Drift defence training with less than 10
in Defence
Here’s how you can create a better awareness of drift defence, even if you don’t have a large number of players available at training. MORE
EXPERT SESSIONS AND ADVICE FROM QUALIFIED AND EXPERIENCED GRASSROOTS RUGBY COACHES
Defensive organisation is a core unit skill. From second phase, players need to understand their defensive roles and, more importantly, work together to pressurise the attacking team. You can use this session and its elements throughout your season to achieve this.
Warm up time: 7-10
Session time: 10-15
Development time: 5-10
Game time: 10-15
Warm down time: 7-10
Demonstrate what happens if a defender gets out of the defensive line by setting up the examples in the diagram (the dangers of a “dogleg”).
Set up four gates, 5 metres apart and 10 metres wide. Split your players into groups of four. They move forward together in a line pausing for a few seconds to realign at each gate.
Each time they realign the player at the end takes control and calls “SET, HOLD, UP” so the line can move together. You can touch a ball on the ground to help the trigger to move forward each time.
Any defender getting out of the line creates gaps for the opposition to attack.
Players need a standard call so they all react at the same time.
Steady state race:
Split your players into groups of four. They run to each gate, as in the picture, then set up as if defending from a breakdown.
Set the players a target time of say 30 seconds to complete the course. They have to race through the course to beat this time, all while maintaining a good defensive line. Give them two runs each and then change the target. Reinforce that it is not a race to finish first but to stay together.
Players have to complete the circuit staying in their line and moving at the same pace throughout.