Pros and cons of drift and blitz defence in rugby

The blitz defence

This defence creates the biggest impacts and puts most pressure on the attacking team. It is fairly simple in that your team moves forward as fast as it can, cutting down space and time for the attack. Tackles are normally head-on, with many being double or team tackles.

Blitz defence pros

• The attack has less time to make decisions.
• The type of tackle can be very physical and knock the attack back.
• The attack is caught behind the gain line and has to retreat to recycle the ball.
• Psychologically, it can be an advantage to your team.

Blitz defence cons

• If an attacker on an angled run beats the defence, they are immediately in space.
• Defenders on a blitz defence have great difficulty adjusting their position and changing their angle of run.
• It is very much a risk and reward style of defence.
• It can be beaten with chip and grubber kicks.

The drift defence

This defensive strategy involves staying inside the attackers while pushing them out across the pitch and towards the touchline. Most tackles tend to be low around the legs and are side on.

Drift defence pros

• The attacking team is always in sight.
• Fewer defenders can defend against a greater number of attackers.
• The touch line can be used as an extra defender.
• As tackles tend to be low, the attacker is brought to ground quickly.

Drift defence cons

• The attack has a longer time to make decisions.
• As tackles tend to be low, the attacker can get their hands free and offload the ball.
• Quick attackers can outpace defenders on the outside.
• An inside pass to an attacker on an angle can be very effective in beating a drift defence.