Play what's in front of you
Playing what is in front of you is a tough skill to master, even for the most experienced players. But that does not mean it should not be practised at all levels of the game. These simple activities will challenge the players to pass, support and communicate quickly.
Playing what is in front of you is a tough skill to master, even for the most experienced players. But that does not mean it should not be practised at all levels of the game. These simple activities will challenge the players to pass, support and communicate quickly.
Warm up time: 5
Session time: 6-9
Development time: 6-9
Game time: 15-20
Warm down time: 7
What to think about
Because there is so much “on the spot” decision making in these exercises, you are better off allowing the players to have lots of goes rather than stopping and feeding back after each attempt.
Weaker players will probably panic and pass far too early or just run blindly into contact. Keep encouraging them to attack spaces at pace before releasing the ball. Also, a confident player is likely to talk more. Encourage your team to be more vocal.
set-up
Look for spaces in defence.
Attack hard and pass before contact.
What you get your players to do
Spread out three pairs of coloured cones (picture 1). Put two defenders at the side of the box and three attackers at the other end. Place a feeder to the side of the area.
The attackers have their back to cones. Hold up a coloured cone and the defenders have to run into the box and round one of those cones before moving towards the attackers.
At any stage release the attackers (picture 2) who have to turn and attack to score at the far end. Adjust the starting distances to suit the skills of the players.
Three attackers face away from the far try line. Two defenders run into the box each aiming to run round one of the cones of the colour you indicated.
Development
In the same box, start two defenders about 5m away from the four attackers. Hold up a cone and the defenders have to run back and touch that cone, and then turn to face the attack.
Release the attack at any point whose aim is to score at the other end.
On your command, the attackers turn, receive the ball and aim to beat the defenders.
Game situation
Create teams of four. Put two teams in the box. Play for 60 seconds before changing teams. The attacking team must always start on its own try line. The defending team has to retire to one of the corners of their try line and then only two defenders are allowed out to defend at any time.
If there is an infringement, the ball goes to the other team which starts from its own try line while the defence returns to its corner. If there is a try, the attack restart with the ball again on its own try line.
Start with defenders facing the attackers. They now have to run back to the cones indicated by you before turning to defend. The attackers still only go on your command.
What to call out
- “Run hard at the spaces”
- “In support, hold your runs until you see where to attack”
- “Keep talking – it makes you more confident”