Dummy or pass

This session encourages the ball carrier to test a defender’s decision making. Should the defender commit to tackle the ball carrier or move on to the potential receiver? The skills are relatively basic, the decision is tough.

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

Making a dummy pass is an individual decision that requires some common skills. Forwards and backs must draw a defender to them by making them think they might pass the ball or carry it forward. Therefore, the ball carrier should take the ball forward in two hands at pace, with his hips facing up the pitch. Since the defender is approaching from the side, the ball carrier should step towards the defender to engage him before passing the ball. He can delay this move by running away from the defender, who may slightly over run. This will unbalance the defencer when the ball carrier goes to dummy or cuts back before passing.

set-up

1. Attack the defender to make him commit.
2. Pass hard or dummy and accelerate away.
3. Take the pass at pace.

What you get your players to do

Set up a feeder and two attackers as in the top picture. Place a defender opposite the feeder. Have the feeder pass the ball to the first attacker and the defender run out towards that attacker. The ball carrier now has to decide whether to dummy or pass to a support runner. Start with a grab tackle only, where the attempt fails if the ball carrier or support runner is grabbed in possession of the ball. Move to full contact if your players are confident enough. Rotate players.