Tuesday Skills #1: How to Spin Pass a Rugby Ball — Technique, Drills and a 3-Week Plan
The spin pass is the pass that turns a 10s overlap into a try. Here is how to grip it, throw it and finish it, the mistakes that make it wobble, and the solo, partner and team drills that will make it reliable off both hands.
TUESDAY SKILLS #1 · Brought to you by Clann13 — an official APR partner. A new rugby skill, and how to practice it, every Tuesday.
Learning how to spin pass a rugby ball is one of the best investments any player can make, and in 10s rugby it matters even more. A good spin pass travels further, flies flatter and arrives faster than a standard "push" pass, which means it can put a winger into space before the defense has time to drift across. Welcome to the first episode of Tuesday Skills, American Pro Rugby's weekly series: one skill, explained properly, with drills you can take straight to training.
This guide covers what the spin pass is and when to use it, the technique step by step, the coaching cues that fix the most common problems, a set of drills for training alone, with a partner and with a team, and a simple three-week plan. Everything here is built on established coaching advice from World Rugby, Rugby Coach Weekly, Rugby World and other coaching resources, which we cite at the end. It is a starting point, not a replacement for a good coach watching you throw.
- What it is: a pass where the ball rotates around its long axis (like a spiral), so it cuts through the air fast and flat.
- Why it matters: it reaches players in wide space quickly, which is exactly where 10s games are won.
- The one thing to remember: both hands finish pointing at the target. If your top hand doesn't, the ball dips short.
- How to get good: short distances first, both hands equally, then add running, distance, defenders and decisions.
What Is a Spin Pass in Rugby?
A spin pass (also called a spiral pass) is a pass in which the passer rolls the ball off the fingertips so that it rotates around its long axis as it travels. Compare it to a "push" or "pop" pass, where the ball is pushed toward the target with little or no rotation. The rotation stabilizes the ball in flight, much like the spiral on a football throw, so it holds a flatter line and loses less speed over distance.
Rugby Coach Weekly sums up the case for it: a spin pass should travel faster through the air than a standard pass, on a flatter trajectory, and it can carry further, which gives the receiver more time to adjust their running line. It is the pass scrum-halves use to clear the ball away from a ruck, scrum or lineout, and the one backs use to skip a defender and hit a teammate in space.
Like every pass in rugby, it must not go forward. World Rugby Law 11 says a player must not intentionally throw or pass the ball forward, and an accidental throw forward gives the other team a scrum. A long spin pass to a sprinting winger is exactly where that law gets tested, so timing and direction matter as much as power.
When to use it, and when not to
The spin pass is a weapon, not a default. Coaches who teach it well are clear about its limits. Rugby Coach Weekly lists the trade-offs: setting up the hands and turning the hips takes time, the ball's shape can make it less accurate than a push pass, turning the hands over is less reliable under heavy pressure, and players often spin hard off their strong hand and pass "normally" off the weak one whatever the situation calls for.
| Use the spin pass when… | Use a pop or push pass when… |
|---|---|
| The target is 5+ meters away and in space | Your support runner is right beside you |
| You're clearing from the base of a ruck or scrum | You're in or near contact |
| You want to skip a defender to hit an overlap | A short, soft pass will hold the defender better |
| The receiver has time to adjust their line | Accuracy at close range matters more than speed |
The best passers have both and pick the right one in a split second. That decision is what separates a good 10s back from a great one.
How to Spin Pass: The Technique Step by Step
These steps describe a pass from right to left (the ball goes to a teammate on your left). Reverse everything for a left-to-right pass. Practice both from day one.
- See the target first. Look at your receiver before the ball arrives. World Rugby's teaching resources make this the first point of every pass: hold the ball in two hands and look at the target.
- Grip with the passing hand behind and under. Your right hand (the power hand) sits on the back half of the ball, slightly underneath, fingers spread wide across the seams. Your left hand (the guide hand) sits on top, toward the front. A strong, correct grip is the foundation; former England fly-half Toby Flood calls it essential for the spin pass.
- Keep the passing elbow high. For a right-to-left pass, keep the right elbow up. Flood explains that a high elbow keeps the nose of the ball up and maintains the forward spin that gives the pass its force.
