Block passing v flat passing

This is a decision-making session based on using either a pass close to the gain line or a “block” pass, which is a pass that goes behind the front line of attack. Players will have to decide which pass to use according to the defence in front of them, not on a predetermined play.

Warm up time: 5
Session time: 5-8
Development time: 6-9
Game time: 15-20
Warm down time: 7

What to think about

In simple terms, flat passes attack the gain line close to the last phase of play, block passes attack the tackle line wider out. Players in both lines of attack should expect to receive the pass. A player who runs on to a flat pass can run “in” or “out”, depending on the defender in front of him. A player who runs on to a block pass tends to run “out”, because he does not need to fix a defender and the aim is to take the ball wider.

set-up

1. Look at the defence. Time the pass to beat the defence.
2. Runners, commit to your line and expect the ball.

What you get your players to do

Set up three attackers as in the top picture, with a ball carrier and two receivers who start one in front of the other. The attackers run forward while a defender runs forward through a gate and then runs “in” or “out”. If the defender runs “in”, the ball is passed behind the front attacker. If he runs “out”, then the ball is passed to the front attacker.