Double up the tip pass

WHY USE IT

Creating 2v1 mismatches is just as effective in close as in space.

set up

A 5m square per group of four players: two defenders with ruck pads, two attackers with a ball.

HOW TO PLAY

Activity: In the 5m square, the attacking pair enter from opposite corners. The ruck pad-holders stand close together (see top illustration). The ball carrier runs at one of them and, in the last 2m, passes to the supporting player, who runs onto the ball at pace and aims to smash between the two defenders who resist (see middle illustration). Players attack and defend in different partnerships in 30-second sets.

Development: Develop with the initial ball carrier following the supporter into contact and driving them from behind to add extra power (see bottom illustration).

NOTE: If the player latches before contact and then falls to the ground with the tackled player, it is a penalty against the latcher.

coaching points

• The supporting player runs at a faster speed than the ball carrier to create huge momentum and get past their team-mate when the contact area is reached.
• If they don’t smash through, the passing player places their shoulder behind the buttock of the driving player, who must be no higher than waist height of the defender and driving upwards in contact.
• Both attackers remain on their feet and use small, fast steps.

• The ball carrier runs at the first ruck pad-holder to engage them
• The support player runs towards the second ruck pad-holder

• Just before the ruck pad, the ball carrier pops the ball to their support player
• The support player aims for the gap between the ruck pads

• Either the support player takes the ball into contact, with the original ball carrier ‘latching on’ to them to drive them through the contact area...
• ...or the support player breaks through and offloads the ball to the original ball carrier