- Load from the far hip. Carry the ball across to your right hip. Turn your hips and shoulders slightly toward the target. The power comes from the hips and arms moving together, not from a flick of the wrists alone.
- Point the nose at the target, slightly up. Before you release, the front of the ball should point at the target and tilt a little upward.
- Sweep through and roll it off the fingertips. Drive the ball across your body toward the target. As your arms extend, your right hand draws up and across the back of the ball, rolling it off the fingertips to create spin. Your left hand guides the direction and lets go.
- Finish with both hands pointing at the target. This is the non-negotiable. Rugby Coach Weekly's priority point is that both hands finish pointing toward the intended target, and that the top hand matters most: if it doesn't finish toward the target, the pass tends to drop low before it reaches the receiver.
- Follow your pass. Once the ball has gone, run in support. A pass is not finished until you are available for the next one.
Coaching cues and what they fix
| Cue | What it fixes |
|---|---|
| "Eyes, then ball" | Passing blind or to where the receiver used to be |
| "Elbow up" | Nose of the ball dropping, wobbly flight |
| "Hip to target" | Arms-only passes that lack distance |
| "Fingertips, not palm" | No spin, ball slides out flat |
| "Finish at the target, hold it" | Passes that dip or sail wide |
| "Flat, not loopy" | High, slow passes that give defenders time to drift |
| "In front of the chest" | Receivers having to check their stride to catch |
| "Pass and follow" | Passer standing still after the release |
Common Spin Pass Mistakes (and How to Fix Them)
1. The ball dips short of the receiver
Why: the top hand finishes pointing at the ground or across your body instead of at the target. Fix: exaggerate the finish. Hold your end position for a two-count after every pass in drills. Rugby Coach Weekly suggests exactly this, holding the finishing position as long as possible so players can check their own technique.
2. The ball wobbles end over end
Why: the ball is coming off the palm, or the nose has dropped. Fix: go back to short-range work, raise the passing elbow and focus on letting the ball roll off the fingertips. Don't add distance until the spiral is clean.
3. Strong hand only
Why: almost everyone starts with a dominant side. Fix: split every drill 50/50, or do more reps on the weak side. A one-sided passer is easy to defend because defenders know which way the ball is going.
4. Big wind-up, slow release
Why: trying to generate power with a backswing. Fix: catch and pass in one motion. Bring the ball to the far hip on the catch, not after it. Flood's advice for short passes applies here too: catch early and get the ball in and out of your hands quickly.
5. Spinning every pass
Why: the spin pass feels good when it works. Fix: in games, reward the right choice, not the prettiest pass. If the support runner is two meters away, a pop pass is the better option.
6. Looking at the ball instead of the target
Why: nerves or a poor catch. Fix: drills where the receiver moves or calls a number, so the passer has to look up to succeed.
Spin Pass Drills
Start every session with a proper warm-up and a few minutes of easy catch-and-pass. Then pick drills from the level that suits you. The rule from Sportplan's spin pass progressions is worth repeating: don't increase distance or speed until players can pass consistently over a short distance.
Solo drills (no partner needed)
1. Lying-down spirals. Lie on your back and spin the ball straight up a meter or two, catching it each time. Focus on the ball rolling off your fingertips with a clean spiral. Reps: 3 sets of 20 on each hand. Progression: higher, then do it standing.
2. Wall passing. Stand 3 meters from a solid wall, pick a target spot at chest height and spin pass at it, catching the rebound. Reps: 3 sets of 15 each way. Progression: step back to 5 and then 7 meters; then do it while shuffling sideways along the wall.
3. Hold-the-finish reps. Spin pass at a target (a post, a cone on a bin) and freeze your follow-through for a two-count, checking that both hands point at the target. Reps: 20 each way. This is the drill that fixes the dipping pass.
Partner drills
4. One-hand spin (static). Partners stand 4–5 meters apart. Using only the passing hand, spin the ball to your partner: hand under and slightly behind the ball, elbow raised, nose of the ball pointing at the target, then draw the hand up and across the ball and follow through. Sportplan's version has players make 10 passes on one hand, then turn to face the other way and make 10 with the other hand. Progression: move the cones apart a meter at a time.
