Rugby: 2 vs 1 Gauntlet

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.

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.

Drill to improve short space and wide space overlap play.

Set up a grid 15m wide, split into a 5m channel and a 10m channel, and 10m long (see diagram).

4 attackers (red) line up along one side, A1 and A2 within the 5m channel opposite D1(blue). A3 and A4 line up in the 10m channel opposite D2 and D3.

A1 and A2 run a 2v1 against D1 in the 5m channel. When A2 receives the ball they run out of the 5m channel into the 10m channel and into a 3v2 situation linking with A3 and A4 attacking D2 and D3.

D2 and D3 can't move until A2 enters the 10m channel, and to start with can only move laterally along the try line.

DISCUSSION:

If players are struggling to execute the 3 v 2 situation, widen the 10m channel to 15m and once they have success at this width bring the channel back to 10m wide.

PROGRESSION:

D2 and D3 can move off the line to put pressure on the attack once A2 enters the 10m channel.

A drill to practice decision making and finding space between defenders.

Set up a line of three defenders with tackle shields (roughly 2m apart), with one defender 2/3m behind the middle defender (blue - see diagram).

Roughly 5m opposite the defenders set up three attackers, one opposite the middle defender with the ball and one either side of the ball carrier (red - see diagram).

When the ball carrier starts running towards the defenders the defender behind moves in to fill one of the defensive gaps. The attackers must successfully select the space and pass the ball to the player to run through the gap and score.

PROGRESSION:

Defenders put more pressure on attackers.

All players must touch the ball. The third attacker must get through their space as a support player.

The ball starts on one side instead of in the middle and players have to call whether the space is the first gap or the second gap, in which case the ball carrier should through a miss-pass.