Rugby union - essential skills and techniques Rugby union spin pass

A spin pass enables a team to quickly pass a ball and help maintain possession.

Stage one

• Stand on balls of feet in opposition (left foot forward), knees slightly bent with body facing forward.

Stage two

• Hold the ball out in front of you with extended arms.
• Put the right hand on the bottom half of the right hand side of the ball.
• Point the thumb up along the seam of the ball and spread the fingers around the side of the ball.
• Put the left hand on the top half of the left hand side of the ball.
• Point the thumb up along the seam of the ball and spread the fingers around the side of the ball.

Stage three

• Bring the ball in towards your waist and flex your elbows at a 90° angle.
• Rotate your shoulders round until your left shoulder is pointing forward.
• Draw the ball back across to the right hip, keeping your elbows slightly bent.

Stage four

• Sweep the ball across your body, keeping the elbows close to your body and shift your weight from your back leg to your front foot.
• Release the ball when arms are nearly fully extended with a flick of the wrists and fingers.
• Follow through with your fingers pointing to the target.