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LOGINInto the step zone
An activity designed to develop players’ ability to make extra yards by moving to the side of their opponent while still moving forward.
WHY USE IT
A player who is moving forward is harder to stop than one who is moving sideways. Develop a step that is both forward and sideways.
set up
A 7m wide, 10m long box, with a 2m ‘step zone’ across the middle; one ruck pad; two 5m wide, 10m long boxes and a ball for the game situation.
HOW TO PLAY
ACTIVITY: A ruck pad-holder starts at one end of the box, with a ball carrier at the other. The ruck pad-holder runs hard towards the ‘step zone’ but stops before entering. The ball carrier sprints towards the zone, changing angle once they reach it, aiming not to be touched by the pad holder. The pad holder should not reach across with the pad. Make sure the attacker is sprinting.
DEVELOPMENT: Have the ruck pad-holder start from one corner. Add another ruck pad-holder.
GAME SITUATION: A defender and attacker start in between the boxes at each end. The attacker runs into any of the boxes and aims to get as far up the box as possible. If the attacker runs out of the box, they gain no points. If they are knocked out of the box, they gain the points from the last line they reached. Give points based on where their hips finish up. Swap players and repeat.
COACHING POINTS
- Run hard at the ‘step zone’.
- Change angle in the ‘step zone’ and keep going forward.
- A ball carrier runs forward, aiming to beat the pad holder
- A pad holder aims to be in front of the ball carrier
- Mark out a ‘step zone’
Related Files
- When the ball carrier reaches the step zone, they aim to beat the pad holder with good footwork
- The pad holder stops in front of the step zone
- The ball carrier runs into either channel, aiming to get as far up the box as possible
- The defender aims to tackle them or drive them out of the box
- Points are based on where their hips finish, not the ball
Dan Cottrell
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