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Develop players’ balance and reaction in attack and defence. This activity has lots of opportunity for communication and teamwork.
Players will have to adjust their depth in attack or reconnect to the line in defence.
Cones, two ruck pads, balls.
ACTIVITY: Three attackers start with their backs to lines of offset cones. Ask them to jog backwards in and out of the cones. Shout “Go!” - the attackers come forward to beat a pair of defenders in front of them. Develop by changing the distances between attack and defence and making the lines wider and more offset.
DEVELOPMENT: Place three defenders with their backs to the offset cones. Repeat the exercise as above but with four attackers coming forward. Develop the activity in the same way as above.
GAME: Put two sets of four players on the middle line. Have them walk/jog backwards. Call out who is going to attack as they move backwards - you can award it to the team that is moving back the quickest. Have the ball fed into the attackers and play touch or full contact. Allow rucks and mauls until there is a try or an infringement. Develop by asking a defender to drop out or asking one player to stay behind on the middle line.
1. The attackers jog backwards in and out of the cones
2. Call them to come forward and the feeder passes them the ball
3. The attackers aim to beat the ruck pad-holders in front of them
1. Three defenders jog backwards in and out of the cones
2. When you say “Go!” they have to recover and defend the attack
3. Use touch tackling
1. Two teams jog backwards
2. Shout “Go!” at any stage and say which team is attacking
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