Ask Dan: Defending better from set pieces

"My team has leaked lots of tries from scrums and lineouts recently. What are the best ways to defend from these set pieces?"
- Chris, U14s coach, South Wales

The problem lies in the connection between the forwards and the backs.

The backs are 5-10m back from the forwards, so, when the ball is released, they don’t immediately connect.

It means you have to assign clear roles. At the age group you coach, it’s better that only a couple of players are given those roles. 

Though it would be great to think that all the players are switched on tactically, we know most aren’t!

Here’s my advice on defending more effectively from the scrum and the lineout.

SCRUM

It all depends on where scrum is across the pitch.

• Right-hand side: The openside aims at 10, your 10 aims at their 10, and then tries to shift out, if 7 says so. The other backs follow suit – 9 covers in, while 8 covers behind 9.
• Left-hand side: 9 aims at their 10, your 10 aims at their 12, openside runs behind 9, 8 covers in behind.
• From a scrum in the middle of the field, always split the backs evenly. The 9 will chase out to cover the back who is on their side. The flankers cover inside the nearest opposition back.

LINEOUT

• Key players: Positions six and seven in the lineout; the player who’s in the receiver position; 10; blindside winger; and full-back.
• The 6 and 7 aim to get out of the lineout as soon as the ball is released. They target inside the opposition 10. That means that any player who steps back will be clattered.
• The receiver, who is normally your scrum-half, should instead be your fastest forward. Put your 9 in the hooker position, in the channel at the front of the lineout. The receiver stands at the back of the lineout, 2m back, and chases the 10 down.
• The fly-half stands just outside their opposite number, but aims at the opposition 12. They must bring the 12, 13 and open-side wing up together. They should imagine themselves to be on a pole at the hips.
• The blindside wing stands about 20m from the lineout, but 15m infield. The full-back stands near the 15m line, on the other side of the field.

SCRUM - RIGHT-HAND SIDE

• If their 15 comes into the line, and the rest of the line hasn’t shifted out, then 11 has to take their 14 
• 10 starts on their 10 and moves out once they’re happy that 7 is going to cover. All the other backs can then shift out
• 15 has to cover for an outside break
• 7 goes for their 10, back row cover in behind, and 9 covers behind 10
• The blindside winger covers for 15

SCRUM - LEFT-HAND SIDE

• 9 aims at 10, 7 covers in behind
• 10 aims at 12 and the rest move out one
• 8 covers in behind

LINEOUT

• All the backs shift out one, with 13 taking 15 if they come into the line
• The back two lineout players, plus the receiver, chase out to 10
• 9 starts where the hooker would normally be