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Rugby: Join the attack: 2v1 - 3v2 - 5v4

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Mokie, Rugby Coach

DESCRIPTION

With a group of nine, tell two of them they are attackers - for now. The rest will be in defence.
Allocate your defenders within the grid, one defender at defenders cone 1, two defenders at defenders cone 2, and three defenders at defenders cone 3. Tell the defenders that they can move side to side, but not forward and back.
Also - tell the players on defenders cones 1 and 2, that they will join the attack when they have finished their defensive duties. So after the first 2 v 1, the 1 defender joins the attack to make the next attack 3 v 2, when this attack is over - the two defenders join the attack to make the last attack 5 v 4.
Have your demonstration group quickly complete a walk through, then a run through. Now get the other groups working.
Don't forget to give the last four defenders a chance in attack.

COACHING POINTS

You may choose to focus on one or more of the following coaching points, or you might have some of your own!

Ball carrier carries the ball in both hands.
Support runners hold their depth coming onto the ball at pace.
Ball carriers change their foot speed and direction of running to draw defenders away from where their pass is going.
Support runner's work to draw defenders away from their running line. Communication between ball carrier and support runners is efficient, effective, encouraging, and timely.
Defenders work together to track and put attackers under pressure.
Attackers are creative in attack - employing switches, skip passes etc.
Passes are weighted correctly in terms of speed, distance and direction.
Ball receiver's hands are out.
Passes are where to receivers will be as opposed to where they are now.
Attackers may employ overs and unders to move defenders away from they wish to attack.
Encourage your players, the next pass is the most important!

PROGRESSION

Allow defenders to move up on the attack.

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OFTEN USED WITH...

One on One Race:

Tell the players: The player in possession of the ball when the coach blows their whistle has to run around the cone at the end of the grid to try and run the full length of the grid to score a try. The player from the opposition in line with the player that is running can try to stop the player scoring by running around the cone and tagging the runner before they reach the line.

For tag rugby players, provide all players with tags. In other variations decide on touch or contact, depending on how warm the players are - and your training goals.
Provide coaching on the go with encouraging feedback.

Warm Up

2 vs 1 - Decision Making:

Four players per group inside a 10m x 30m Channel. Requires 10 cones and 1 ball.

Two players start outside of the grid with two players inside. One of the outside players passes the ball to one of the inside players before both of the outside players (defenders) run through the red gates.

The two inside players (attackers) have to try and cross the try line before the defenders can tackle them, if the attackers are too slow they will create a two 2 v 1 situation.

Decision making

2 vs 1:

Coach starts with the ball and can throw the ball to either one of the outside players of the 3 players ready to play.

The player in the middle always joins the player receiving the ball to play a 2v1 against the the 3rd player who becomes the defender.

The attacking players run around the cone nearest to them and the defender runs in the opposite direction. When they meet inside the grid the attacking players must use the extra man to get around the defender - either by passing or taking the man on.

Decision making

3 vs 2 - Sprint to support:

15m x 35m Grid.

1 Attacker starts on the half way line of the grid, with the other two outside of the grid back to back with two defenders. On the command the one attacker runs around the red cone, with the other one running around the blue cone - likewise for the defenders.

Once they have run around the cones a 3 vs 2 will develop. If the player with the ball passes immediately this will give a 3 vs 2 in the middle of the pitch.

Decision making

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