Small group overlap challenges

Should an attack be successful at a 2 v 1 every time? At the top level, most of the time you would have thought, yet you would be surprised how often they fail.

• Attack the defence to reduce their thinking time.
• Attack the ball when you receive it.
• Pass in front of the player so they catch and see the defence.

How about "inside shoulders", "drawing the defender", "square hips"?

Inside shoulders means attacking the defender so they are fixed in position to make the tackle. The ball carrier runs at the shoulder of the defender that is furthest from the next receiver. This draws the defender from that spare player. It is easier to do if the hips are facing up the pitch, in other words, square shoulders.

It is not, however, these aren’t principles. Because the defenders can be arriving from many different angles.

Here’s a collection of activities to work on the principles, and develop skills and understanding in a variety of scenarios.

• Square hips, hold feet 4 v 2
• Quick Coach: Corner try
• Two plus one v two
• Change your 2 v 1 expectations for young players