Tactics

Slow ball plays

When you can’t clear the ball from a ruck quickly, you need to have some easy set-ups so you can restart your attack. Translate these plays effectively from drawing board to training to matches. MORE

Effective multi-phase rugby

in Attack, Rugby drills

Good shape in rugby means your players are into position quickly to attack from the next phase. The shape refers to threatening alignments, with all ball-carrying options well supported. MORE

“Get deep!” is a common call to get the backline to be in a position to run onto the ball. One way is to ask the players whether they can see the number on the back of the inside player. How can you create better scenarios though? You can create scenarios where the players must run into position and then react. That’s because the game is dynamic – rucks and/or mauls happen at different speeds. MORE

Space race

in Attack, Small-sided games

Players must win the race to the best space when attacking. In defence, players must work early, scan early and look to close space to force errors. Attackers seek space, defenders take it away. This is also true over the ball. Run this game over a series of sessions to gain the most benefit as the players develop their understanding of the tactical implications. MORE

Help 10 learn to control

in Attack

How do you put your 10 in the right situations in training to allow them to feed their team mates at the right times with the right sorts of passes and plays? The player who wears 10 is called variously, stand-off, fly-half, pivot, first five-eighth, as well as few less complimentary terms when they drop the ball or kick poorly. MORE

Attack-a-palooza

in Attack, Rugby drills, Small-sided games

It is an oft-used mantra to ‘play what you see’. With this in mind, here's a fun way to ask your players to read a defence and react in a manner that brings success. MORE

3 ways to feed the wingers

in Attack, Tactics

Your wingers want the ball but it seems to get trapped with the centres. There are three reasons for this other than greedy players or the defence coming up fast and even sometimes offside. MORE

Effectiveness rules

in Attack, Rugby coaching

While clever plays, fast defences and sheer guts will feature highly in the up-coming bruising Six Nations tournament, effectiveness in the tackle area and handling will make a massive difference, a difference you can replicate with your teams. MORE

Put kicking into a game

in Kicking, Kicking & Catching, Rugby drills

With the new 50 – 22 Laws, this skill practice aims to aid a kicker with an opportunity to identify where an opposition is weakest. MORE

Attack from a standing start