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LOGINWorld-beating support
Make your team’s ball carriers believe they can achieve anything by providing them with the best support that the team can provide.
WHY USE IT
Support players make more decisions than ball carriers. They have to second guess the ball carrier and the movement of the defence.
set up
A 15m box and a 30m box with three 10m squares across the middle.
HOW TO PLAY
ACTIVITY: Three defenders and five attackers operate. One attacker passes to the front attacker in the middle. The other attackers run around designated cones to support the ball carrier. The attack aims to score over the end of the box. Use full tackling and rucks.
GAME SITUATION: Split into four attackers and five defenders. Put the attack at one end of the box and set up the defenders as in the bottom illustration. As the attack moves into Zone A, the first set of defenders comes forward. If the attack gets through to Zone B, they can only move through the box the attacker runs into first. As soon as they are in Zone B, the second set of defenders moves forward. If the attack gets through this box, it aims to score over the far end, across the whole of Zone C. Zone A defenders can recycle themselves to defend in Zone C, moving forward from the try line. Award a point for each zone completed. Allow rucks and mauls. Restart on infringements.
Coaching points
- React to the ball carrier.
- Communicate with the ball carrier on what to do.
- The support player needs to weigh up their options and tell the ball carrier what they want
Related Files
- 9 feeds the attacker who aims to beat the defenders in front of them
- Three attackers come from different positions to be in support of the ball carrier
- The defenders come forward to tackle
- Adjust the starting distances to suit the skills and abilities of your players
- Two defenders come forward into Zone B, depending which box the attack moves down
- Three defenders come forward into Zone A. They can recycle themselves in Zone C
- The attack moves forward in Zone A, and then, once in Zone B, stays in that box, before attacking anywhere in Zone C
Dan Cottrell
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