Attacking Principles of Play

Continuity

Time: 30 | Age groups: U12-U16, U17+

This class will help your players master the basic tactics and skills associated with Continuity, one of the Attacking Principles of Play.

Aims and outcomes

Players will understand:

• How “continuity” fits into the principles of play
• What is meant by continuity
• The different types of continuity
• Skills for continuity

The team will benefit from:

• Understanding why they focus on certain skills and tactics in training
• Knowing how to attack more effectively in a game situation

What you'll need

Different class types required different resources. This table sets out what we think you'll need in each scenario, but feel free to amend it if you find something that works for you.

Resources

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If two files appear in the "Slides" section, one will have embedded videos, the other is a smaller file with links to videos hosted on YouTube.

File	Download
Lesson Plan
Slides
Presentation notes
Handout
Quiz
Certificate

Videos

If you need to use or share the videos from the slides without sending out the whole presentation, you can find them below.

Activities

When you've delivered the class you'll want to embed the learning with some practical activities. We recommend trying some or all of the activities below in your coaching sessions to put the theory into practice.

1 v 1 ruck contest training

Contesting the ball more effectively in the ruck. MORE

3 seconds, 3 rucks

Quick rucks allow more attacking opportunities because the defence has to adjust fast and might leave gaps. That doesn’t mean loads of rucks, but high tempo play to create go forward ball. MORE

Base ruck

Simple to set up, these activities work on improving individual and group skills. There are no bags, just bodies to drive out from the tackle contest. It challenges players to find a rucking solution with a low body position. MORE

Conquer the maul

A maul is formed of at least two attackers, held by a defender, with the ball off the ground. It’s a wrestling match that comes with a risk and reward for the attacking team – go forward and tie in defenders, or be stopped and lose the ball to a scrum. MORE

How to coach ball placement in contact

There are a number of skills which don’t need players to be skilful, they just need to perform it quickly. One of those is ball placement. MORE

CORE SKILLS: Power through contact

Emphasise the right footwork and body height through the contact area. It will allow better ball retention and more chances to maintain continuity. As a ball carrier approaches a defender he wants to keep the ball away from the grasping hands that prevent offloads and slow down placement. I want to look at footwork and... MORE

Choose the right contact option

When a ball carrier is close to the tackler, he needs his support players to give him information on what to do next. Work on this communication and contact skills with this rip-roaring session. MORE

Ruck under pressure

Create a match-like environment at the ruck situation and help players become accurate in their clearance skills under real pressure. MORE