Create a creative defence

CHALLENGE

Make the attack change their plans, and so reduce their effectiveness.

HOW TO DO IT

Activity

• Put two defenders inside one half of a 20m x 10m box and three attackers at one end with a feeder to the side. The defenders start from the 5m line first.
• The defenders and attackers run into position (you can count down from 5). Then release the attack. Playing full contact or grab tackles, the defence has to prevent the attack getting to the try line. Give defenders three goes before swapping.
• The defenders should experiment with different starting points.

Developments

• Have the defenders start on the 10m line.
• Add an attacker next to the feeder who supports the tackled player – perhaps looking for an offload or to clear the defender.
• Make the box wider and add a defender by the feeder who supports the defence.

Game situation

• Put three defenders at the end of a 35m x 10m box and four attackers with a feeder at the other end. Put another defender next to the feeder. Indicate which the length of the try line the defenders have got to mark (A=15m, B=25m or C=35m).
• Give the defenders a couple of seconds to adjust and then play with full tackling. Adjust how close the defenders start to the feeder. However, one defender must start on the backline.

ACTIVITY