This ’cut off options game’ is a great way to enable your players to identify when to apply pressure to prevent a territory gain and slow down the opposition’s ball.

Going forward, or ’go getting’, reduces the attack’s time, space and available options.

The game focuses on the defence fulfilling their primary roles at rucks and then spotting opportunities when they have identical, or greater, numbers to get off the line quickly.

They will try to reduce the opposition’s time and space, aiming to cut off any attacks going wide and forcing them back inside towards defenders and contact.

How it works

Set up a 7v7. The attack has two phases to score - this can be increased to a maximum of four phases.

The attack chooses the starting point on the field, which can be anywhere in their own half.

Start from a ruck position with the ball carrier on the ground, a support player over the ball and a 9 in place ready to play the ball away. Number the defence 1-6, with one sweeper, who does not have a number.

Start the game by calling out two or three of the defenders’ numbers. Those players must rush to the breakdown and do three push-ups. When you shout “Play!”, the attack starts.

The sweeper cannot come into the defensive line until the ball has been played.

When touched, the ball carrier can make an immediate offload or go to ground and present the ball in another ruck, with one player over the ball in support and another to play the ball away.

Any defensive players who touch the ball carrier must immediately get down and do three push-ups. If two make the touch, both do three push-ups.

Example 1