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LOGINTrack the attackers
Use footwork, balance and agility to get close to the ball carrier and execute a tackle. Develops scanning, communication and reactions.
WHY USE IT
Develops your defenders’ scanning, communication and reactions as the attack moves from side to side.
set up
A 15m by 10m box, one ball.
HOW TO PLAY
ACTIVITY: Five attackers spread out on one of the 15m lines, opposite two defenders on the other line. The attackers pass the ball up and down their line. When you shout “Go!”, the ball carrier and the player who passed to them launch an attack. The defence aims to touch the ball carrier before they score. Attackers are allowed to pass before the touch (see second illustration).
DEVELOPMENT: Develop by adding a roaming defender, who tracks the ball carrier from 4m (see third illustration). The other two defenders are on the corners. Any one of the defenders advances when an attack is called. This means the defence has two bites at stopping the attack and the second defender has to read their support line off the first defender.
Coaching points
- Close down the space quickly.
- Communicate who is taking who.
- Aim to get in front of the ball carrier.
- Five attackers pass a ball up and down the line
- Two defenders wait on the opposite line
Related Files
- When you shout “Go!”, the ball carrier and the player who passed to him run forward to score
- The defenders come forward, aiming to touch the ball carrier
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A roaming defender tracks the ball carrier from 4m away
- The other two defenders wait on the corners. Any one defender can advance once an attack is called
Dan Cottrell
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