Shoot the gun

Reloading the attack means getting into position for the next phase. Quick and accurate reloading will give your team the best chance to exploit quick ball. In this session, the aim is release (shoot) players from two attacking lines, depending on where the defence is set up.

Warm up time: 5
Session time: 5-8
Development time: 6-9
Game time: 15-20
Warm down time: 7

What to think about

The new law interpretations at the ruck and tackle have allowed more possession for the attacking team, so “reloading” to be in position for the next attack is far more common than before. This session sets up opportunities to attack, it does not offer any plays. If your team wants to attack the gain line, then it should pass to the front line of players who are running at angles. They can also “shoot” players from the back line. This means a player in the back line shoots past team mates toward the gain line. If your team sees the space is wide, then passing to the back line would be better so they can work it wide.

set-up

1. Set up quickly, with two distinct lines of attack – front and back.
2. Look up at the defence and attack with purpose, either toward the gain line or wide.
3. Run angles if in the front line, run at holes if in the back line.

What you get your players to do

Five attackers form two lines as they run into the box from a set of cones on the edge. Point to cone A or B. If it is cone A, the ball is passed to the front line. If cone B, pass to the back line. If the ball goes to the front line, one of the receivers should try to feed the ball to a back line player so a player can “shoot the gun” and fire past his team mates. Pointing to a cone makes players keep their heads up.