Basic Rugby Passing: Spin Pass, Pop Pass & Drills
Want to pass like an England international? Whether you’re dreaming of delivering the final pass for a try at Twickenham or just looking to sharpen your skills for the local club, mastering the fundamentals of passing is non-negotiable. For the England national rugby union team, crisp, accurate passing is the lifeblood of their attacking strategy, from the fast-paced chaos of the Six Nations Championship to the structured pressure of the Autumn Nations Series.
Under Head Coach Steve Borthwick, core skills are paramount. This guide will walk you through the two essential passes every player needs: the long-range spin pass and the close-quarters pop pass. We’ll break down the technique and give you some simple, effective drills you can do anywhere. Let’s get your hands right and build a passing game worthy of the Red Rose.
What You'll Need Before You Start
You don’t need much to begin, but getting these basics right sets you up for success.
A Rugby Ball: It seems obvious, but get used to the size and grip of a proper size 5 ball. The feel is different from a football or an American football.
Space: A garden, park, or quiet car park will do. You need enough room to take a few steps and pass without hitting anything (or anyone!).
A Partner (Ideal) or a Wall (A Good Alternative): Passing is a two-way skill. A partner is best for realistic practice, but a solid wall is a fantastic tool for repetition and working on your technique solo.
Appropriate Footwear: Trainers for hard ground, boots for grass. You need to be stable and able to move.
A Willingness to Start Slow: Forget distance and power at first. Focus purely on the technique. Slow and correct beats fast and sloppy every time.
The Step-by-Step Guide to Perfect Passing
Step 1: Mastering the Stance and Grip
Everything starts from the ground up. Your passing platform is crucial.
Stance: Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, knees slightly bent. Be on the balls of your feet, not your heels. Your body should be side-on to your target. If you’re passing right, your left shoulder should point where the ball is going. This opens up your body and allows for a full, sweeping motion.
Grip: Hold the ball with both hands. Your fingers should be spread across the seams for maximum control. Your dominant hand (the one you’re passing with) will be at the back of the ball, your non-dominant hand at the front, guiding it. Think of your hands as being on the sides of the ball, not the ends.
Why it matters: Watch Owen Farrell set to pass. His body is always aligned, creating a stable base whether he’s under pressure or orchestrating a set move. A poor stance means a poor pass.
Step 2: Executing the Spin Pass
The spin pass is your go-to for accuracy over distance. It’s the pass you’ll see Marcus Smith use to fire the ball out to the wings.
- The Wind-Up: From your side-on stance, draw the ball back across your body towards your hip on the passing side. Your eyes should be up, looking at your target.
- The Swing: Swing your arms across your body in a smooth, horizontal arc. The power comes from your core and shoulders, not just your arms.
- The Release & Spin: This is the key. As your hands reach the target, snap your wrists. Your back (dominant) hand provides the power and the spin by rolling over the top of the ball. Your front (guiding) hand points precisely where you want the ball to go. The ball should spiral backwards end-over-end.
- The Follow-Through: Your hands should finish pointing directly at your target. Your weight transfers from your back foot to your front foot.
Drill: The Wall Pass. Stand 3-5 metres from a solid wall. Practice your spin pass technique, focusing on the wrist snap to get a clean, consistent spiral back to you. Concentrate on your footwork and follow-through every single time.
Step 3: Delivering the Pop Pass
The pop pass is about timing and subtlety. It’s used in tight spaces, often to a forward hitting a short, hard line—think Ellis Genge or Maro Itoje crashing onto the ball.
- The Setup: You are much more front-on to your target than with a spin pass. The ball is held in two hands close to your chest.
- The Delivery: It’s a short, sharp pushing motion. There’s no big wind-up. Extend your arms slightly, "popping" the ball up softly into the space just in front of the receiver’s chest.
- The Key: It’s all about presenting the ball to the runner. You are placing it into their path, not throwing it at them. The pass should lead them onto it.
Drill: The Short Gain Game. With a partner, stand facing each other 2 metres apart. One player jogs on the spot, the other holds the ball. On a call, the jogger changes angle slightly, and the passer must deliver a soft, accurate pop pass into their hands without breaking stride. Switch roles.
Step 4: Integrating Movement and Drills
Passing on the move under pressure is what separates practice from performance.
The Basic Moving Drill: With a partner, start 10 metres apart. Jog sideways in parallel, keeping the same distance. Pass the ball back and forth using spin passes. Focus on passing ahead of your partner so they don’t have to break stride.
The Pressure Drill: Add a passive defender (or a cone) between you and your partner. As you jog, you must time your pass to go behind the defender to your partner’s outside shoulder. This simulates beating a player in the defensive line.
These drills mimic the kind of patterns the England men's rugby team will run in training at the RFU’s high-performance centre, honing their skills for battles like the Calcutta Cup or Millennium Trophy.
Pro Tips & Common Mistakes to Avoid
Pro Tips:
Eyes Up: Always look at your target, not the ball. Scan the defence first.
Communication is Key: A short call of "Man on!" or "Time!" lets your passer know what they have. Silence creates errors.
Practice Both Hands: Being ambidextrous is a huge advantage. It makes you unpredictable.
Watch the Best: Analyse how the England half-backs pass. Notice Farrell’s consistency and Smith’s ability to pass from different angles.
Common Mistakes:
The "Bomb" Pass (Lob): A high, looping pass is a gift to the defence. Pass flat and hard.
Passing Off the Back Foot: This kills all power and accuracy. Transfer your weight forward.
Stiff Wrists: No wrist snap means no spin and a wobbly, slow pass.
Standing Square: Passing front-on limits your range and makes the pass telegraphed. Get side-on.
Understanding these fundamentals will also help you appreciate the roles on the pitch. Want to know where these passes are most crucial? Check out our guide to rugby positions explained. And remember, even the best pass is wasted if it goes into touch—learn how the officials police that line in our article on the rugby touch judge role.
Your Passing Practice Checklist
Ready to train? Run through this list every session to build perfect muscle memory.
[ ] Gear Up: Ball, boots, space, and a partner/wall secured.
[ ] Warm Up: Dynamic stretches, light jogging, and some gentle short passes to get the hands warm.
[ ] Stance & Grip: Check feet are shoulder-width, knees bent, body side-on. Grip the ball on the seams.
[ ] Spin Pass Technique: Practice the wind-up, horizontal swing, wrist-snap for spin, and full follow-through. Start slow against a wall.
[ ] Pop Pass Technique: Practice the short, soft push from the chest, leading the receiver.
[ ] Moving Drills: Jog and pass with a partner, focusing on passing ahead of them.
[ ] Weak Hand Work: Dedicate at least 5 minutes to passing with your non-dominant hand.
* [ ] Cool Down: Finish with some static stretching.
Keep this checklist handy, and make these drills a regular part of your routine. Consistent, focused practice is how the pros at Twickenham do it, and it’s how you’ll see real improvement. Now get out there and pass the ball like you’re wearing the Rose! For more on building your core skills, head back to our central hub on rugby basics.
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