Get your attackers making decisions about how many players are needed to exploit an attacking situation.
Mark out a 15m x 10m area and divide it into three 5m channels. Number the channels 1, 2 and 3.
Put five defenders on the line facing channel 2 and five attackers with a ball on the opposite line facing channel 1.
You call out how many defenders are needed, in this case “two”, and that number run into channel 1.
Attackers then need to communicate with each other and decide how many players they need to score a try at the far end of the channel. That many attackers then enter the channel and attempt to score. Defenders use full tackling to defend their line.
After five seconds, shout “change” and the attackers run to the start of channel 2 – you then shout a new number of defenders needed and they enter channel 2 and the drill repeats.
You will need
A 15m x 10m area split into three 10m x 5m channels
1 ball
Cones
Bibs
Got more players?
Set up another 15m x 10m area and run another game alongside
What to tell your players
“Use passing and offloads if there are low numbers of defenders.
“In contact, look to clear out the threats”
Sometimes I still have to pinch myself and realise we have missed 18 months of competitive contact rugby. And watching the attritional British and Irish Lions Tour recently got me thinking about how we as coaches can look to prepare our youth players for the new season.
I have put together some non-contact tips on how I would work to improve the tackle technique for my players. MORE
Work on attacking the edges of the ruck defence. That means not attacking next to the ruck, but the area often less well-defended two players out.
Normal ruck defence is set with two defenders close to the ruck. Attack outside these players. MORE
This session thrives on the odd directions a rugby ball takes when it rolls along the ground and how the players react to it.
It will improve footwork, vision, communication and reactions skills, as well as making for an alternative method of training. MORE
Though you want to avoid defenders, sometimes you will have to take contact. Develop ways to retain possession at the ruck and after by keeping the ball carrier active in the tackle.
Defences will aim to force turnovers if the ball carrier can’t release a pass. If the ball carrier works hard to twist, turn and spin during the tackle, they will become less of a target. MORE
Help players make good decisions at the breakdown on whether to pass, run or ruck depending on how many defenders are threatening the tackle ball.
You want enough players to win quick ball without compromising your chances to launch effective attacks. MORE
