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LOGINCover all the bases
Develop your players’ drift-defence techniques by building up their line speed, communication and changes of angle when outnumbered.
WHY USE IT
It is important to react to changing angles without losing connection with team-mates.
set up
Cones and balls. Adjust the distances to suit the players.
HOW TO PLAY
ACTIVITY: Set up two sets of four cones about 10m apart, with the cones offset. Start three ruck pad-holders on a cone each and three defenders on cones at the other end. Have the ruck pad-holders and defenders come forward. The pad-holders can move up and across in any direction, aiming to beat the defenders.
GAME SITUATION: Set up cones as a ruck and add a cone where defenders can start. Five attackers and a feeder aim to beat three defenders. One attacker has to come from behind the front line.
GAME: Play 7v7 touch rugby. When the ball carrier is touched, count down from three. Three defenders must go into a press-up position in front of the ball carrier. After three seconds, the ball carrier can release the ball and all players can join in. Turn over the ball on mistakes and after three tackles. Develop by mixing up the length of the countdown. If defenders aren’t in position in time, restart the tackle count.
Coaching points
- Come up together and move across together.
- Don’t turn the shoulders - keep them facing up the pitch.
- Don’t step back to make a tackle - trust the inside player.
1. Three ruck pad-holders come forward, aiming to beat the defenders
2. Put three defenders on three of four cones
3. Adjust the starting points by having both groups start on different cones
Related Files
1. One attacker must come from behind the attacking line
2. The attackers need to beat the defenders. Use touch, grab or full tackling
3. A feeder passes to the attackers from a dummy ruck
4. Three defenders go up and drift with the pass
1. Play 7v7 touch rugby
2. Three defenders must go into press up position after touch, re-entering the game once a pass is made
3. After a touch, count down from three before the ball is passed
Dan Cottrell
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