Rugby: Mid-Space attack

Basic skills training can be a chore, so use this plan to improve your team's overall performance, in preparation for the start of the new season

A drill to practice decision making and finding space between defenders.

Set up a line of three defenders with tackle shields (roughly 2m apart), with one defender 2/3m behind the middle defender (blue - see diagram).

Roughly 5m opposite the defenders set up three attackers, one opposite the middle defender with the ball and one either side of the ball carrier (red - see diagram).

When the ball carrier starts running towards the defenders the defender behind moves in to fill one of the defensive gaps. The attackers must successfully select the space and pass the ball to the player to run through the gap and score.

PROGRESSION:

Defenders put more pressure on attackers.

All players must touch the ball. The third attacker must get through their space as a support player.

The ball starts on one side instead of in the middle and players have to call whether the space is the first gap or the second gap, in which case the ball carrier should through a miss-pass.

Setup the practice as shown. The first two players run up to the half way line of the grid and place the ball down before continuing their run to the end of the grid before turning around to defend.

The remaining 3 players (attackers) can go as soon as the ball is placed down and then they play a 3 v 2.

4 Cones and 1 Ball inside a 10m x 10m Grid.

Number the players.

The coach shouts out a number and that player is the defender, who has to run to the end line. The other two players are attackers, who run to the opposite end to collect a ball before having a 2 v 1 with the defender.

Players line up on the left hand side of each gate and they start in a line, 5m down from the first gate.

• The player on the left starts to run with the ball and as he passes the gate, must pass through the agility poles to the receiver.
• The receiver collect and runs straight and does the same.