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Rugby: 5 Attacks 3

Your tips and session ideas have really brought some interest back...

Eifion, Rugby Coach

Using cones mark out the four corners and the midways points of each side of a 20 x 20 meter training area.
Divide your players into groups of 8, and allocate one group of 8 to each training area.
Have one coach at each training area, and one ball.
Each player should have their own cone to stand on, as shown in the diagram.
Have more than one training area in order to keep your players as busy as possible.
Tell your players the following......

This will be a 5 v 3 attacking opportunity for the 5 players given the ball.
There are 4 players on the midpoint positions, one on each side of the training area. The coach will give the ball to one of those players.
The 4 closest players will join the ball carrier in attack, the opposite 3 players will become defenders.
The try line is just across the defenders starting line.
The defenders operate within the laws of the game and should try to stop the attack by turning the ball, forcing a mistake, or pushing the attack out of the playing area.
The attack should aim to score a try, but should play within the laws of the game.
When the attack is over the coach will take the ball and players should return to their starting positions for the next attack.

Don't forget to give every player the opportunity to play in attack and defence by changing the starting position of the ball.

Attackers identify running lines that cut the drift, or attack space.
Attackers attack at pace, using all the space available.
The defence pushes up as a line, not on a blitz, but drifting, pushing the ball and the attack out of the box.
Attackers do not spin short passes.
Attackers run supporting pattern that allow them to take an off-load from contact.

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Tell your players the following......

Whichever group of 2 is given the ball becomes the attack, and should attack upon receiving the ball.
The opposite group of 2 becomes the defence, and should defend right away.
The object of the exercise is for the defence to turn the ball, and for the attack to score a try by cross the defences line and touching the ball down.
Dropped balls, knocked on, forward passes etc. are illegal and will be consider a point for the defence.
Illegal actions by the defence will be consider a point for the attack.
Each group of two should keep their own score.
When the attack is over, the ball should be returned to the coach for the next phase.

Have more than one training area in order to keep your players as active as possible.

Sevens

Tell your players the following.....

This game is about support and ensuring that support is close to the ball carrier.
This is a non contact game.
When the ball carrier is touch, they must stop and set the ball down.
Two attacking player must touch the ball carrier within 3 second.
If they make their target - any of the two supporting players can move the ball to continue the attack.
If the ball carrier is not touch by two other attacking players within 3 seconds - then the ball is turned over.
There is no set number of touches.
The ball will be turned over when the attacking team makes a mistake or do not meet their support target.
The defence must act within the laws of the game.

Sevens

Tell them the following......

The ball carrier will run forward with the ball, their partner will go with them in support.
The ball carrier will pass the ball to the supporting player, who is moving forward.
The new ball carrier will now pass the ball to the first receiver in the next group of two, who should be chasing - but no too close.
And so the exercise continues, with each set of two support the last set of two.
The challenge is, as well as good passing, is that the players should be around the 5 meter boxes and sprint back their starting position in order to keep the ball moving without stopping.

Sevens

Tell your players the following......

On the 4 players side, they will go 2 at a time in attack - the balls should be with these players. They will advance around the lower part of the training area.
On the 6 players side, they will go 3 at a time in order to provide 3 defenders, one will advance to the 7 meter marker, the second will go to the 14 meter marker, and the last will stay at the back of the grid. They will advance around the top part of the training area.
The attacking players will now face three 2 v 1 situations.
Once the attack finishes the two attacking players return to their starting position, the next two attackers go. At the same time the next three defenders go, while the last three defenders return to their starting position.