Pyramid scheme

WHY USE IT

Every time a team breaks a tackle line, it needs to support the ball carrier. Players must react quickly, even when tired.

Set up

A 15 to 20m corridor between the 22m and halfway line. One ball.

HOW TO DO IT

• Put one defender (A) on the 22m line, two (B and C) on the 10m line and three on the halfway line. Three attackers start 10m from the 22m line. They aim to get the ball past defender A (see picture 1).
• Once the ball carrier has crossed the 22m line, defender (A) becomes an attacker, and B and C come forward (see picture 2). Once B and C are beaten they join the attack and the final three defenders come forward (see picture 3).
• Use full tackling and allow mini rucks and offloads out of the tackle.
• An attacking infringement means attackers become the defenders on the halfway line, with those defenders becoming defenders A, B and C. The original A, B and C become attackers. Run for five minutes then switch attack and defence. 

TECHNIQUE

• The ball carrier attacks space while their support players have to react.
• Defenders who become attackers assess where the space is to arrive from deep and take late passes out of the tackle.