EXPERT SESSIONS AND ADVICE FROM QUALIFIED AND EXPERIENCED GRASSROOTS RUGBY COACHES
Use this activity to put more decision-making pressure on the ball carrier and supporters. Make it a high tempo session with lots of goes, and feedback on the run rather than halting the exercise.
Attacking players who can read body shapes of defenders stand a greater chance of making the correct decision in the contact zone. Knowing when to fix a defender (to draw and pass), to outpace a defender (flight) or to attack a weak shoulder (fight) depends on the defender’s body shape as he enters the tackle zone.
Spread out five attackers, with two at the front and three at the back.
Call out one or two defenders, and which colour gate for them to run through.
Have the 9 pass the ball to either one of the front attackers. The players behind that attacker on either side offer support.
Use grab or full tackling, with the ball carrier aiming to use one of three decisions based on the shape and positioning of the defenders.
in Attack, Footwork and evasion, Rugby drills
How often do you despair that your players can’t score when there’s an overlap? Why is it players drift out in attack and play into the hands of the drift defence? Here are my simple solutions. MORE
in Attack, Rugby drills
This session will help players highlight their core skills under pressure. It works especially on short passes when the ball carrier is running “offline”. Offline means the passer is either running towards the intended receiver or away. MORE
in Attack
What is meant by attacking the line and how can you use this effectively in your tactics? MORE
in Attack
Use this activity to work on options to attack the line flat or pull the pass back to a player who is running wider into space. This is a tough decision-making exercise because players have to make late passing decisions, while receivers have to time their runs to find the gaps. MORE
in Attack, Rugby drills
Replicate game situations where forwards have to ruck and handle in quick succession, with a degree of decision-making. It needs the simple things done well. Forwards often have to mix contact and handling skills in a short space of time. Challenge them to move quickly from skill to skill. MORE
in Attack
Help attackers realign quickly so they can run onto the ball and exploit gaps with passing. To attack effectively, players need to see where to run and then come onto the ball with pace. They can only do this with good realignment. That means being in a good position relative to their team mates. MORE
