Heads up decisions

You need to consistently challenge your players to make quick and accurate decisions in different situations. This session changes a traditional 3 v 2 into a variety of scenarios where the attackers need to make choices on how and when to execute the correct skills.

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

What to think about

How should players beat an equal number of attackers?

The ball carrier attacks spaces quickly. He changes his angle of running late to draw defenders towards him. Supporting players must also change their angles and the pace of their runs.

How should players realign?

Attackers must avoid realigning in an even manner, and instead look to stand using different widths and depths. This should help force the defence to change their spacing, creating gaps and possible confusion.

set-up

1. Align towards the gate you are attacking through.
2. Ball carrier: attack the inside shoulder of the defender.
3. Supporters: read the actions of the ball carrier to be able to accelerate onto a pass.

What you get your players to do

Put two defenders inside a box. Outside the box place two groups of three attackers and a scrum half with a ball. The groups run around the box. You shout a group name and colour, and that group has to realign to attack through the gate with those coloured cones. The defenders line up one 5 metres in front of the other. The scrum half passes the ball off the ground to the attacking group. The ball carrier draws the first defender, and passes for the next player, who draws the last defender. Develop this by having both defenders line up side by side, as in example b) illustrated.