The new ruck laws are designed to encourage turnovers in the game. It is an area you can’t afford to ignore. A quickly executed attack from turnover possession causes the opposition problems. This session – “Turnover attack” – focuses on the players’ decision making after winning turnover possession.
Warm up time: 7-10 Session time: 15 Development time: 15-20 Game time: 15-20 Warm down time: 7-10
What to think about
It is important to have a team call when there is a turnover. You can use the same call whether you have won or lost the ball.
The closest player to the turnover calls it and everyone has to react and get into their new role. Either they are moving up to form a flat defensive line or getting deeper, ready to attack.
One of the main reasons teams don’t capitalise on turnover ball is that they don’t get organised quickly enough. As soon as the call is made players need to get into as deep an alignment as they can.
You should always be looking to move the ball 2 or 3 passes away from where the turnover was won to exploit the space away from the reorganising defence.
Set-up
The tackler must get back to his feet quickly and secure the ball.
The nearest players align quickly, ready to attack.
Pass the ball away from the contact area and play what’s in front of you.
What you get your players to do
Set up four players with ruck pads and four tacklers opposite them. Have the four tacklers move up as a line and hit the ruck pads. They drop to the ground and get back to their feet quickly. As they are hitting the pads roll out a ball. The nearest player picks up the ball and they attack against the two defenders coming from either the left or right side.
After hitting the pads, the four tacklers drop to the ground to simulate the tackle.
Development
Add a third defender either coming from the other side or from behind the first two defenders.
Add extra attacking players coming from behind the initial line.
The closest player recovers the ball on the ground. The four tacklers become attacking players.
Game situation
Set up two teams of seven players (as the bottom picture). Start the game by passing the ball to a player in the middle. The ball carrier is tackled by the player opposite, who turns over the ball.
The tackler counts loudly to 5 before playing the ball. While he counts, the two deep players on the defending side run to one side of the pitch. The two deep attacking players have to run to the opposite side. The attacking players then attack the least defended side of the pitch. Finish each attempt after an infringement or a try.
Start with touch tackling before moving on to full tackling.
The ball carrier allows himself to be tackled and turned over. The ball winning team now attacks the least defended side.
Using an inverted backline shape, your runners from a ruck can give the 9 more options to pick up the best-placed player to break the defensive line. An inverted three is a group of three players that line up so the furthest player is in front. All but the first player in the line can take the ball with a player in support to drive them out and away from the previous breakdown. It’s easy for the outside players to adjust their timing to support the first player if he’s the receiver. MORE
How to take the ball close to the gain line in attack to put the defence under more pressure. It will exploit quick ball from rucks by putting attackers flat, running angles and offloading before or after the tackle. MORE
To create continuity, your players need to understand their support roles at the tackle contest. They also need to practise being innovative for when it goes wrong. MORE
2 v 1s offer an ideal return to play exercise because you just need three players. And the players can work in bubbles. Develop your individual’s defence by taking them on from just making good tackles. Help them decide when to tackle to prevent the opposition keeping the ball alive. MORE
