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Rugby: Defending in Threes

Sportplan rugby has played a large role in my team's love for the...

Heather, Rugby Coach

DESCRIPTION

Set up 4 grids of about 8-10m by 5m.

3 players start on the first grid, working from one end to the other, covering the 5m distance.

The aim is to stay in one straight line as they go up, and also keep themselves evenly spaced
Once they have achieved that, they fall back into the next grid diagonally across and back. Now there should be 6 players on the line, and they all work together to come off the line, as one.

Players continue working like this, until they reach the end of the grid.

Once the coach blows his whistle the line may press off.

COACHING POINTS

Defending in pod of three means you as a player need only worry about the player directly to your left and your right. If every player does that, then essentially the defensive line should be in order.

Therefore every player is a 2nd player between 2 players, with the exception of the 1st and last player in the line.

PROGRESSION

Progress the drill by forcing players to look in front of them.

Hold up colour cones in front of each box (ask an assistant to help if possible) and one colour at the source (ruck). While performing the drill players must call out these colours, even as they change.

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OFTEN USED WITH...

Flat Defence:

Players line up together along the line of the 1st set of cones.

On the signal of the coach all the players advance to the 3rd set of cones (20 meters away), making sure they all keep together in a straight line.

The players then retreat 10 meters to the 2nd set of cones, making sure they stay in line.

From the 2nd set of cones the players then advance a further 20 metres to the 4th set of cones and then retreat 10 meters back, to the previous set of cones.

Defensive Patterns

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

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

3 on 2 Attack and Defence Drill:

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.

Passing

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