Reactive defence

Improve your players’ footwork in defence so they close down space quickly and then react to the attacking movement. They can work in groups of three to create more effective drift defence.

A well-balanced defender can react to changes in attacking lines, close down the space and make more effective tackles.

1. Start one player at the end of the longer corridor.
2. When he comes out at the end of that corridor he drives into a ruck-pad holder who is jogging through the other corridor and off to the side.

1. Develop by putting three defenders at the end of three corridors.
2. Either side of you, place a group of four players with a ball carrier nearest to you.
3. The defenders run forward.
4. When they reach the end, they set quickly and react to which attackers you indicate to come forward.
5. Set the attacks off at any stage to keep the defenders guessing.

1. Finally, in a larger box, put three defenders in the middle of their end, and two groups of four attackers each spread about 10m from the corners of their end.
2. You indicate which attacking group to go.
3. The ball carrier throws the ball high in the air and then the defenders run through a gate opposite this group and defend as the attackers move forward.

TECHNIQUE

• Move forward fast, head up ready to move laterally.
• Keep the shoulders up the field, even when shuffling.
• Maintain the line.