EXPERT SESSIONS AND ADVICE FROM QUALIFIED AND EXPERIENCED GRASSROOTS RUGBY COACHES
If your players can create a one versus one opportunity, it is a chance to breach the gain line. If they can unbalance their opposite defender, then they should succeed.
Players need to understand that there are a number of ways to unsettle the defender both with and without the ball. It helps for the attacker to know what the defender is trying to achieve and reverse the psychology. Here are four of them.
Movement before receiving a pass can force the defender to “sit” or plant both his feet early thus leaving him exposed. For instance, running an outwards movement and then sharply changing direction to dart inwards as the attacker receives the pass.
The defender will aim to fix his attention on the attacker’s centre of mass. By carrying the ball in two hands and shaping to pass the ball, the attacker is giving the defender misleading cues that he may focus on and make him indecisive about whether to make a tackle or not.
The use of stepping and stride patterns can again distract the defender and switch his attention from closing the space down on the attacker or trying to push him to the sideline. He, in turn, will need to match the footwork which is difficult to do. This might involve side-stepping, double shuffle movements, or swerving for example.
A change in pace means the defender again has to match the attacker if he is to get into the correct position to tackle. The attacker can change from a slower pace to acceleration or vice versa by slowing down and then speeding up again he gives himself a split-second advantage.
Put your players into 1 v 1 and 2 v 2 situations and allow them to explore the possibilities. Players can discover their own strengths and weaknesses in this area.
Vary the type of defender the attacker is up against so that they learn the appropriate method to unsettle for example a prop as opposed to a winger.
Adapt the space given to the attackers so that they gain an awareness of what they can and cannot achieve.
The receiver has to beat a defender coming from different angles.
The receiver has to take a high ball and beat a defender who’s racing towards them.
The receiver has to beat the defender by carrying the ball in two hands – either dummy or pass.
in Footwork and evasion, Mini tag, Rugby drills
Create a competition to get to the line, with the attacker either using speed or evasive skills to beat a defender coming from a different angle. This easy to set up activity can be run as a breakout from games or as a large group in lots of boxes. Mix up the players so sometimes... MORE
in Attack, Defence, Rugby drills
Develop players’ balance and reaction in attack and defence. The session has lots of chances for good communication and teamwork. The movement disruption will mean players have to adjust their depth in attack or reconnect to the line in defence. MORE
in Passing & Handling, Rugby drills
Players work on their passing accuracy and then straight into a 2 v 1. The quick change should focus the players on working hard at executing their skills well. To improve passing, develop technique and then put it under pressure. This activity does both in a very short space of time. MORE
in Passing & Handling, Rugby drills
Without forcing the issue, use this race to illustrate to your players the need to run with two hands on the ball, so they can pass quickly and in both directions. Two hands on the ball means players are able to pass in any direction immediately, which is important to maintain continuity. MORE
in Passing & Handling, Rugby drills, Small-sided games
Use this game-exercise-game activity to develop passing skills for all ages of players. You control the intensity to suit the skills of the players. They have to inject the energy. Use a game to motivate the players to improve their passing, then develop it in an exercise before returning to the game. MORE
in Defence, Rugby drills
Put pressure on attacking teams by changing the angles of defensive lines. Either they are drifting out or cutting in to force the attacking team in or out. This is a simple session to create a sophisticated defence where each defender decides the best course of action to stop an attack. A very competitive activity.... MORE
