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.
A tackler is at their strongest when they are “on square” – front-on to the defender and able to exert maximum force in contact. For this reason, you should find ways to drag a defender or a line of defenders “off square”. As soon as a defender begins to favour one side of his body and turn either out or in, he creates a vulnerable shoulder to attack.
The best teams use a combination of “overs” (running away from the pass) and “unders” (running towards the pass) lines to get their opponents to commit one way or the other.
THE DOUBLE UNDERS DECOY LINE
The first objective is to prevent the 12 from moving too far across field towards the point of attack. The unders angles from the attacking backline forces the 12 to stop and square up on them. It is likely that the defending 12 and 13 will be disconnected. The gap has been created (see picture 3 for lines of run).
THE OVERS ATTACKING LINE FROM THE WINGER
If both of your centres are running this line, your winger can arrive through the gap.
THE EXPLOITATION
With the opposition 13 now disconnected from 12, the blindside winger has a chance to inside or outside the 13.
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
Practise your exit strategies from your 22m area. You may need to create a couple of rucks to “flatten” the defence before your kickers are in position to clear the ball.
Flatten the defence means bringing more defenders into the line to stop the next attack, which leaves gaps in the backfield. MORE
