Anticipation is a powerful way of getting into better positions quicker, to exploit defensive weaknesses. This session looks at making small but important decisions. The objective is for the players to start to look for the right visual triggers, to set themselves up before the defence can react.

Warm up time: 5-7
Session time: 8-10
Development time: 8-12
Game time: 15-20
Warm down time: 5-7

What to think about

Support players in attack have to scan the defence in three ways:

1. Close to the ball – scan for threats to the ball carrier.
2. Close to the ball – scan for the spaces to exploit around where the ball carrier is going.
3. Away from the ball – scan the shape of the defence to see where to attack next.

Communication is crucial. Close support players must instruct the ball carrier, the others where the ball should move to next.

set-up

1. Look for spaces and weaknesses as you realign to attack.
2. Communicate where a space and/or weakness is and move the ball to that place.

What you get your players to do

Split into six attackers and three defenders. Mark out three “rucks” with cones, about 5m apart. Stand four of the attackers 5m back from the rucks and the three defenders 5m on the other side. The two other attackers act as feeders. The attack aims to score a try beyond the rucks. Have one of the feeders start the attack by passing to an attacker, who runs at a “ruck”. When he reaches the ruck, he puts the ball down and then passes it away. The attack cannot run through a ruck. The defenders cannot go any further forward than the rucks. Use two-handed touches for tackles to start with.