Reload

Getting into an attacking shape quickly allows your players to hit their running lines at pace, and the team to execute moves more effectively. With the opposition aiming to slow down or disrupt the tackle contest, your players need to be flexible, to be able to “reload” from both slow and quick ball.

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

What to think about

Build your players’ confidence to always challenge the opposition defence with good running lines. The players should not be content with just running into the opposition to create another ruck. They must look to create something more. To break the gain line, players should be running onto the ball at pace and into areas where the defence is at its weakest. Players do this best when they are in the correct attacking shape. They should anticipate what is happening in front of them and reposition quickly.

set-up

1. Adjust your alignment to get into the optimum position to attack the defence.
2. Look ahead and anticipate where the next ruck is going to be.
3. Always challenge the defence, no matter what ball you receive.

What you get your players to do

Set up a tackle tube and cones, as in the top picture. Using a 9, three backs and three forwards, call out a “gate” to attack. The ball is passed from 9 to the backs, who pass to the forwards targeting the gate. Have them present the ball at the gate. The ball is then passed by 9 out to the backs, who attack the other gates at pace. Re-start the exercise, attacking different gates. The backs should vary their attacking ploys.