Combine conditioning with skills drills. In these two activities, the players will work on line-speed as a group, then in the next activity, on line speed and a part of tackle technique.
DRILL ONE
A line of around six players start on one set of cones. They are about arm’s distance apart.
A coach touches a ball on the ground (as an attacking scrum-half might).
This triggers the line to race forward to another set of cones. They then realign to another set of cones ready to come forward.
They realign backwards and diagonally.
The pattern is: 10m forwards, 5m backwards and diagonally two times and finish with one 10m forwards.
DRILL TWO
Three players race forward, triggered by a coach touching a ball.
They run about 5m towards a tackle tube (or ruck pad holder). They promote their right foot. They complete three right-hand punches on the tube, replicating a right shoulder aggressive tackle.
They run backwards and repeat, with a different foot forward.
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
Work on line-speed with specific targets for your defensive line as opposed to the normal “good line speed”. It will create pressure on the attacking line. Defensive cohesion is as important as making the tackles themselves. Work on line-speed and togetherness with this session. MORE
