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Rugby: 3 v 2 Fixing Defenders

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

Heather, Rugby Coach

DESCRIPTION

This is a backs moves passing exercise, aimed at drawing and fixing up a defender, to give a supporting teammate more space and take the defender out of the play
3 attackers line up along one side of the area, 2 defenders stand next to each other on the short side next to the coach
On GO, the defenders run into position and the coach passes to the first attacker
The attacker runs with the ball towards the first defender before passing sideways to their teammate
That player then runs at the second defender and before contact passes across to the spare attacker to run to the other end of the area.

COACHING POINTS

Attackers should directly at the defender to make them think that they need to make a tackle
Then as late as possible make the pass
Ensure passes are of a good height and weight to other attackers
Defenders will understand the point of the exercise, but should still act as if they don't know what the attackers will do.

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OFTEN USED WITH...

L-Shaped Passing:

Lets get the ball and the players moving with lateral passing through the hands. Each training area only needs one ball, and that ball should start with the any of the two players at the very ends of the L.

Tell players to move forward, passing the ball down the line. When the ball gets to the last receiver, that player will pass it to the first receiver in the next line that is waiting to go.
They should advance right away. Allow the players to simply move the ball down the line.

Sevens

4v3 Passing Channel:

This is a 4 v 3 overload drill in favour of the attackers
The area is set out, with four attackers spread out across the back line, three defenders 5 yards in front them, and another row of three defenders 5 yards behind them
On GO, the coach passes to the first attacking player, and the ball travels along the line to eventually reach the end player
That player is then first to reach the next line of defenders, and the ball is passed back along the line and the original attacker should receive the ball in space to 'score a try'.

Passing

3 v 2 Reverse Drill:

Drill to practice 3 v 2 attacking scenarios.

Set up a channel 20m long and 15m wide with cones every 10m along the length (red, yellow, green).

Set up 5 lines of players between the first two cones, the two players on each end are the defenders (red), and the three in the middle are attackers (blue).

The ball starts with one of the defenders on one side and that player runs forward and throws a long pass to the defender at the other end of line. He then continues his run around the far (green) cone to defend.

The defender who has caught the ball puts it down on the middle (yellow) cone and continues his run around the far (green) cone to defend.

Once the second defender has put the ball down on the yellow cone the attackers may begin their attack. The player nearest the cone runs to pick up the ball and then they attack the two defenders, trying to score over the line marked by the green cones.

PROGRESSION:

Start from the opposite side to practice passing in both directions.

Reduce the width of the channel to make it harder for the attackers to score

Add a defender to come round late and create a 2 v 1 after the 3 v 2

Passing

3 v 1 Grid:

6x6m Grid
Ball

Players line up in 3s opposite sides of the grid.
Simply pass the ball along the line.
1 defender is in the middle of the grid putting pressure on all ball carriers.
Once hand completed the next line starts immediately.
Defender swaps out when there is a mistake or when he touches someone with the ball.