Protect and steal

SET UP

• Set up two boxes, one large enough for 15 a side game and the other for a skill focus. 

HOW TO DO IT

• In the larger box teams of between 7 and 15 play a non-contact game.
• Teams score by touching the ball down on the lines at either end of the box.
• Players with the ball are stopped by a two-handed touch on the hips or below.
• If a player gets touched, they drop to the ground and present the ball back to their team.
• When the player with the ball presents the ball, a person from his team rucks uncontested over to protect the ball. If no player rucks over then the opposition can steal the ball.
• A third player on the attacking team picks up the ball up and play resumes.

SKILL FOCUS

• In the smaller box, take four players at a time out of the game to focus on skills.
• Players run an unopposed ruck: one player drops to the ground and presents the ball, the second player rucks over to protect the ball, the third picks the ball up and passes it to the fourth who runs forward and presents.
• This cycle continues with pauses to focus on good technique.

DEVELOPMENTS

Turnover possession if a player fails to drop to the ground when touched or if the attacking player is offside when entering the ruck.

TECHNIQUE

• Positioning after a tackle.
• Organisation at and around the ruck.

COMMENTS

I’ve used this game with the U13s girls that I coach. It’s great for working on ball placement and allowing the players to work out which placement is best. It also works on player’s ability to correct and think in real time. For example: the second attacking player who is rucking over might need to correct or adjust themselves if the placement of the ball is not good. It also allows players to develop their decision-making and scanning when picking the ball up from the ruck. I focus my coaching points around three elements: praise, correct and remind. Praise a player on something, correct an aspect of play and remind them of it.

NOTES

The skill box is designed to work on player’s technique and their confidence. Encourage players to try all four roles a number of times before returning to the game.