The coaching manual tells us (or certainly it should) that there are two types of defence – organised and disorganised. An attacking team needs to disorganise a defence to then penetrate. Some players look outstanding against a broken defence and yet are seemingly becalmed by an organised defence. Carlos Spencer (the former New Zealand fly half, 10) and Brian O’Driscoll (the Ireland outside centre, 13) are two such examples.
Of course, I’m not saying that Spencer and O’Driscoll are poor players. Players at all levels find it difficult to play against a strong defensive line. The reason is that they have little opportunity to find even the little space they need to weave their magic.
And herein lies the problem. Let’s say you have a player who can be a great game breaker. Do you give them the ball and expect them to achieve the break every time they receive it?
More realistically, teams need to disorganise a defence before they can expect to use the game breakers to the best effect. This means using tactics to probe defences with big runners, or stretching defences by playing the ball wide. However, the best tip is to keep your backs, and more essentially the game breakers, “on their feet”.
That is, don’t let them go into rucks and mauls or take up crash balls. Instead, let team-mates work off them until the chances appear.
If you’re looking for more ways to make the most of your game breakers, then my Rugby Attack! manual could be the answer. Containing 27 pre-prepared plays, Rugby Attack! will help you produce co-ordinated attacks that suit your team’s strengths and target weaknesses in the opposition.
Get defenders off balance and less effective by making them commit to one tackling line while attacking another. You can do this by varying your angle of attack. MORE
Encourage support players to be ready to follow the ball carrier through the line break, either to take an offload or if there is a clean break, ready to take the next pass.
Line breaks can be anywhere along the defensive line. Create scenarios for the players to react and support.
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This quick to set-up game creates enough chaos to make the players think about their catch-and- pass skills under the sort of pressure they might be under in a real match.
Getting players used to using “soft hands” will result in more catches and greater continuity. MORE
Create better go forward for players who are taking the ball close to the ruck and close to the tackle line. The activity also works on better ball placement and support options.
Isolate one defender then attack another, maintain momentum before presenting the ball so the defence have less time to “jackle”, which means go for the ball. MORE
If our players communicated more effectively, then the ball carrier would know when to pass or when to take contact.
Create more opportunities for this to happen by making it matter. The best exercises provide chances for players to see the value in calling for the ball.
Here are four good activities to use. MORE
