Get players used to filling in defensively and coming forward to tackle
Set our four cones in a Z-shaped pattern with 2m between each cone. Put a defender at one end and an attacker 2m in front of the Z on the opposite side, between the end and middle cones.
Put at least three of these Zs together in a line (this simulates players working together in defence).
When you say “go”, the defender runs sideways to the next cone and then forward quickly.
When the defender reaches the cone in front of him, the attacker moves forward and the defender makes a side-on tackle.
Swap attacker and defender and repeat. Then shift cones, so the players are working from the other side.
Develop with an overload game of three defenders v five attackers in a 20m x 25m area. The defenders run forward from the side and then into the area. As they run into the box, the attackers move forward on your command.
Add in different colour cones to vary the entry points of the three defenders so that you can increase or decrease the difficulty of achieving the tackles against an attack.
You will need
A row of cones in Z shapes and a 20m x 25m area for the development game
1 ball for each Z
Cones
Bibs
Got more players?
Set up another row of Zs
What to tell your players
“Move forward together
“Keep communicating that you are in position”
“Make a side-on tackle – head behind the shorts, tight grip, drive the feet”
Improve your players’ awareness of how to move together as a defensive line.
A defensive line needs to know who’s covering who and then double up if they can to make a tackle. MORE
Improve your touch rugby games in training to develop some of the key principles to make your players better defenders. Here are some ideas to change the way you set up and play. MORE
If you are able to train, then you will be aiming to improve your players’ skills and tactical appreciation around specific areas of the game.
If you are in lockdown, it’s a chance to hone your session planning in readiness for your return. MORE
One of the most difficult things to teach a group of players is their ability to change from a defensive mindset to an attacking one effectively. Here is an activity that does just that.
Make the players think that they need to defend as an organised unit and then be able to attack at pace when the ball is turned over. It’s not going to be easy. MORE
Here’s a headline that’s not going to get your players back to training quickly: Tackling and Fitness Training. However, as we focus on safety and reducing the exposure to a concussion, all the most recent data suggests we need to have better-prepared players. In particular, the fitter the player, the stronger they are, and more... MORE
Following on from last week’s defence exercise, replicate moving across to the pitch to defend from a slow or quick ruck. It’s a matching up then coming forward exercise.
Defenders have to scan what’s in front of them whilst running across the pitch to get to the next ruck. They have to number up and adjust quickly. Once the ball is out, the outside defenders must close down the space in front of them. This session develops these ideas. MORE