Turnover attack

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

1.  The tackler must get back to his feet quickly and secure the ball.
2.  The nearest players align quickly, ready to attack.
3.  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.