Switch or attack the same way

WHY USE IT

Creates opportunities to stretch the defence, and then attack where they are weakest.

set up

A 60m wide pitch, split into three, with a 30m middle zone, and two 15m corridors on the ends.

how to play it

Game 1: Play touch rugby. If a player is two-hand touched, and can’t pass immediately, they go to ground. One attacker must go over the touched player. If an attacker hasn’t gone over the ball, a defender can try to touch the ball for a turnover. If the touch is made in the middle corridor, the next pass from a player on the ground must be towards the same touchline as the direction of play. If the play reaches the corridors on the edge, passes can then be towards either touchline. If a pass is made against the grain in the middle, then it’s a turnover.

Game 2: Same as above, except play can switch in the middle corridor. If it does, the play must break the advantage or gain line, which is in line with the previous ruck.

coaching points

• Run straight and then pass.
• Look up and call when to switch the play.

Games

Play touch rugby

Two-handed touch. Can pass immediately, or go to ground, and one attacker goes over the tackled player. Turn over the ball if a defender can touch it on the ground before an attacker goes over the ball

GAME 1

• If the play has come from the left, then, at the tackle, the play must keep going towards the right touchline, otherwise it’s a turnover
• In the ’can switch’ corridors, can play in either direction
  
  

Game 2

• Allowed to switch direction, but must make the advantage line (or gain line), which is across the pitch from the tackle
• In the ’can switch’ corridors, can play in either direction

CHALLENGING THE PLAYERS

Technical

• Do you need to be deeper or flatter when you have quick ball?
• When is it right to use miss passes?

Tactical

• Who calls the switch in play?
• Can you kick to score?
• Create 10 second tactical huddles for discussion
• Listen in, but don’t add any of your thoughts
• Praise good tactical ideas to boost confidence

Game changers

• Take away the corridors
• Restart the game with ‘set pieces’, so forwards are bunched