Rugby: Running Lines and Breakdown Continuity

Groups of 4 and two groups of defenders with contact pads. 1 ball per group.

1. The ball carrier drives into the contact pads and presents ball backwards. Player 2 binds on, face to face and secures ball, player 3 binds on the other side to form a front row.
2. All attackers bind together and drive defenders back 2-3 metres. Player 4 takes ball out at back and runs back around cone with players 1-3 in support.
3. Repeat going back the other way until all attackers have practised each role.

This drill coaches players the lines they should run when receiving the ball in order to maximise the chance of them breaking the gain line.

• Use a tackle bag to simulate where the ruck and offside line would be.
• The players line up as if they were going to come "around the corner" to receive the ball.
• Players should run an L shaped running line to get across the first defender and then footwork to get through the second defender.

Progression (0.49) - Add an extra pass to the drill

• For the first receiver the drill is exactly the same in terms of the running line.
• Then there is a second player on his outside shoulder who uses the same running line to beat the second defender.
• The first receiver has a choice (1.19) - whether to go through the gain line and pass or pass before he gets to the gainline.

What is the gain line?

The gain line is an imaginary line in rugby parallel to the halfway line that is the back foot of the breakdown or the defences offsideline.

• Set up a 5mx5m grid
• Work in fours - two attacker and two defender
• The ball is fed from a player from the 1st defending player who also holds the tackle pad and will simulate the ‘jackal’ threat player in the 2v2
• The first attacking player receives the ball and engages the pad holder and passes to the second attacking player
• The second attacking player engages the second defender (tackler) and bounces out to a weak shoulder
• The first attacking player (inside clear out) and the 1st defending player (jackler) then try and race to support
• The inside clear looks to support the attacker and clear out the jackler

• Bags
• Balls 

2 attackers line up opposite 2 defenders with bosh bags. 

The coach delivers a ball into the attackers. 

The ball carrier aims to run an overs line - Outsid ehsoulder of first defdner, and attack the second defender.

The second attacker looks to leach on/latch on to the ball carrier pushing them through the contact area. 

Looking for a quick exstra few yards.