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Rugby: 3 on 2 Attack and Defence Drill

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Eifion, Rugby Coach

DESCRIPTION

Set an area with two different coloured cones on the touch line in the middle, one for defenders and one for attackers. At the prompt of the coach the players run around designated cones and attack the defenders to score. Ball carrier should initiate the attack by attacking the inside shoulder of the first defender to stop a drift defence.

Draw the first defender and make the pass to your next support runner who should do the same to pass to the outside runner who can go and score. Once attacked three or four times players should swap to defence but not every single time to create continuity and positive development.

COACHING POINTS

Attack at speed to create depth for support runners. Turn defenders hips to prevent drift defence. Once defender is drawn in make pass to second player and repeat for next pass.

Keep depth and give target to receive the pass. Communicate effectively in defence and attack. Defenders try to keep body as square to attackers as possible to move onto another attacker and avoid been beaten.

PROGRESSION

Give defenders commands to attack certain players etc so that attackers must react to what is in front of them instead of repeating the same thing over and over which is unrealistic to game situations.

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OFTEN USED WITH...

Drift defence:

4 Tackle Bags.

10 Cones and 1 Ball.

10m x 30m.

The first player in the line begins with the ball. As he approaches the first cone and passes to player 2 who is supporting. Player 1 carries on their run and hits the tackle bag before running backwards to player 2 original position. Player 2 on receiving the ball passes the ball onto player 3 before hitting the tackle bag and back pedalling to player 3 original position.

When the ball reaches player 5, that player side steps behind the others back to position 1 where the drill is repeated.

Defensive Patterns

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

Defence - Swimming in Twos:

2 defenders work together to force 5 players to pass and work them towards touch.

The golden rule is for them to keep their spacing even, ensure that the inside defender covers the outside defenders inside, and that they do not rush up to commit to the tackle, but hover across and "swim" past the passer to reach the next and the next attacker.

If an attacker draws and passes so well that he then tries to block the defender, he needs to work hard and swim across that blocker to return to his defending role.

Defensive Patterns