The attack gathering

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

HOW TO PLAY

Activity: 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 top illustration). Once the ball carrier has crossed the 22m line, defender A becomes an attacker, and B and C come forward (see middle illustration). Once B and C are beaten, they join the attack and the final three defenders come forward (see bottom illustration). Use full tackling, and allow mini rucks and offloads out of the tackle. If the attack fails to beat the A, B and C defenders, those attackers becoming defenders A, B and C. The original A, B and C defenders become attackers. If the attack fails to beat the last row of defenders, the attackers becoming defenders A, B and C. The back row become the attackers and the original A, B and C defenders go to the back. Run for five minutes, then switch attack and defence.

coaching points

• The ball carrier attacks space while his 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.