Temple of doom

The running angles of support players are vital in maintaining continuity and keeping the ball away from the breakdown area. This session, “Temple of doom”, creates tackle line obstacles to affect the intended support line and unbalance the ball carrying team.

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

What to think about

The tackle tubes and bags are easily knocked down. The players will need good balance and footwork to dip under and through the gaps. Once through, as in the game where defenders may not be rushing to get out of the way, the support players will need to regain their feet and look to support. If the ball carrier finds he cannot get his pass away, look for problems like the support players are too flat or too far away.

set-up

1. Use good footwork to get through the obstacles.
2. The ball carrier must look for support as soon as they are through the obstacle.
3. Call for the ball if you are accelerating, but not if you are slowing down.

What you get your players to do

Set up the Temple of doom. Have one player pass the ball to a line of three others who start about five metres away from the Temple. The first receiver attacks the space to the side of the Temple and releases a pass to the next player who dips through the Temple. The furthest player goes through the other gap, with the original passer now in support. Once through the gap, the ball carrier aims to get a pass away immediately to any one of the players who are now running in support. Develop with passes from both sides, and passing the ball so an attacker can go through the second gap.