Rugby coaching attacking game for the back row

What you tell your players to do:

• Two back row forwards secure the ball, another organises the next forwards’ attack.
• The back row forward not in the ruck/maul gathers at least two other forwards near him to attack the defensive line. He receives the ball from the fly half (or centre).

What you get your players to do:

• Gather a minimum of six forwards in a bunch on one side of the pitch. The scrum half stands behind them and passes the ball to a back who runs at a line of three defenders.
• The forwards run to support, with two of the back row players joining the ruck to secure the ball.
• The scrum half waits five seconds before attempting to clear the ball to a back who feeds the spare forwards. These forwards are organised by the spare back row player to take the next attack forward.
• The defence starts passively, not competing for the ball, before you increase the intensity. You can use tackle shields or suits as well.

Development:

• Practice from a set piece, like a lineout or scrum.
• Go for more than two phases.

How would I put this into a game situation?

• Pack plus two: The scrum, the scrum half and fly half play against the rest of the team (and subs) in a 40m square.
• Start with the forwards kneeling on the ground in a scrum formation. The number 8 picks and goes at the defence. Let play develop, with two back row forwards going into every ruck and one staying out.

What to shout:

• “Win the ball first”
• “Don’t run into the space between your 9 and 10”
• “Attack gaps and get beyond the tackler”
• “Vary your set up from the ruck, sometimes close, sometimes further away”

What to look for:

• Getting in the way of quick ball. Players should scan the situation and judge when to move forward to take control. It is better to be too flat than stand in the way of the 9 and 10 link.
• Going to ground too early in possession of the ball. The ball carrier needs to make sure the support players are in place.

What to think about:

• Do you want to allocate these types of play to pre-arranged sequences? For instance, you may say which back row players are to go in after a scrum (normally 7 and 8), with 6 organising the next attack.
• Can the back row ball carrier pass before contact, to change the focus of the attack?

This article is taken from Smart Sessions, which can be read in Rugby Coach Weekly.