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LOGINNFL-style game for speed of support
Using an offside player to receive a forward pass, who can’t score, requires that players support ball and space. By JACK PATTINSON, Saracens U18s coach.
In this game, inspired by the NFL, each team has one player who can receive a forward pass or kick but from an offside position.
Because that player cannot score, it relies on the offside player’s team-mates to race into a position to support that player once they have received the ball.
This is not a heads-up, scanning game. Rugby scanning is about looking for mismatches, edges and spaces to play to, not team-mates who are offside.
Instead, we are challenging the support players to:
- Support the ball: Be close to take a pass or secure the ball in the tackle.
- Support the space: Be in a position to take the pass after the first or second pass, thus exploiting the defensive disorganisation.
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The key rules
Play your normal variation of touch rugby or full-contact rugby.
Each team is allowed one player offside who their team-mates can pass or kick forward to. The offside player can’t score and must rely on supporting team-mates for their team to score.
If the attacking team scores, they restart the game with the ball.
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Constraints to explore in the game
- Vary the number of defenders each team can have in the backfield.
- Vary the ball used to challenge different types of pass and kick.
- Use a second ball. This is used to up the speed of the game. Throw it in so players have to change and realign quickly.
What to look for...
- What does a team’s support look like once their offside player receives the ball?
- How are they supporting the ball or the space?
- What are the most effective players looking for and communicating?
Jack Pattinson
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