Rugby: Simple Back Line

10 is the ball carrier, advancing forward, before cutting in as shown in the diagram. Both 12 and 13 advance, then change direction as shown in the diagram. 12 and 13 switch. 10 provides a pass to 13, who either hits the opposition defensive line at an angle before straightening up. Think about what will happen next. Could 10 follow the pass and take an off-load on an inside ball, if 13 gets past the gain line could 15 and 14 off wide support? Make this move your own!

Moving the ball along the line this play sees 11 run up behind 10 to support the line and blind side the opposition. 10 plays a pop pass for 11 to run onto.

9 10 miss 12 straight to 13 with 15 running a support line. 15 needs to run into the hole wherever it is. Needs to 'check / scan'!

Carries the ball forward, inviting the defence to press up. 10 Passes to 12. 10 loops around 12 following their pass, 10 should aim to draw attention to their run, they are a decoy. 11 presses up, and and then at speed changes the angle of their run, hitting the inside shoulder of 12. This pass should be as close to the opposition defence as possible. 12 passes to 11, 11 take on an angle. Think about what will happen next. Could 12 cancel and offer an outside ball to 10, could 11 pass to 13 and then out via the rest of the back-line. It's vital that your team makes this move your own!

Use the diagram in order to think about the starting position of your players, I suggest that they are not too deep for this one. 10 passes the ball to 12. 11 loops behind 12. 12 advances with the ball. 12 pass the ball to 11, this should be a close to the defensive line as possible. 13 runs a line, at speed, close the space between them and 11. 11 does their best to avoid contact, but if they do take contact, they should attempt to off-load to 13.

9 10 12 miss 13 to 15 and 14

9 10 miss 12 straight to 13 -overline- with 15 running an underline straight to 14. 14 needs to run into the hole in front of them wherever it is. Needs to 'check / scan'.

Working on basic hands this play sees your line passing the ball, missing out 11 and passing to 15 as they join to support the line. So passing goes from 9 to 10, 10 to 12, 12 to 13 and then 13 to 15. 15 needs to run into the hole wherever it may be, remembering to check and scan looking for the right time to create the overlap.

9 10 miss 12 straight to 13 -overline- with 15 also running an overline straight to 11 looping behind. 11 needs to run into the hole in front of them wherever it is. Needs to 'check / scan'.

9 10 miss 12 straight to 13 -over line- with 15 also running an over line straight to 14. 14 needs to run into the hole in front of them wherever it is. Needs to 'check / scan'.

You see this a lot on TV, where centres overrun the ball and the miss pass goes behind them 9 10 12 miss 13 -running an overline- to 15 & 14

Simple demonstration of a standard back line 9 10 12 13 15 14

9 10 12 13 14 with 15 running a dummy underline