EXPERT SESSIONS AND ADVICE FROM QUALIFIED AND EXPERIENCED GRASSROOTS RUGBY COACHES

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Protect when outnumbered

by Dan Cottrell in Contact

Retain possession in a two-man tackle, so your supporting players can help protect the ball. It should reduce the chances of the opposition using a choke tackle to hold up the ball carrier and create a maul.

  1. Put four numbered players at the corners of the 5m square. 1 and 2 play against 3 and 4. 

  1. Call out a number. That player goes around the corner of the larger box and then picks up the ball to attack. 
  2. The other three players go around their own corners and then re-enter to play. The pair with the ball aims to score over the far line of the smaller box.

DEVELOPMENT

  1. Set out cones with four attackers (dark shirts) and four defenders (white shirts) as above.
  2. Give the two attackers at the far line a number 1 or 2. Shout out a number and that player has to turn around, retrieve the ball and attack. 
  3. The other players move in, playing full-contact rugby. The attack aims to score at the far end. 
  4. They have another attempt if they score or make it past the middle set of cones. Otherwise, the teams swap roles.

TECHNIQUE

  • Don’t go into contact ball first.
  • Don’t give up ground in the contact.
  • Supporting player: Drive on the hip of the ball carrier and keep talking.
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