Offload or not

Continuity out of the tackle is one of the most powerful weapons to break down defences. Players have to decide whether they can offload or go to ground and wait for support. Players must either risk making a pass or keep the ball and present it safely.

Warm up time: 5
Session time: 6-9
Development time: 6-9
Game time: 15-20
Warm down time: 7

What to think about

Though you want to concentrate on good technique for offloads and ball presentation, it is more crucial to consider the risks and rewards of continuity. You want players to risk offloading in this session to make sure they know what their limitations are and how they can improve in the contact. Since support players come from unexpected angles, like in a match, communication is important. It helps give the ball carrier the confidence to pass the ball. If they generate this confidence in training, they are more likely to offload in the game.

set-up

1. Ball carrier, listen for your support: don’t pass unless you are certain of the support.
2. Support players – tell the ball carrier what to do – pass or go to ground.

What you get your players to do

Set up three attackers facing you in a press-up position. Put a ball in front of the middle player and a ruck pad on the ground 5m behind these players and a ruck pad holder a further 3m beyond. Shout “GO” and the middle player picks up the ball, turns and runs to the ruck pad. He falls on the pad, either on to his hip or knees. Point to one of the other players at any stage to release them as a support player. If the ball carrier can, he passes to the support player. Otherwise he presents the ball and the support player protects him. The ruck pad holder can come forward to either cover the ball carrier or support player.