5. Two-hand spin on the jog. Partners jog down the field 5 meters apart, spin passing to each other. Receiver gives a target with hands up. Reps: 4 lengths of 30 meters, then swap sides. Progression: increase the pace, then the distance.
6. Pressure pass. Adapted from Rugby Coach Weekly's low-level spin pass drill: a feeder pops the ball to the passer on the move while a defender stands opposite. Once the passer has caught, the defender can step forward, and the passer must spin pass to a catcher the moment the defender commits. Score a point for each accurate pass and each finish where both hands point at the target.
Small group and team drills
7. Three-line spin. Three players in a line, 5–7 meters apart, run up the field. The ball goes from the inside player to the middle, to the outside, then back in. Every pass is a spin pass. Progression: widen the gaps; the middle player sometimes skips (inside player throws straight to the outside player).
8. Read and pass (decision drill). Based on Rugby Coach Weekly's high-level drill: the passer attacks square toward two receivers standing near a line of cones. A defender runs into the space in front of one receiver. The passer must spot which receiver is free and hit them with an accurate medium or long spin pass. This builds the skill that actually matters on game day: passing under decision pressure.
9. 3v2 skip game. Three attackers against two defenders in a 15-meter-wide channel. Attackers score by getting the ball over the line; touch tackles only. Award a bonus point for a try created by a skip pass. Progression: shrink the channel or add a third defender who starts late.
10. Base clearance. For scrum-halves and anyone who plays near the ruck: place the ball on the ground as if at the base of a ruck, step to it and clear it with a spin pass to a runner arriving at pace. Reps: 10 each side. Progression: add a defender chasing from behind the "ruck".
A Simple 3-Week Spin Pass Practice Plan
Three short sessions a week are enough. Add them to the start of team training or do them on your own.
| Week | Focus | Session (15–20 min) |
|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | Clean spiral, both hands | Lying-down spirals (3×20 each hand) · Wall passing at 3 m (3×15 each way) · One-hand spin with a partner at 4 m (2×10 each hand) |
| Week 2 | Distance and running | Wall passing at 5–7 m · Two-hand spin on the jog (4×30 m each side) · Hold-the-finish reps (20 each way) · Base clearance (10 each side) |
| Week 3 | Pressure and decisions | Three-line spin with skips · Pressure pass with a defender · Read and pass decision drill · 3v2 skip game to finish |
Track it simply: out of 10 passes, how many arrived in front of your partner's chest with a clean spiral? Aim for 8 out of 10 on both hands before moving up a level.
Why the Spin Pass Matters in 10s Rugby
The APR Games is played as 10s rugby: 10 players a side, typically five forwards and five backs, over two 20-minute halves. Fewer defenders across the width of a full-size pitch means more space for the attack, and space is only useful if you can get the ball into it before the defense closes. That is the spin pass's job.
In 10s, one well-timed skip pass can turn a two-on-one into a try, because there is rarely a covering defender to save the situation. It also matters at the breakdown: with fewer players around the ruck, a quick, accurate clearance from the base gets the ball away before the defensive line resets. If you want to see how the roles split across a 10s team, our guide to 10s rugby positions explains who usually does the passing and where.
APR's view: the teams that win 10s tournaments are rarely the biggest. They are the ones whose passes go to the right player, at the right time, at chest height. Get your spin pass reliable off both hands and you become a player every 10s team wants. Read more about how 10s rugby works at the APR Games.
The five founding Las Vegas franchises will all be playing that fast, wide game in May. The teams shown in today's illustrations, Downtown Rugby and the Vegas Blackjacks, are two of them; see all five on the APR teams page.
Sharpen your skills with the pros in Vegas.
The APR Coaching Clinic runs May 28–31, 2027 in Las Vegas. Then put it into practice at the APR Games over Memorial Day weekend. Player entry is $299 and includes your official APR Games team jersey, full kit bag, a minimum of three guaranteed pool games, opening-night access and a player profile on americanprorugby.com.
