Rugby drill to coach a simple attacking move

Building a simple move

Introduce a simple dummy switch and pass between 10, 12 and 13. It has the following advantages.

• It only involves one pass, from 10 to 13.

• There is decoy and deception with 12 being the main holding player.

• Angles of run are different and unpredictable for the defence.

• 13 takes the ball running at full pace and therefore has more chance of getting through or past the defence.

• It fulfils the first principle of rugby to go forward.

Your players will enjoy performing this attacking ploy and see the benefit of it being done well.

13 has options to go wide and receive a longer pass or come in tighter and receive a short pass, all depending on what he sees in front of him as regards the defence.

It is straightforward for the 10, after performing the dummy switch with 12, to weight his pass short or long as he sees 13's angle of run. 10 may also decide to hold on to the ball if he sees the defender in front of him slide out on to 10.

With younger players, start with no opponents, then use tackle bags or poles as defenders. Finally set a challenge with three defenders and live tackling. It is also good for the other players in your squad to practise this ploy.

Create the extra player

Again using 10, 12 and 13, create a "fourth" player by executing a loop between 10 and 12, and outwitting the defence.

10 immediately passes to 12, and slides behind and round him as 12 moves forward. 12 then returns the pass leaving 10 and 13 faced with one defender.

• It is important that 10 goes forward first before passing to fix any defenders.

• 12 has to take the pass as if he is trying to burst through, again attracting defenders.

• As 10 runs round on the loop, he accelerates and begins to angle his run forward, receiving the return pass from 12. The loop can be described like a one-two or wall pass in football/soccer.

• 13 times his run so he is receiving the ball at full pace. Again, he can see everything in front of him and can adapt his angle of run depending on the defenders.

Click the link to subscribe to Smart Sessions Core Skills and get rugby coaching sessions delivered direct to your inbox.

Click the link for a rugby drill to create simple loops.