ELV scrum attack

LOGIN

Subscribe today to access over 2000+ drills, 350+ ready made practice plans, and more.

Attacks from the back of the scrum are going to be more effective with the new laws. You can replicate the control, pick up and pass from the number 8’s feet with this session. It develops the technique and the subsequent play options.

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

What to think about

The best scrummaging wheel:

Ideally, if you are going right (where their scrum half can’t interfere), then it is best for the scrum to move forward on “3”, the tighthead prop, or back on “1”, the loosehead prop.
If the wheel is the other way, then you will need a cancel call.
A quick strike and steady scrum is also a good option.

Choosing the plays:

Simple plays that get going forward quickly will make the most of the added space.
More sophisticated plays can be developed when defending sides are more adept at covering the initial breaks. These should not be practised at the expense of technical practice.

set-up

Make sure the ball is positioned on the correct foot to pick up (normally in front of the right foot).
“Pick and flick” to pass to 9 or “pick and go” right, aiming at the inside shoulder of the nearest back.
Supporting players, take flat passes to make the most of the space.

What you get your players to do

Get your 8 (and other potential 8s) to lean on a tackle tube and practise working the ball from the left foot to the right foot. You can roll the ball along the side of the tube to replicate the strike in a game. In a separate exercise, help your number 8 practise the “flick” of the ball from the ground. He can do this by holding the ball between his legs when on one knee, using his wrist and forearms only to pass to a player standing 5 metres away.

The number 8 works the ball onto his right foot. He practises flicking the ball away from the ground.

Development

Set up the players as the “ELV scrum attack” picture. Have 8 practise his pick up, either for a pass or to go himself. Start by rolling the ball along the side of the bag, then let the play develop.

Related Files

Advanced-159-ELV-scrum-attack.pdfPDF, 142 KB

Roll the ball along the side of the bag for the number 8 to control and decide how to play.

Game situation

Work through your plays from the back of the scrum. In the first example 8 goes and attacks the gap between the back of the scrum and the first backline defender. In the second example, 8 picks and passes straightaway. You can use this going blind or on the openside play, where the 9 acts like a fly half.

Here are two possible simple back row moves to develop which gain lots of ground quickly.

What to call out

“Pick and drive in one movement”
“Aim for the space in front of the backs, then look to offload”

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.

Editor's Picks

Wicked warm-ups

Being authentic, player relationships and 'why?'

Challenging players of differing abilities

Behind the scenes with: England U18s

Saracens Academy: Behind the scenes with the Wolfpack

Practice Plans

Go forward from the lineout

The session looks at running and support lines from the back of the lineout. There is a run up of around 10-15m for the ball carrier before ...

Long pass plays

Develop long passing for specific plays. This session works on running lines and timing as well as improving accuracy of passing in match-...

Four-man contact pods

This session works on players taking the ball into contact in groups of four. This is most likely in a game when you know the opposition is ...

Increase your options for 10

The fly half (10) has a controlling position to launch his team away from the opposition and into open spaces. He needs to be comfortable ...

Newsletter Sign Up

Join over 75k coaches that are saving time searching for fresh coaching ideas with our free email newsletter: ✔ New drills ✔ New games ✔ New warm-ups. Delivered direct to your email inbox

Disrupt opponents with an 'attack dog'

Sevens defenders must judge when to cut off the attack’s options and ’go get’ the space. JAMIE BARNWELL, of MLR team FreeJacks, puts this ...

Attacking framework - part 3: scrum

RICHARD WHIFFIN on establishing a sound structure to utilise at the set piece.

Intense defence

As a defence tires, the attack should become more successful. But if a defence starts well, it can find sources of energy to make sure they ...

3 ways to feed the wingers

Sometimes, your wide players want the ball but it seems to get trapped with the centres. RCW editor Dan Cottrell explains three of the ...

Coaches Testimonials

Gerald Kearney, Downtown Las Vegas Soccer Club

"I have been coaching competitive soccer for over 20 years in Las Vegas. I feel like you are my personal club director. My players and myself have learned a lot from your sessions. The exercises from Soccer Coach Weekly are easy to understand and implement. I never run out of ideas and there is always an exercise for whatever problem we need to fix. Thank you!"

Paul Butler, Florida, USA

"First and foremost, Soccer Coach Weekly is truly unique and exceptional for its clarity and for explaining the "why?", in addition to the "how?". Soccer Coach Weekly is also professionally managed - any issues, which are infrequent, are resolved in an expedient and courteous manner. I place Soccer Coach Weekly at the top of my recommendation list for any new or seasoned coach of the beautiful game."

Rick Shields, Springboro, USA

"I coach both young club players as well as players at the High School level and both genders. The talent range is wide at times, however with the use of Soccer Coach Weekly I am able to apply the information to all talent levels and player ages and make the session fun and challenging for all players. It has helped spark me at times when I am at a loss for what to do at the next training session or offers a different approach to a current problem."

Tony Green, Pierrefonds Titans, Quebec, Canada

"My team and myself are truly enjoying the Soccer Coach Weekly downloads. Pierrefonds Titans are a great group of U16 Females who compete in the Lac St-Louis Association of Montreal, Quebec, Canada."

Be a more effective, more successful rugby coach

In a recent survey 89% of subscribers said Rugby Coach Weekly makes them more confident, 91% said Rugby Coach Weekly makes them a more effective coach and 93% said Rugby Coach Weekly makes them more inspired.

SUBSCRIBE

Get Weekly Inspiration

All the latest techniques and approaches

Rugby Coach Weekly offers proven and easy to use rugby drills, coaching sessions, practice plans, small-sided games, warm-ups, training tips and advice.

We've been at the cutting edge of rugby coaching since we launched in 2005, creating resources for the grassroots youth coach, following best practice from around the world and insights from the professional game.