Get ready to blitz

Players need to position themselves outside their intended target to make sure they come from out to in on the “blitz”. This session works on alignment to blitz as pairs and threes and then how backs and forwards connect in defence.

Warm up time: 5-7
Session time: 8-10
Development time: 10-15
Game time: 15-20
Warm down time: 5-8

What to think about

The most important elements of the session for me are:

• Work to get to the outside shoulder of the attacker you are marking.
• Move up to gain ground and move from out to in.
• Inside leg inside shoulder tackle.
• Always leave the outside attacker. When these situations are put into a full defensive blitz chain he will be taken care of by the extra defenders.
• Don’t get flat footed or planted - keep moving forward.

set-up

1. Position yourself quickly on the outside of the player you are marking.
2. Come forward fast.
3. Outside players look out for attackers coming into the line.

What you get your players to do

Set up three attackers and a feeder in a 10m square divided into four, with one attacker in each box and an attacker behind them. Put a defender on the inside corner of each box (see picture 1). When you say:”GO”, the defenders run to the other corner before the ball is then released to the attackers. Defenders cut down the space for attackers who aim to get the ball to the spare player. Use touch tackling with two hands on the chest of the ball carrier.