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Rugby: Simple Drift Defence

Great site and excellent drills. Easy to understand and apply in training....
Tyrone, Rugby Coach

DESCRIPTION

  • 3 attacks - 2 defenders
  • Scrum half passes to first receiver of group of 3
  • 3 attack 2 passing ball down line

    • COACHING POINTS

  • 2 defenders move forward fast (line speed)
  • Stay balanced
  • First defender pushes onto 2nd attacker when ball is passed
  • 2nd defender pushes (drifts) onto 3rd attacker when instructed by 1st defender.
  • Defender changes footwork to short steps as space is closed down.
  • Arms out making defenders big
  • Communication must be loud and decisive.

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    OFTEN USED WITH...
    Drift defence | 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
    Flat Defence | Defensive Patterns

    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
    Structure Defence | Defensive Patterns

    Structure Defence:

  • 5 attackers - 10 defenders (or 2 to 1 ratio dependent on numbers)
  • Start slowly with ruck ball
  • Defenders cannot steal ball
  • Attackers recycle ball
  • Defenders realign
  • Coach calls tackle made
  • Coach controls speed of ball available

    • Defensive Patterns
    Man to Man | Defensive Patterns

    Man to Man:

    3 attackers and 2 defenders.

    The scrum half passes to the first receiver of group of 3 attackers.

    The 3 attacking players must then pass the ball down the line as they attempt to beat the defenders.

    Defensive Patterns
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