This session concentrates on attacking the space behind the defence. The players will work on bursting through the gaps and then popping off to the supporting players. It shouldn’t just be seen as an attacking session though, because you can improve tackling and defensive skills at the same time.

Warm up time: 7-10
Session time: 5-7
Development time: 5-7
Game time: 10-15
Warm down time: 7-10

What to think about

• How can the ball carrier improve his bursting through the two defending shields? The ball carrier must accelerate into the gap between the pads and tense his body as contact is made. An aggressive mental attitude plus a low body position are essential for it to be really effective.
• The support runners are getting too flat and taking the pop pass at only half pace. As the ball carrier makes contact he will always be slowed down to a certain extent. It’s crucial that the support players delay their runs and arrive late. If they think they won’t get there in time, it’s probably the perfect approach.

set-up

1. Target the middle of the pads making contact with each shoulder. Make sure the ball is held securely in two hands.
2. Burst the pads open and go through the gap immediately popping the ball to one of your support players.
3. As a support player time your run to arrive just after the ball carrier has burst through. Hit the ball at pace and practise scoring.

What you get your players to do

Split your squad into groups of three with a ball. Put two defenders half a metre apart holding contact shields opposite a ball carrier approximately three to four metres away. The ball carrier runs for the small gap between the pads and as he gets closer, lowers his body into a driving position, makes contact with the pads, bursts through and immediately pops the ball to one of his supporting team mates, who scores on a line marked five metres beyond the defenders.