WHY USE IT

Long kicks are very much a part of any team’s attacking strategy, so your wingers and full-back need to know their positioning. Your midfield players also need to understand how to support the counter attack.

set up

Use six counter-attackers against four defenders, on one half of a normal pitch. Use one ball, and cones to mark out a ruck or scrum just inside the halfway line.

HOW TO PLAY

Activity: Play normal rugby rules. Restart the game after any infringement, or if a ruck forms. Make sure the wingers and full-back start in their likely starting positions when defending a ruck or scrum. Move the starting point around. Kick the ball into a variety of places, high and low. The counter-attacking group can kick. Score 3 points for a try scored over the halfway line; 2 points for a legal kick into touch over the halfway line; and 1 point for a legal kick into touch over the 10m line.

COACHING POINTS

• What to call out: “Run to space”, “Call early for the ball”.
• This is part of your counter-attacking strategy and tactics. Work on different scenarios to challenge your players to come up the solutions.
• Think about your team’s kicking options when counter attacking.

Set up a ‘ruck’ area, with players arranged as in the illustration

Kick the ball into the backfield. Play normal rugby rules until there is an infringement or ruck

The attack score by crossing the halfway line in possession, without running through the ‘ruck’