Inside pass support lines

The inside pass is an effective weapon against a sliding defence. The receiver hits a flat pass and a gap in the defensive line to break through. This activity finishes the break with a try.

Initially work on an inside pass against a sliding defence, with three attackers and two defenders. The player taking the inside pass waits until both defenders in front of him have been fixed then times his run to take the ball at pace.

1. Put three attackers at one end of the box, with one behind the front two
2. Put two defenders at the other end who come forward (use touch tackling)
3. The first attacker aims to finish his run in between the two defenders
4. The runner from behind aims for the corner flag, so he is not covered by the inside defender
5. Both front attackers drift on the pass from a feeder, with the outside attacking pass inside to the runner behind
6. The attackers do not pass if their defender has not moved with them

DEVELOPMENT

1. Develop by adding in more attackers and defenders
2. With more attackers, it is important that the play is not finished until there is a supporting pass

FURTHER DEVELOPMENT

1. Add in another set of attackers and defenders behind the front lines
2. Play 7v7 and more match like with adding a secondary deep defence and extra attackers who trail the ball carrier through the gap and support from deep and on his inside
3. Now the inside pass receiver has further options to pass, either inside or out

TECHNIQUE

Breaking through the initial defensive line is good but make your team finish off every line break through the use of support players making good running lines and timing their moment to take the scoring pass.

• The initial ball carrier pulls the defence across and gets them drifting.
• The support runners have to get into support after the inside pass has been made.