Rugby: Switch Over Attack

Drill to practice inside running lines (switches) in attack.

Set up a 10m x 10m square (green cones) with two attackers (blue) on one side of the square, and one defender (red) on the other side of the square on the left hand side (see diagram).

The attacker with the ball runs forward, then diagonally across the square towards the diagonally opposite cone, to get the defender to chase him.

The second attacker also runs forward, then switches back across the square towards where the defender has come form.

The ball carrier turns towards his outside and passes to the other attacker who is running a switch. They then score over the try-line marked by the green cones.

If the defender holds for the switching player, the ball carrier should continue running and score over the try-line marked by the green cones.

• Tell your players the following......

1. The first line of attackers move forward, passing the ball down the line.
2. The entire group switches position to the right side of the grid, and attacks as a line.
3. They then attack down the grid through the top of the grid, facing the next line of attack.

• Keep your player briefing, brief!
• Tell your players the folloiwng.........
  1. Players should be moving, staying around 5 meters part - running with the ball and attacking space.
  2. Players make 10 passes and then:
  3. Make figure 8 between legs.
  4. Partner does the same after another 10 passes.
  5. 10 passes then throw ball up and make a 360 degree turn to catch it before it hits the floor.
  6. 10 passes then throw ball overhead and catch it behind back.
• You might consider asking players to pass the ball with just one hand, off their hip

5 players in a group, line up within touching distance of one another, facing the coach who has a ball in his hand.

The coach then calls "turnover" and the Players quickly get width, but are not allowed to work backwards to get depth.

Once the players get depth the coach lets the first man off the mark by popping the ball in the air, as it is popped he moves off the mark and accelerates onto the ball and moves forward.