Defensive curves

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Defensive systems aim to cut down the time and space for the attack. When a defence is outnumbered, it has to drift with the pass. It still has to go forward but must curve out at the same time. This session works on the curves and the decision making behind it.

Warm up time: 5-7
Session time: 8-10
Development time: 10-15
Game time: 10-15
Warm down time: 5-8

What to think about

Defensive line speed is a risk and reward decision. The faster the line speed, the more chance a defender might get left behind or sidestepped by an attacker. However, good line speed means the attack is narrower, because it does not have the time to pass the ball wider. Attacking teams counter this by standing deeper and throwing longer passes. Therefore, this session helps the defence choose whether to run faster forward, or curve out if the ball is moved wider by a deeper attack.

set-up

Defenders: Go forward fast and read the attack. Drift up and out if they move the ball wide.
Keep your discipline as a line. The inside player is your guide.
Curve your run as you drift so you remain balanced.

What you get your players to do

Put two defenders on cones (as in picture 1). Get them to run forward over another cone (perhaps 2-5m in front of them). As they advance, three ruck pad holders come forward. A feeder passes to one of two attackers behind the ruck pads. If he passes to the first attacker, the defenders drive into the two pads in front of them. If he passes to the wider attacker, then the defenders drift out.

The defenders coming forward and the ball is passed out. If it goes to the “short” receiver, then the defenders drive into the pads in front of them. If it goes to the “wide” receiver, then the defenders drift out to the wider pads.

Development

Change the widths of the attacking players. Have the ruck pad holders run up faster. Take away the pads and have three attackers moving forward (but only use two-handed touch tackles on the chest). Run an attacking move (like a switch or miss pass).

Related Files

Vol-1-Issue-498-D-Cottrell-defensive-curves.pdfPDF, 570 KB

Three defenders cover five attackers, who are aligned except one who is slightly behind them.

Game situation

Put three defenders about 5m away from an attacking line in a 30m square. Put a feeder and five attackers in a line. Stand behind the defenders (as in picture 2). Indicate to the attack as the ball is passed out whether you want them to go wide or short. The defenders have to run forward, close down the space and then drift if necessary. Use two-handed touch tackles on the chest before moving to full contact.

As the ball is passed to the first receiver, indicate whether the attack should go wide or short. Defenders have to change their lines of running to cover that attack. Use two-handed touch tackles on the chest before moving to full contact.

What to call out

“Curve as you drift so you don’t lose your balance and keep in sight of your inside defender”
“Keep inside the attack – push them out”
“Communicate with confidence”

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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