Sharper angles

Get players to attack defenders in close or wide situations. They will have to see where to run and change angle sharply at pace to adjust.

Players need the confidence to change angles, especially those players who are not used to sprinting and conditioning.

ACTIVITY

1. Put four columns of players about 2m apart.
2. Have the first player run towards a gate about 5m in front of the middle of the columns. As he reaches the gate, indicate which coloured cones he has to run to after that.
3. Once the first player has reached the gate, the next player from the next column goes and so on. After each run, the player returns to a different column.

DEVELOPMENT

1. Push the coloured cones further back and sometimes change the colour indicated after the gate, so the player has to change direction twice.
2. Have the player receive a pass on the way to the gate.

GAME SITUATION

1. Put four defenders opposite four attackers as in the bottom picture. Each attacker has a ball.
2. Call out an attacker and then, a few moments later release a defender. The attacker has to get across the try line without being two-handed touched on the shorts.
3. The defender and attacker join the other team.

TECHNIQUE

• Run hard at the first gap, then change direction late.
• Look up and run upright to see where the gaps are.