Good and bad reasons to take contact
Expose weak defenders by taking contact. This creates opportunities to isolate them in the defensive line and then attack them through that channel. MORE
Take out tacklers to improve defensive units
If you have good tacklers but a poor defensive unit, use this game where small groups of defenders have to work hard to prevent tries as a team, says Craig Newby, Ulster skills coach. Using shorter, sharper sessions means players can concentrate on getting things right and also play at match-like intensity. This type of session is also far more enjoyable and means players give their all. MORE
Five tactics for playing in the rain
in Tactics
Wet weather changes the shape of the game. Here are five tactics to put into your rainy-day game plan. 1. TURNOVER AND KICK The high ball is an obvious weapon in wet weather. If the opposition fail to catch the high ball or knock it on, and your team gather it, it makes sense to... MORE
How formations, not moves, will create more opportunities for...
in Attack, Backs moves
We often need a collective movement in attack to break down a defence, because one player can't do it on their own. Leicester Tigers Junior Academy coach, Tom Brocklebank, discusses why you should think formations, not moves. MORE
Slow ball plays
in Attack
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! Get deep!
in Attack
“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
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
