Rugby defence session to develop technique

This session is developed from defence guru Phil Larder's work and provides a great opportunity to develop group defending, individual tackling, communication and fitness.

Rules of the game

Use three defenders against 12 attackers. For these numbers, the pitch is narrow - between the 15m lines (see picture below).

When there are five defenders the pitch is wider and, for more than six defenders, use the entire width of the pitch. Games last two minutes, with a 30-second break.

Defenders always start between the narrow cones inside the 22m, attackers spread out between the halfway and 22m line. You kick a ball out, various distances and places, to the attackers to begin the exercise.

Each time a try is scored, the try scorer joins the defence. For each try, the defenders do 10 press-ups. For each mistake, the attackers do 10 press-ups. Play restarts after these press-ups.

There are no contested rucks so when an attacker is touched/tackled, he has to do three press-ups before passing the ball. This is a chance for the defence to reorganise. All plays must start with two passes minimum from the ruck.

Key elements for defenders

1. Stay in line with each other and follow the outside defender.
2. The last defender takes the last attacker, second last defender takes second last attacker and so on.
3. Never let the ball carrier come through the defensive line. If they score, make it happen by being outflanked, not penetrated. This makes it harder for the attack and gives the defence more time to challenge.

This article is from Rugby Coach Weekly.