Tripods

LOGIN

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

The most simple support system has one player either side of the ball carrier. This tripod formation means that the ball carrier can turn either way in contact or before contact to find support. However the system only works if the supporting players react correctly. This session creates situations for the supporters to read the movements of the ball carrier.

Warm up time: 7-10
Session time: 20-25
Development time: 10-15
Game time: 10-15
Warm down time: 7-10

What to think about

Are the support players reading the ball carrier’s body movements and reacting to this?Ask the support players what they notice about the ball carrier’s movements before he changes direction. If he drops his right shoulder before moving left, the support players should see this initial movement and react.
Does the ball carrier use a variety of passes depending on the situation?Make sure the initial ball carrier is faced with a number of defensive situations, where he has to pass to both sides, using a variety of passing options including one handed.

set-up

When the ball carrier moves everyone else reacts.
Supporting players: keep some depth and width enabling you to deal with any situation that occurs.
Look to offload the ball to support players and keep forward momentum all the way to the line.

What you get your players to do

Split your squad into groups of three attackers and two defenders with contact shields. The middle attacker starts with the ball and attacks the two defenders. He has a number of options to beat the two defenders. He can use evasion, passing or contact skills. He can draw and pass the ball, or actively try and beat the defenders or take contact and offload. The two other attackers keep a triangle “tripod” shape and react to the ball carrier. They are in the best position to do this if they maintain some depth and a bit of width.

The starting position of the attack.

Development

Add two more defenders and three more attackers, but keep the same tripod formation.
Encourage the players to develop situations where the tripod formation can be used from restarts or in game play.

Related Files

Core-91-tripods.pdfPDF, 316 KB

The ball carrier has decided to attack one of the defenders. The other reacts as do the two support players who change their angle of running.

Game situation

Play a game where you overload the attack 6 v 4. The six attackers must try to get into a formation where there are two to three front line players with the supporters forming a second line. This second line of players is crucial as they can take passes at pace, run at good angles for space and support the front line when contact is made. The players will find it easier from a restart but will have to work hard at getting into the right formation from phase play. Start with touch before moving into full contact.

In this scenario the ball carrier has taken contact. The two support players react by angling in on the contact point to receive an off load or drive.

What to call out

“Move towards a space, not the defender”
“See how the defenders react, before making a decision”
“Respond to the ball carrier’s decision”

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.