Rugby: Speed, timing of run and talking in defence

Sportplan rugby has played a large role in my team's love for the...
Heather, Rugby Coach

DESCRIPTION

Split your players into two teams and line them up behind four cones.

The side with the ball sends out two players in a 2v1. The opposite side must communicate so that only one player runs out to defend against the 2 attackers.

Defenders must talk to decide who is going out to defend. If two defenders run out to defend then all players on that team must perform 10 press ups to reinforce the importance of communication in defense.

COACHING POINTS

Important ball carrier is always at full speed.

Look to use shotgun technique. Attackers can dummy.

Progression:

Keep changing size of grid. Ideally you don't want more than 12 working each grid, otherwise they are standing around too much.

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Defense vs attack drill

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.

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