Support, pace and chase

WHY USE IT

This session develops taking the pass at pace, supporting the ball carrier and moving off line before passing.

SET UP

At least 11 cones and a ball.

HOW TO PLAY

Activity: In a 12m square, set up a coned start gate and two, 2m coned squares. Two attackers stand by a single cone, while a defender waits in the coned gate (see the top illustration for the exact placements). A feeder passes to the first attacker, who scores a point for taking the pass on the run. They advance with their support player. The defender, 4m behind the attackers, now starts their chase. They round the cone, while the ball carrier aims for the first 2m square. The ball carrier scores another point by getting off a pass to their support runner, as in the middle illustration. The support runner adds the final point by running through the second 2m box and scoring a try without being touched (as in the bottom illustration). They get no points if they miss their square. Adjust the squares so that players pass left-to-right, then right-to-left.

COACHING POINTS

• Hands up to the pass.
• Run upright and eyes up.
• Keep ball off the chest.
• Call for ball in support.
• Pass into the path of the runner.

1. Two attackers (R1, R2) run forward after a feeder (F) passes the ball to the first one

2. A defender advances when the attackers get the ball

3. A catch on the run is worth one point

1. R1 goes through the first square, then passes successfully to R2, without being touched, to score another point

2. The defender rounds the cone to chase R1

1. R2 runs through the second square and adds the final point by scoring a try without being touched