Rugby tactic to outflank defences

Wall of decoy by Colin Ireland, a qualified sports consultant with years of experience coaching and teaching rugby at every level of the game from Minis to international squads.

The use of screen passing, where the ball is passed behind attacking decoy players to wider attackers, evolved from rugby league. It is now a big part of rugby union also. Here is the guide to practising and using the tactic.

The decoy wall

Two players run forward as the “decoy wall”, with the ball being passed behind them to a deeper receiver on an outward arcing run outside the defence.

Reasons to use the screen pass

1. If the opposing defensive alignment is moving up fast in a blitz-style defence. The screen pass not only checks the defence by the use of the flat decoy runners but also gives your wide receivers more time and space to work in.
2. After attacking close in on several occasions, the decoy of tight runners with the screen pass behind them creates space out wide by fixing the close-in defenders.
3. For less-skilled or novice players, it ensures there is less pressure on them when receiving the ball, so decision making and the execution of skills is easier.

Top tips

1. The decoy players must look as though they are to receive the ball. If your players have difficulty, tell them they are getting a flat pass, when in reality you want to use them as decoys.
2. Now and again a pass should be to one of the two decoys to keep them on their toes and to plant a seed of doubt in the minds of the defenders.
3. Ensure all your players experience each position and role. You want your scrum half and stand off to be the clearing passer and first receiver but be positive and ask other players to take on these roles.
4. Try changing the number of players that make up the decoy wall from one to four or even five.

Turning practice into reality

The wall of decoy is simpler to execute if planned from a set piece. However, it probably has more effect if done from phase play where forwards are used as decoys and the wide deep receiver is up against a mixture of players – some quick but some slow.
Use live practice with your squad and as just one piece of your attacking game plan.

Timing and passing

The timing of the long pass is key to ensure the wide, deep player receives the ball at top speed and without breaking stride. This really helps take the receiver outside the defenders even if they drift.

Practise this off both sides, using cones as the decoy runners positions and the gap to run into.

This article is from Rugby Coach Weekly.