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Rugby: Mid-Space attack

What a fantastic tool. I've found a few drills that are unfamiliar,...

Wes, Rugby Coach

DESCRIPTION

There are 4 cones in a rectangle , 2 red and 2 blue. The 2 defenders stand within the square, and on the coach's call, they must go and touch the called colour cone.

As the coach calls it the attackers can go.The ball starts with the attacker in the middle.

His aim is to attack the space in between the two players, and execute the first opportunity that presents itself. either one of the players will move in on him, therefore opening up space for the support runner on that side, or both will commit to him, or none in which case he is through!

COACHING POINTS

Ensure that the player with the ball is running to space, and not running towards a defender and fixing him
The aim is to draw both defenders attention, and the first one that commits opens the door for the pass and the score

PROGRESSION

If you want to progress the drill further, bring in more colours for the defenders to work towards, forcing them to run into different directions. You can also force them to start in a specific area within the grid, by assigning them starting positions, also with the help of the trustworthy cone.

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OFTEN USED WITH...

Hit The Gap Drill:

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.

Decision making

Race to cone - 3 v 2:

One ball and 6 cones.

15m x 15m.

Setup the practice as shown. The first two players run up to the half way line of the grid and place the ball down before continuing their run to the end of the grid before turning around to defend.

The remaining 3 players (attackers) can go as soon as the ball is placed down and then they play a 3 v 2.

Decision making

Listen to the call - 2 vs 1:

4 Cones and 1 Ball inside a 10m x 10m Grid.

Number the players.

The coach shouts out a number and that player is the defender, who has to run to the end line. The other two players are attackers, who run to the opposite end to collect a ball before having a 2 v 1 with the defender.

Decision making

Handling - The well weighted pass:

Players line up on the left hand side of each gate and they start in a line, 5m down from the first gate.

The player on the left starts to run with the ball and as he passes the gate, must pass through the agility poles to the receiver.
The receiver collect and runs straight and does the same.

Handling

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