Hard lines in attack

’Hard lines’ is a term describing the running line of an attacker, generally straight or back towards the ball.

Accurate running lines are a vital tool when looking to break down a strong defence by attacking weak shoulders and spaces around defenders.

A hard line can also be a contrasting running line to the ball carrier. If a ball carrier is running across the field, trying to drag defenders out of position, a ’hard’ contrasting running line by a support player is needed to straighten the attack, targeting defenders over-chasing, and with turned out body shapes to punch through the defence. 

Over-chasing means trying to cover across the pitch quicker than needed, making it easy to step inside that player.

When to use the hard line

Defences are generally looking to keep as many defenders on their feet as possible, which can mean there’s a line of defenders covering across the field. 

At times like these attacking teams need to try to punch through the defence and breach or break the gain line. By moving the gain line back towards the opposition’s goal line, it will force the defence to congest around the breakdown, creating space elsewhere on the pitch.

Techniques

With a hard line, players need to lower their body height and duck and tuck through the contact, maintaining a strong body position and having two hands firmly on the ball.

To create more space, and therefore a greater chance of breaking or denting the defensive line, it is vital that the attackers manipulate the defence with their running line and body language. 

A running line that angles straight back into a hole will give the defence an easy cue, allowing them to adjust and hit the carrier with two tacklers and dominate the collision.

In order to isolate defenders, the attacker should always move forward first to engage their opposite defender before moving off their line and attacking back towards the ball and at space.

Fixing a defender with early straight running will often slow, or plant, a defender’s feet, allowing the attacker time to accelerate and win the race to the space inside.

training ’hard lines’

The illustration below is a good example of a drill to start learning accurate running lines and winning the race to space in attack.