One of the current focuses for top rugby teams is quick repositioning in attacking play. This session works on putting backs and forwards into the correct position fast, often when they have started in front of the ball. Players need to anticipate where they need to be to make a run or collect a pass.
One of the current focuses for top rugby teams is quick repositioning in attacking play. This session works on putting backs and forwards into the correct position fast, often when they have started in front of the ball. Players need to anticipate where they need to be to make a run or collect a pass.
Warm up time: 5-7
Session time: 8-10
Development time: 8-10
Game time: 15-20
Warm down time: 5-7
What to think about
Realignment is toughest when the ball carriers are not moving forward. Attackers have to hold their runs or even drop back to make it easier to come on to the ball.
Since there are no hard and fast rules on the ideal depth players should be at, the games in this session will help players discover what works best for them.
You need to identify players who are receiving the ball while standing still, or not passing to players who are in better positions. These are two crucial symptoms of poor alignment.
set-up
Make adjustments to your position to be ready to attack the ball.
Look ahead as well as inside towards the ball.
Attack the ball with conviction.
What you get your players to do
Set up a circle with four lines marked out from its circumference at north, south, east and west positions. Split the players into groups of three with a feeder in the middle. Tell each group which line to attack. Players then come out of the circle and attack the line at pace starting with a pass from the feeder inside the circle. The ball is passed to the player at the end and all the players return to the circle before realigning to attack the next line. Make sure the passes are made before the end player reaches the line. At some stage the players will be attacking the same line and will have to avoid each other.
Three players run out of the circle. From a pass from inside the circle, they attack a line. The players return to the circle and run out to attack the next line.
Development
Add an extra player to each group and make one pass an inside pass.
Add other groups to the exercise to create further confusion.
Add a defender to pressurise the first receiver.
Related Files
Advanced-272-circle-alignment.pdfPDF, 202 KB
Two teams drive each other backwards and forwards until one is driven out of the end of their box. That team then defends.
Game situation
Split the group into two teams of six players or more. Put these players in the small box at the side of the larger area with a ball. Instruct the teams to drive each other backwards and forwards until one of them successfully forces the ball over the other team’s try line (edge of the box) so winning the ball, (any infringement restarts in the middle). The teams then move into the larger area and the team in possession can pass the ball into this area. Play full contact rugby until there is an infringement or try. The non-infringing side then restart the game from the small box with the ball.
Both teams realign and play full contact rugby in the larger area. After an infringement or try, the game restarts in the smaller box.
What to call out
“Run straight at the line”
“Time your run off the inside player, not the first pass in the sequence”
Dan is a practising RFU Level 3 coach and coach educator. He coaches with the Bristol Bears DPP programme, is the assistant coach with University of Bristol Women's team and is a coach mentor for Broad Plain RFC mini and juniors section.
He was Head Coach of Swansea Schools U15 and has previously held coaching roles with the Young Ospreys Academy and as Assistant Coach with the Wales Women's Team for the 2010 World Cup. He was director of rugby for Cranleigh School, Surrey. P...
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