Rugby: Scramble Defence Drill

Starting with their backs to one another, two players stand 5 metres apart and run off in opposite directions along one side of the 20 metre grid.

At the corners of square each player cuts back into the grid and the player with the ball attempts to score by running with the ball into the far corner. The blue player's objective is to tackle them and prevent them from scoring.

The group is split in half.

The coach is positioned behind the defenders and instructs the movement of the attackers, who are holding tackle shields.

Defenders must mirror the movement of the attackers.

If the coach indicates right, the attackers move right.

If the coach raises his hands in the air, the attackers move forwards and the defenders move up in a line to meet the tackle shields.

The two lines then retreat and the drill continues.

The first player moves forwards, makes contact with the tackle bag and retreats diagonally to the line of cones.

The next player joins the line and both the players move forward and hit the tackle bag or shield before retreating back to the line again.

The third player then joins the line and all three players go out to meet the tackle bag, shield or fall on the ball.

Drill continues with all players involved.

• groups of 2 

One player uses footwork and fast feet to try and lose his shadow (the other player) 

The shadow has to try and keep in line as much as possible with the player trying to escape.