Any tips / drills to teach my team to support the No. 8?

Rugby CoachCoach

In Normal play the No8 is supported by his flankers and the scrom half, this also deepends on the choice of open or blind,? But you would normaly find the weekness and exploit that area.

ie-: if they have a winger who dose not tackle then it makes good sense for the N08 to charge straight at him with the blindside flanker and scrumhalf in support, but communication is key between scrumhalf and No8.

If the scrumhalf see's open space and needs the flanker taken out in open play then on which side it is he would tap the N08 on the left or the right to tell him that the side he wants him to pick up and go.

There is a simple drill using a scrumage machine its all about the vison the tap and the weak point or miss match.

I hope this helps you. 

Thierry BAROTCoach, Hong Kong

Ian, there is a full panel of pportunity to play around the scrum with number 8. first it is important to consideeeeerate the position of the opposition 9.

all the play on the right side of the scrum are possible, pass to N#9 are run and pass. on the left side it is more limited because the opposition N# 9 can be there ane very close.

And you can play the famous 9>13 cut with 8 the famous Zim Zam Brooke the AB use to play, check on youtube.

Don't hesitate to create. from the scrum the 2 back line are 10 meters away and any play from the back roll force the opposition forward to play the defense runing backward!

Cheers TB.