Attack weak defender

the challenge

Break the line and support the break from a multi-option move.

• Attack the weakest defender.
• Allow 20 minutes this week. Return to the play every week.

1. Walk through

• The players walk through the play in a confined space. This will give the idea of potential running lines and passing possibilities.
• Two pad defenders come forward to help players picture lines.
• Work from both sides and highlight possible difficulties, like length of pass or who runs when.
• The confined space allows lots of attempts.

2. Real defence

• In a larger area, put three defenders at the front and one covering from the back.
• Run the play at full pace.
• If there’s a clean break, the attack has to beat the last defender.
• If touched, they can immediately offload.
• Add in ‘grab tackles’ to make defence and attack work harder.

3. Weak defender

Give the front three defenders a letter each.

• Option 1: Tell all the attackers who the weak defender is. There is no need to offload unless the weak defender makes a shoulder contact.
• Option 2: Tell just one attacker who the weak defender is.
• Option 3: Nominate a weak shoulder. All defenders are only allow to ‘touch tackle’ with that shoulder.
• Option 4: Nominate a weak shoulder for the weak defender. Tell the attackers, or play enough times for the attackers to work it out.

• Practise the play in small boxes with a passive defence to help the players know their roles
• In this multi-option ‘box’ play, the ‘10’ can pass short or behind the front player

• Develop by playing against a more realistic defence
• If touched, the ball carrier can pass immediately
• If there is a break, the attack has to beat the last defender

• Move the starting points around to keep the player set-ups dynamic
• Use ‘weak defender’ constraints to make the players call moves based on mismatches