Counter with purpose

WHY USE IT

Most matches feature poor kicks. Use these training scenarios to practise your team’s reactions and decision making to them.

set up

Two 10m boxes, about 10m apart. See middle illustration for the game set-up.

HOW TO PLAY

ACTIVITY: Two players start inside one of the squares.  Throw the ball into the square. One player calls and catches it. They then pass to the other player who has to kick so that the ball lands in the other box.

DEVELOPMENT: Add an attacker and defender. The defender starts in the other box. They chase and pressure the catch. The in-possession team either kicks to the box or runs the ball back to it.

GAME: Start five defenders in the scoring zone and five attackers in each box (see middle illustration). Throw the ball high into one of the boxes – this group score by either running or kicking the ball into the scoring zone. The defence moves forward as soon as you throw the ball up. Use full or touch tackling. Finish if a ruck or maul forms. Swap defenders and attackers and repeat.

COACHING POINTS

• In attack, when you receive the kick, pass to a player on the move and then support.
• Get onside to make a difference to the ball carrier and communicate.
• In defence, come up as a line. Make sure you have coverage behind this line, too.