Out of bounds

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Attacking down the touch lines has risks and rewards. Defences don’t tend to pack players into the 5m channel so there are more gaps. However, there is the risk of being bundled into touch. “Out of bounds” works on players keeping in play and going forward.

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

What to think about

There are potential rewards for attacking the 5m channel. But these must be balanced against the risks of being put into touch. Top teams are exploiting this channel more often. This is because it is rare for teams to put more than one defender in the 5m channel unless they are close to their try line. This session builds on the lessons from Smart Sessions 211, Touchline attack.

set-up

Attack through the 5m channel but keep closer to the 5m line than the touch line.
Take contact by stepping inside rather than risk going into touch or throwing a wild pass.

What you get your players to do

Put two ruck pad holders about 5m and 10m up one side of the channel. Get a player standing on the same side as the ruck pad holders to pass the ball to another player running into the channel. The ball carrier has to reach the far end of the channel without going out of bounds along the side. However, he can put one foot out on the right hand side. Swap ends so the ball carrier is attacking with the pad holders coming from his other side.

The attacker aims to score at the far end. He cannot step out on the left hand side, but can put one foot out on the right hand side.

Development

Put two defenders and two attackers in one channel and another attacker in a second channel. Only one of the defenders can go into the second channel. Scoring at the end of this channel is worth one point. Attackers get two points for scoring at the end of the well defended channel. The game encourages the attackers to make decisions over when to use the less well defended 5m channel. Use full contact.

Related Files

Advanced-243-out-of-bounds.pdfPDF, 128 KB

Start with this set up. Only one defender can go into the “one point” channel.

Game situation

Split into five attackers and four defenders. Play normal rugby. The attacking side can only have one attacker at any one time in the channels at the edge of pitch. The defenders can put in any number. This can lead to turnovers in this channel. Any infringement, try or turnover leads to a re-start.

Only one attacker can go into the wide channels. Re-start if there is an infringement, turnover or try. Let the attack have five attempts.

What to call out

“Keep the ball in the outside arm”
“Tend away from the touch line”
“Step hard into any contact”

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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