Defending the block

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Individual defenders have to react quickly to changes in potential ball carriers. This is because attacking teams use “blockers” and dummy runners to fool defences. A “blocker” runs flat and sometimes in front of the pass. This session works on a defender who has to slide onto the ball carrier, sometimes at the last moment.

Warm up time: 7-10
Session time: 10-15
Development time: 10-15
Game time: 15-20
Warm down time: 7-10

What to think about

What height should your players be tackling at?

Given the late reactions to the situation, players should use low risk tackles, aiming at thigh height. Players must keep their eyes open and be balanced before contact.

What sort of communication will your defenders be using?

The defence needs to focus on keeping consistent spacing, since there is more than one line of attackers. Communication is required as the defenders shift sideways as well as up. Though the defence needs to move up at the same time and close down the opposition attack, the defence also needs to move across together.

set-up

Stay balanced and commit to the tackle when you are sure of your target.
Step into the tackle with your eyes open.

What you get your players to do

Put two players with ruck pads about 2 metres apart. Set up a defender no more than 2 metres from the defenders. Another player with a ball stands 3 metres to one side. The ball carrier passes the ball at one of the pads and the defender has to tackle that pad before the ball hits the ground. Change sides, make the defender stand closer or further away, remove the pads and finally have the players run onto the ball.

The tackler waits until the ball hits either pad, and then tackles that pad before the ball hits the ground.

Development

Five players stand about 3 metres apart holding pads. Three attackers stand behind them, with a scrum half to one side. Two defenders stand two metres in front of the pads. The attacking team run forwards, passing a ball down the line. The defenders can only tackle the ball carrier once they have gone beyond the pads. The attacking team can go through any gap.

Related Files

Advanced-144-defending-the-block.pdfPDF, 165 KB

The defenders tackle the ball carrier who has run through one of the gaps between the pads.

Game situation

Set up a 6 v 3 game situation. The attack lines up with a scrum half, three players in a line, and two in front. The defence starts 2 metres back from a “gain line”. The ball is passed out and the defenders have to react to either a pass to one of the players in the front line, or a move from the players in the line behind.

The defenders shift and adjust to react to possible passes to front or back line players.

What to call out

“Head up and keep your feet moving before making a decision”
“Don’t get too low before moving into the tackle”
“Listen to your team in defence. Give clear instructions”
“Finish the tackle and compete for the ball”

Dan Cottrell

Dan is a practising RFU Level 3 coach and coach educator. He coaches with the Bristol Bears DPP programme, is head coach of Bristol Schools U18s and the Rugby Performance coach for Bristol Grammar School.

He was head coach of Swansea Schools U15, Young Ospreys Academy, assistant coach with the Wales Women's Team for the 2010 World Cup, director of rugby for Cranleigh School, Surrey. He played for Bath, Bristol, Esher and Clifton, South West division, Gloucestershire and Surrey.

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