Safety First: Train Smart
Passing is not a contact skill, but the drills in this guide involve running, changes of direction and, in the game-based drills, defenders. Warm up properly before every session, keep game drills to touch or tag unless you are training under a qualified coach, and stop if anything hurts.
If you are new to rugby, learn the game under a qualified coach. World Rugby's free online Rugby Ready course covers safe preparation for training and playing, and USA Rugby requires all coaches to complete Rugby Ready and World Rugby's concussion awareness course. This article is a guide to practice, not a substitute for coaching. If you live in or near Las Vegas, our guide on how to start playing rugby as an adult in Las Vegas is a good place to begin.
Tuesday Skills is brought to you by Clann13, an official APR partner that makes supplements for athletes. Thanks to Clann13 for backing a free weekly skills series for American rugby players.
The APR Games is made possible by our partners. Players and fans can support the businesses that support American rugby:
Coming to Las Vegas for the Coaching Clinic or the Games? Luna Appleton has guides to where to stay and eat. Building a club and want your training ground to look the part? American LED Signage does club and venue signage.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a spin pass in rugby?
A spin pass, or spiral pass, is a pass where the ball rotates around its long axis as it travels. The spin keeps it stable in the air, so it flies flatter, faster and further than a standard push pass.
How do you spin pass a rugby ball?
Look at the target, grip the ball with your passing hand behind and slightly under it, keep that elbow high, carry the ball to your far hip, then sweep it across your body and roll it off your fingertips. Finish with both hands pointing at the target.
Why does my spin pass dip or fall short?
Usually because your top hand is not finishing toward the target. Rugby coaches stress that both hands must finish pointing at the receiver. Practice holding your follow-through after every pass to build the habit.
Is a spin pass better than a normal pass?
Not always. It is better for longer passes, clearing from the base of a ruck and skipping defenders. A pop or push pass is often more accurate and quicker to release at short range or under heavy pressure. Good players use both.
How long does it take to learn the spin pass?
Most players can throw a clean short spin pass within a few sessions. Making it reliable off both hands, at distance, on the run and under pressure takes weeks of regular practice. Our three-week plan is a good starting point.
Can I practice the spin pass on my own?
Yes. Lying-down spirals, wall passing and hold-the-finish reps at a fixed target all work without a partner. Add partner and team drills once your spiral is consistent.
Can a spin pass be a forward pass?
Yes, if the ball travels forward. World Rugby Law 11 says players must not throw or pass the ball forward. An accidental throw forward gives the other team a scrum and an intentional one is a penalty, so aim your passes flat or backward.
Why is the spin pass important in 10s rugby?
10s rugby has 10 players a side across a full-width pitch, so there is more space to attack. A fast, flat spin pass gets the ball into that space before defenders can drift across, which is how many tries are created.
Is there coaching at the APR Games?
Yes. The APR Coaching Clinic runs May 28–31, 2027 in Las Vegas, alongside the APR Games on Memorial Day weekend, May 29–31, 2027. Join the waitlist at americanprorugby.com.
Are the players in the images real?
No. The images are illustrations of fictional players wearing the kits of two APR franchises, Downtown Rugby and the Vegas Blackjacks. They do not show a real match or result.
Keep Reading
Next Tuesday: Tuesday Skills #2 — catching and "hands ready". Follow @americanprorugby or sign up to the APR newsletter so you don't miss it.
Sources
- Rugby Coach Weekly: Priority skills for spin passing
- Rugby Coach Weekly: The pros and cons of the spin pass
- Rugby World: Toby Flood — How to pass with precision
- Sportplan: Developing the spin (one-hand spin progression)
- World Rugby Passport: Rugby skills teaching resource (passing key factors)
- World Rugby Laws: Law 11 — Knock forward or throw forward
- USA Rugby: Coaching training and education (Rugby Ready, Level 1)
This guide is for general education and is based on the coaching sources above, current as of October 20, 2026. It is not a substitute for instruction from a qualified coach. Tuesday Skills is sponsored by Clann13; Clann13 had no input on the coaching content. Images are illustrations of APR franchises and do not depict real players or matches. APR Games details may be updated; full rules, squad sizes and eligibility will be confirmed with player registration. Questions? Contact us.