Heads up backs play

CHALLENGE

Attack the line, release a player into a gap, and still have options if there’s no line break or only half a line break.

SET UP

A ball, and a pitch line to mark the gain line.

HOW TO DO IT

• Set up four attackers with a feeder as in the top picture. Have three defenders in position for a ruck, scrum or lineout.
• Have a feeder release the attack.
• The attacks aim to make a clean break through the defence, or if not, try to offload the ball through a half tackle.
• The defence uses hold tackles.
• Set up some measurement criteria for success. The players should decide these criteria. As a guide, suggest that only 1 in 5 backs moves lead to clean breaks, so it’s what happens the other four times that might need to be explored.

OUTCOMES

• Push the players to play at the edge and make mistakes.
• Understand that some players are better passers than others, so the angles of running need to reflect that.
• Sometimes, say that this play is the one that must work – putting additional pressure on the execution.
• Encourage the players not to pre-plan who’s getting the ball.