Developing GI ball carrier contact skills

In a one-on-one matchup, the ball carrier would ideally avoid one player. However, in the confines of a game, this may not happen because of the time and space the ball carrier has to adjust to and the size and skill set of the defender.

GI contact training

The first exercise to build a better GI ball carrier is to provide them with a number of scenarios to work out.

In the pictures, we have used a box, which is initially split in half. We change the scenario in four ways:

1. Change the defender so there is sometimes a prop and sometimes a winger.
2. Change the starting position of the defender, so he comes from different angles and from different distances.
3. Change the number of defenders to beat.
4. Change the width of the attack.

The session has so many variations that it can be worked on over many weeks. Always start with a pass to the runner.

GI targets

The target will always be to get beyond the tackler. There are three levels of decision involved. You can develop each player by differentiating that player has reached and then helping move to the next stage. Remember, they need to understand the reasons for making those decisions.

Basic

1. Attacks the edges of the defender.
2. Keeps the ball away from the defender.

Intermediate

1. Chooses the type of contact that suits the opposition defender (fend, twist, powerstep).
2. Shapes body to give an appropriate release of the ball.

Advanced

1. Controls the contact to suit the situation, so not only do they choose the right type of contact according to the defender, they can deliver the right sort of ball according to the game plan. For instance, does your team play with offloads, quick rucks or targets for mauls and pick-and-go drives?
2. Identifies their own strengths in the contact.