Rugby coaching warm-up game to help continuity in play

Continuity is the ability to link phases of play together, without restarting play. It is a vital weapon in applying pressure and breaking the opposition down. The aims and objectives of continuity are:

• Keep the ball.
• Move the opposition around and pose problems.
• Break down the opposition’s defensive systems.
• Create and exploit weaknesses.

Here is a game with variations to challenge the players’ continuity skills in unusual situations.

Bull ring continuity

This game is simple to set up and develops the traditional game of “bulldogs”, where individual attackers aim to get to one end of the pitch without being tackled.

Bull ring with contact and a ball

1. As the number of defenders increases and they form wider “chains” introduce contact. If an attacker cannot go around the defenders he must attempt to break through the defenders’ chain. If he can get through without being brought to ground he continues to attack. If not, he joins the defence.
2. Next introduce one to three balls into the attack. The aim is for the attackers to get as many of the balls to the far end (try line). Balls can be popped out of the tackle or off the ground. If rucks form, the defenders can unlink and contest the ruck. After the ball has gone they must re-link arms. If the ball is lost or becomes dead, that ball is no longer available to score with and play switches to another ball.

The aim is that, with more defenders, the gaps will become harder to find. The attackers will need more patience, technique and teamwork to hold the ball and look for opportunities.

Bull ring prison run

• This development is not far off a full game of rugby, and the players really enjoy it. It creates enough space on the pitch for the players to work on their continuity skills and yet still be under pressure.
• Use the same game area and split into teams of attackers and defenders. Overload the attack by 2 players (your usual 9 and 10).
• Organise 3 “prison areas” off the pitch and number them 1, 2 and 3. Number the defenders 1, 2 and 3 also.
• Play normal rugby rules, with the attacking starting at one end of the playing area and the defence 5m away. If play breaks down (like a mistake or the ball goes into touch), restart on the attacking team’s own try line.
• During the game, shout a number or numbers (say “1” or “1 and 3”). The nominated defenders have to sprint to their prison for three seconds before rejoining the game. This creates gaps and overload opportunities that should be seen and exploited by the attack.

As defending players come and go, gaps appear then close up so the attack has to look and react appropriately.

This article is from Rugby Coach Weekly.