN YOU THINK

Land Rover Discovery Sport. It’s tough enough to tackle any challenge head on. With up to 1,794 litres of loadspace, it makes light work of transporting all your equipment. While innovative technologies such as Terrain Response 2* deliver maximum capability, and 5+2 seat versatility gives you and your team all the space you need.

landrover.co.uk/discoverysport

Official Fuel Consumption Figures for the Discovery Sport range (excluding PHEV) in mpg (I/100km): Combined 28.0-47.7 (10.1-6.3). CO2 Emissions 227-165 g/km. PHEV in mpg (l/100km): Combined 141-141 (2-2). CO2 Emissions 44-44 g/km. EV Range: Up to 34 miles. The figures provided are as a result of official manufacturer’s tests in accordance with EU legislation. For comparison purposes only. Real world figures may differ. CO2, fuel economy, energy consumption and range figures may vary according to factors such as driving styles, environmental conditions, load, wheel fitment and accessories fitted. EV range figures are based upon production vehicle over a standardised route. Range achieved will vary dependent on vehicle and battery condition. Drive responsibly on and off-road.*Not available on manual vehicles.

GALLAGHER PREMIERSHIP RUGBY FIXTURES

Round 7Fri 29 Jan | 19:45 GMT Bristol Bears V Bath Rugby

Sat 30 Jan | 15:00 GMT Gloucester Rugby V Northampton Saints

Sat 30 Jan | 15:00 GMT Leicester Tigers V Sale Sharks

Sat 30 Jan | 15:00 GMT Worcester Warriors V Exeter Chiefs

Sun 31 Jan | 14:30 GMT London Irish V Newcastle Falcons

Sun 31 Jan | 15:00 GMT Wasps V Harlequins

Round 8Fri 5 Feb | 19:45 GMT Bristol Bears V Sale Sharks

Sat 6 Feb | 14:15 GMT Bath Rugby V Harlequins

Sat 6 Feb | 15:00 GMT Leicester Tigers V Worcester Warriors

Sat 6 Feb | 15:00 GMT London Irish V Gloucester Rugby

Sat 6 Feb | 15:00 GMT Wasps V Northampton Saints

Sun 7 Feb | 13:00 GMT Newcastle Falcons V Exeter Chiefs

Round 9Fri 12 Feb | 19:45 GMT Gloucester Rugby V Bristol Bears

Fri 12 Feb | 20:00 GMT Sale Sharks V Bath Rugby

Sat 13 Feb | 15:00 GMT Harlequins V Leicester Tigers

Sat 13 Feb | 16:15 GMT Exeter Chiefs V London Irish

Sat 13 Feb | 16:30 GMT Northampton Saints V Newcastle Falcons

Sun 14 Feb | 13:00 GMT Worcester Warriors V Wasps

Please share your videos practicing your rugby skills on Twitter tagging @premrugby, @LandRoverRugby using #DiscoverRugby to be in with a chance of winning a Land Rover rugby ball signed by some famous rugby names!