EXPERT SESSIONS AND ADVICE FROM QUALIFIED AND EXPERIENCED GRASSROOTS RUGBY COACHES
This is an exciting play and now common in the pro-game, normally going from a scrum with multiple options. It tests the opposition with an unusual starting positioning, which forces them to make defensive reads at the line. It can be used from second phase too.
This is how England used it to score against Italy in 2015.
From an attacking scrum on the right hand side, England set up with a 10 and 14 in behind the scrum. This kept Italy’s 9 (Gori) tight to the scrum and created one-on-ones in the midfield.
England passed from 9 to 12, with 13 running a short line, checking the Italian 12 (Masi) and making him late to defend 10 (Ford) out the back.
Ford attacked the line, whilst England’s 15, (Watson) bounced out, bringing Italy’s 13 (Morisi) with him.
This, along with Ford’s dummy, created the space for 14 (Joseph) to hit the line at pace and race through untouched to score.
Set up with 10 and 14 directly behind the scrum. 12 can stand wide, outside the opposition 10. 15 can start narrow to allow for the bounce out.
9 to 12, 12 needs to attack the line and get the opposition 10 and 12 to check and step in. 10 runs a deep, wide arc, so not to get hit “man-and-ball” from 12’s pass behind 13.
10 squares up the attack, stopping the opposition 12 from drifting. 15 runs out and away from the pass, giving vocal and visual cues to sell the decoy line. 10’s dummy pass will force 13 wide leaving space for 14 to hit a line from his hidden position.
A sympathetic “shoulder” ball pass whilst blocking the defence will leave 14 in space.
With multiple options at the line, if run again, 12 and 13 could be the options if the defence drift off too early, expecting a wide play.
in Attack, Rugby coaching videos
If you are going to play with width, then you are find yourself playing from a ruck which starts on the touchline. This can be easy to defend, so you need to develop tactics to outwit the opposition. Here's an option from quick ball, using forwards. MORE
in Attack, Touch, Tag & Sevens
Use this activity as part of your sevens tournament warm-up or to develop your players awareness of passing and then supporting the pass. Also good for general handling too. The ball carrier must engage the defence first by running forward, then passing. Once he’s passed the ball, he should drop in behind the receiver (“into... MORE
Not making progress in attack? Here are the four biggest mistakes Sean Holley sees in the way teams train and play. It prevents them from creating try-scoring opportunities he explains... MORE
A quickly executed attack from turnover possession causes the opposition problems. This activity focuses on players’ decision making after winning turnover possession. MORE
in Attack, Rugby drills, Small-sided games, Tactics
Mismatches happen quickly and players need to judge when to go for it and when not to. There’s no better way to create lots of these scenarios than through a game. MORE
in Attack, Rugby drills, Tactics
Use this easy to replicate play for under 15 level players and above with forwards and backs combining, to allow momentum for better attacking plays. MORE
