Rugby: Defense vs attack drill

To make the players work harder poster high ability group, if they score, then they can attack the other way.  By having to turn if successful, you will develop natural competition which group do that most without a mistake (i.e. getting touched, forward pass, running out of the area etc)

continuous attack wire is handling under pressure and incorporates a large number of players. Emphasis on the execution of the skill and the timing of the past. Vital all players relentlessly, communicate and execute overlaps.  The aim is to get players comfortable taking, boring and passing. The better they are, the more defence can be active and faster players should perform the skill.  Hands up, timing of run, not drifting and fit speeder key.

Simple 3 v 2, with two defenders with tackle bags. The attackers must pass their way through the grid, using quick passes and good handling, while the defenders work hard to pressure them.

Players can run with the ball and pass in all directions. If a player is touched while in possession of the ball, it is an immediate turnover (ball put on the floor). The team that scores, turn to attack the other way. This rewards teams scoring and means defensive side have to work to get the ball back.

Set up two lines of 3 cones, about 10 meters apart, with players on each of the three cones. On the coach's whistle players play out a 3v2 (always 3 attackers and 2 defenders). Defenders should look initially to defend the first 2 attackers.

Turnover wall, decision-making, contact skills and gameplay.  Can change size of grid and number of defenders. Smaller grid = more contact likely.  Speed and targeting space is vital in attack.  Area is 30 m x 30 m. 4 attackers and 4 defenders

The game is to avoid contact, make sure the pads are not in a straight line to begin with. Attackers don't wait for defence to get organized. Go straight away as if turnover ball.

Change defenders every 30 seconds. Can be full contact.  If touched, attacker goes down and looks for offload.

Defender should try and keep shoulders square, close down space and focus on the attackers hips.  Attacker tries to stop and sprint to either the right left cone. Defender has to copy them.  Attacker should look and move the ball to be able to handoff defender. Attacker must be at full speed.

Drill can be full contact. Make sure the defender gets back to his feet quickly after the tackle to practice stealing the bal. Attacker presents the ball correctly.

Grid size is around 5x5m. You can keep changing the size of the grid.  The defender must shadow the attacker as they run towards a cone (left or right) before then trying to spring over the back line to score a try. The defender must touch the cone with their hand whereas the attacker doesn't have to (giving the attacker the advantage). Attacker is looking to score between the opposite cones.

If tackled and the offloaded on, get the support player to communicate it. It is a contact drill but if you want to eliminate contact, then you can have it as the 2 versus 1 exercise.

Decision-making in contact.  The aim is to get the ball carrier beyond the tackler and the support of players making decisions about who and the threats and who to clear out.  The coach throws one of the 4 players the ball, they then have to beat the defender inside the contact area without passing.  The other 3 players must run around cone (5 m to decide) before supporting.  4 attackers, 1 tackler and 2 pads  Pads can come forward once attacker enters contact area (5 m x 7 m)  Attacker sees footwork to trying get beyond defender. If they don't get tackled, then they look to score.   You can keep changing the number of pads. Keep changing who the primary attacker is.

To extend the drill, get the taxes to always back pedal and get them to have to go to the cone they weren't just that. This will aid communication in defense.  Important techniques worked on: line speed in defense keeping square in tackle low to high when clearing and in the tackle leg drive to get beyond tacklers active on floor stepping before contact clearing beyond ball

Work this fitness, defensive in line speed, communication, beating the defender and rucking.  Even number of players and pads. Pads 5 m in front of players.  Each time the coach throws the ball, players go forward (line speed) and make a tackle.  When the coach chooses, throw the ball to one of the players, who steps and tries to get through pads. The other 2 players looked clear beyond the ball.  Pad holders are active and try to stop the attacker. Defenders must talk and get onside.

The aim is to the defensive situation to keep changing the defence gets used to drifting or pressing.  The aim of the attack is to realign using the full width, get the ball out of the breakdown quickly (no matter what position you play), seeing space, communicating options and reading the defence.  Can be done with any number of players but best suited to around 7.  You will need 7 cones, 1 ball, a 40 m area, attack of line and try line.  Players passed the ball quickly down the line. When the ball gets halfway, the coach shouts out a number.  Number reflects the number of defenders.   The end player puts down the ball by pad, then the 2 defenders get onside (beyond defensive line) and defend against the other attackers.  The defenders need to work together. Stay tight and use the sideline extra defender. Drifting from the inside and pushing up and out.  Attack looks to use, player pace and beat the drift. Important defence talks and understand what they are doing in the changing circumstances.  With 4 attackers and 3 defenders, defenders might look for a blitz defence or up then drift.  Scrum-half can break so defence must defend at guard.  Attack should be looking up and reading the situation. If we have an overlap then as a unit we must understand how to fix defenders.  You must start to add a kicking option to advance the drill.   8 players, you can have a forward runner offering a shadow line of 10. He is involved in the passing down the line but is on a separate cone in the front of the 7. This fits in with the patterns and philosophy of attack.  You might get the forward to press ups or other exercise to replicate fatigue.

Only let the scrum-half password defense is ready. Defense should work with 90 seconds before changing. You can develop into full contact.

Excellent drill to put defenders in game situations and having to make decisions.  Defenders go from defending one side into the other. One side they looked a blitz because they have even number and tight space.  On the other wide side, defence will have to go up and drift because the attackers have more numbers and space.  1 scrum-half, 4/5 defenders. One side with 4/5 attackers in 15 m width. The other side with 6/7 attackers in a 40 m area.  Important that defenders talk what they are doing as the unit even when tired. Line speed is vital in both Blitz and drift. Must get guarding the position early.

To develop the exercise, get players to transfer the ball away from the pole to enable the hand off.

To challenge the attackers, get the 2nd player to put them under pressure.