This is a decision-making exercise I used with Ospreys. To be successful, the attack must scan the defence and then adjust their pace and depth. Using the “disco” effect (different coloured cones replicating the different coloured lights) you can determine the shape of the defence, forcing the attack to take quick and effective passing and running options. It also works defenders, who have to reconnect after being pushed out of position.

Warm up time: 5-7
Session time: 8-10
Development time: 10-15
Game time: 15-20
Warm down time: 5-8

What to think about

The first receiver often takes off too quickly, leaving his fellow attackers behind. The attacking line must judge the depth they take from one another and then ensure they move together. The way you set out the coloured cone trails for defenders will determine how and where defenders enter the box. It can be tailored to manufacture gaps or types of defensive line that attackers have to quickly adjust to and communicate from the outside in order to exploit. You can easily play around with the alignment of these cones and the distance away from the attackers to adjust the pressure put on the attacking line.

set-up

1. Scan the defence, hold your depth and pass the ball to space.
2. Move together as a line, with the outside players communicating to the inside players.

What you get your players to do

Put two attackers and a defender in the middle of a 5m box, back to back. Shout out a letter and then the defender runs to that lettered cone. In the meantime, the attackers run to the corners of the box and turn for a 2v1 (see picture 1). Use touch tackling. Swap one attacker with the defender after each attempt.