Cliff-edge fitness game

WHY USE IT

This recreates the pressure of the final minutes of a match with non-stop defence and attack. It improves physical fitness and sharpens the discipline required to attack and defend well.

set up

Split players into groups of 10: a back three defence, plus one other, and six attackers. Cones are used for starting positions, target areas and as set pieces, such as rucks or mauls.

HOW TO PLAY

Activity: Team 1 lines up against team 2. Team 3 waits outside the square doing press-ups or sit-ups – they are replacement attackers (see top illustration). Team 1 aims to score while team 2 defends. A defensive error (like a deliberate knock-on) sees a nominated defender lap the square twice (‘instant sin bin’) before re-entering from behind their own try line. This increases the attacking team’s chances and makes the defence work harder (see middle illustration). Attacking errors that would result in a scrum, lineout, penalty or free-kick – or the defenders winning the ball – sees the attacking team replaced. Defenders do not become attackers if they win the ball, but defend against the other team. Swap attackers if there is no change after two minutes. Run defenders for five minutes at a time, then change.

coaching points

• Played at the end of a session when tired, all teams should be looking to maintain the five principles of rugby (see bottom illustration).

1. One team are defenders. They will defend for five minutes. Play full-contact rugby
2. Another team attacks while another performs press-ups or sit-ups

1. If the attack makes a mistake, it is replaced by the team on the side line. Restart with a scrum, lineout or tap penalty depending on the infringement

2. If the defence makes an error, a coach-nominated player does two laps of the area (leaving more space for attacking success

1. Though players will be tired, emphasise the principles of attack that will lead to tries