Defend in threes and fours

WHY USE IT

Players must cover narrow and wide spaces, which will improve their tackling, communication and defence ethic.

SET UP

Ruck pads, cones and a 30m square split in two.

HOW TO PLAY

Activity: Set up one player and a ball next to a wide gate of cones, and another next to a narrow gate of cones. The distances between cones should reflect the players’ age and ability. Call out which set of cones the defenders must run to (“Narrow!” or “Wide”). They set up to cover this gate. When the player by that gate bends down to touch the ball, the defenders move forward to tackle the ruck pad-holders, leaving the last defender free. The defenders return to the middle to repeat the exercise.

Development: Set up a 6v4, with coloured cones to indicate narrow and wide widths to cover. Call out which colour the attackers must get past, while the defence starts from the red gate. Start with touch-tackling to check the line is working; then move on to full contact.

Game situation: Play 8v4. Start at the side of the pitch and say if the next attack is wide or narrow. To start, the ball must be passed off the ground and the defence must be at least 2m from it. Play full contact, and stop if a ruck or maul forms.

COACHING POINTS

• Stay onside and call out which player you are tackling.
• Look ahead and still know who is next to you.
• Move up together.

ACTIVITY

1. Call out either “Narrow!” or “Wide!”. The defenders move from the middle cones to the appropriate area
2. When this player touches the ball, the defence and attack move forward. There should be a double tackle somewhere, if possible

DEVELOPMENT

1. Call a colour, which determines the width the defenders have to cover and where the attack can get through

GAME SITUATION

1. On your command, the attack and defence have three seconds to position themselves to play in a narrow or wide space