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LOGINBetter heights
Use a flagpole to help players find the best height to arrive at the contact area. The lower they arrive, the easier it is for them to win the contest over the ball.
WHY USE IT
The pole creates a strong visual cue, helping players to dip down to the right height.
set up
Cones, a flagpole, a ball, ruck pads, and a 5m by 20m channel for the game situation.
HOW TO PLAY
ACTIVITY: Stand alongside a flagpole next to a ruck pad, with a ball. Two groups of players start either side of you, about 5m away. Call a player from one of the groups. They run round, square up and go under the pole, stepping over the ruck pad and the ball. Sometimes, call two at a time. Adjust the height of the pole to create different challenges.
GAME SITUATION: Four attackers start at one side of the middle of the box. Another, with a ball, starts on the other side. Two defenders start in front of another defender at one end, with one in front of another at the other end. Call out which way to go – the ball carrier has to run down the narrow box to get to the far end. They must not allow themselves to be tackled out of the box. The other attackers have to ensure they do not lose the ball in contact. Stop when there is clean ball from the back of the ruck, or the attack loses the ball.
COACHING POINTS
- Dip low and early, and rise up into contact.
- Keep your eyes open, looking ahead.
- Keep the legs active, driving forward through the contact area.
- Stand with a flagpole next to a ruck pad and call out who is to come forward
- Have a ruck pad-holder ready to come forward
- Have two columns of players ready to come forward
Related Files
- The player goes under the pole and drives back the pad holder
- Adjust the height of the pole to challenge the players in different ways
- Put two defenders at one end and three at the other, with one at the front in each case
- Indicate which direction for the ball carrier to go
- Four attackers follow their team mate into the contact area
Dan Cottrell
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