Breaking out of the pod

Don’t let your attack become stuck in a one-size-fits-all pod of three players. Test the decision-making skills of the team.

The three-player pod allows an additional attacking option to open when the defence doesn’t align to match your attack.

1. One team of three starts as a defence in one channel, and another three in next channel.
2. Pod 1 attacks pod 2 (place your own conditions on levels of contact).
3. On conclusion of that attack, the ball is handed to pod 2 and they attack pod 3 in the next channel.
4. Repeat with pod 3 now attacking pod 1 in the next channel.

TECHNIQUE

Running down the first channel, the pod attacks and they react to a decision made intentionally by the defence.

Example 1

If the attack meet a flat line defence, the ball carrier can attempt a ‘step’ and pass out the tackle from behind the tackling player.

Example 2
If you have a deep inside runner and a slightly wider second support runner, the ball carrier may wish to exploit the space created on the outside and take it themselves to make a break.

Example 3

If the outside stays wide, then a pass BEFORE contact to an ‘unders’ running support player may be a better option.

The key to this activity is ensuring all players knowing the defence options. This allows the attack to react to what they see more effectively. It allows self-learning under pressure to take place.
Also, because of the cyclic nature of the activity, the defence can have time to prepare what they are going to show the attack. This places the attack under more pressure the faster the activity gets.