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Rugby: blitz

blitz DRILLS
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4 vs 3 team shapes/backs moves attacking drill

Drill to practice team shapes or backs moves against a defence with less numbers than the attack. Set up a "ruck" with a scrum half/feeder, 3 defenders on the back foot of the "ruck" and 4 attackers opposite them. The attackers attack the defence, then turn round and attack back the way they have just come. Progressions: Change the set up of the attack, for example a blindside winger or full back in behind Change the number of attack/defence Change the defensive system (e.g. hammer, blitz, ice, up and out, umbrella)

Backs Moves

5 Attacks 3

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.

Sevens

Defense vs attack drill

The aim is to the defensive situation to keep changing the defence gets used to drifting or pressing. The aim of the attack is to realign using the full width, get the ball out of the breakdown quickly (no matter what position you play), seeing space, communicating options and reading the defence. Can be done with any number of players but best suited to around 7. You will need 7 cones, 1 ball, a 40 m area, attack of line and try line. Players passed the ball quickly down the line. When the ball gets halfway, the coach shouts out a number. Number reflects the number of defenders. The end player puts down the ball by pad, then the 2 defenders get onside (beyond defensive line) and defend against the other attackers. The defenders need to work together. Stay tight and use the sideline extra defender. Drifting from the inside and pushing up and out. Attack looks to use, player pace and beat the drift. Important defence talks and understand what they are doing in the changing circumstances. With 4 attackers and 3 defenders, defenders might look for a blitz defence or up then drift. Scrum-half can break so defence must defend at guard. Attack should be looking up and reading the situation. If we have an overlap then as a unit we must understand how to fix defenders. You must start to add a kicking option to advance the drill. 8 players, you can have a forward runner offering a shadow line of 10. He is involved in the passing down the line but is on a separate cone in the front of the 7. This fits in with the patterns and philosophy of attack. You might get the forward to press ups or other exercise to replicate fatigue.

School

Defense, drift and blitz 2

Only let the scrum-half password defense is ready. Defense should work with 90 seconds before changing. You can develop into full contact.

School

Defense, drift and blitz

Excellent drill to put defenders in game situations and having to make decisions. Defenders go from defending one side into the other. One side they looked a blitz because they have even number and tight space. On the other wide side, defence will have to go up and drift because the attackers have more numbers and space. 1 scrum-half, 4/5 defenders. One side with 4/5 attackers in 15 m width. The other side with 6/7 attackers in a 40 m area. Important that defenders talk what they are doing as the unit even when tired. Line speed is vital in both Blitz and drift. Must get guarding the position early.

School

Defensive Systems - Structure Progression.

1. Defensive Organisation 4 Defenders line up on the the cones. When coach goes to pass the ball, when hands are on the defenders get line speed, making lots of noise and staying connected. After each rep the players move along the cones back trackign until the reach the end, this is continuous. 2. 3 v 2 In a 5mx5m grid, 3 attackers attack 2 defenders. Same focus on the defence on when to drift or make the takle on attackers. Lots of communcitaion and line speed is key. 3. Kick out touch- Reduced Defence. A defending player kicks the ball from the back of the pithc to attacking team. Attacking team has more players than defensive system to induce a counter attack situation. Players will learn to fill space with fewer numbers aswell as being a good attacking practice identifying space and overlaps.

Defensive Patterns

Drift, Cover or Blitz Touch

During a game of touch in a grid sized 30 x 30 metres the coach can choose to call blitz, drift or cover at any breakdown. Upon hearing the call the defenders must run and touch the relevant line before running back to rejoin the game. When the defenders are running to touch their line the attackers must turn their back on the defenders and give the ball to the coach. When the defenders are almost back in position the coach should roll the ball back to the attackers to restart the game. The coach can later develop the game by introducing a visual clue to the defenders, instead of an audio cue, thus forcing the attackers to react to an unknown type of defence.

Match Related

STATIC 1

See the diagram for suggested starting positions. 10 and 12 remain static, the other players are in motion, offering options. 10 and 12 invite the defence to press up at speed. 10 passes to 12. 11 cuts in on 12's shoulder. 12 passes to 11. 15 and 13 provide alternative options.

Backs Moves

STATIC 2

See the diagram for suggested starting positions. 10, 12, 13, will be starting very flat with minimal movement. 11 will provide a decoy or cancel option. 15 will hit in and up on 13's shoulder. 14 will provide support to 15, 10 passes to 12. 12 passes to 13. 15 takes an inside pop at speed.

Backs Moves

STATIC 3

See the diagram for suggested starting positions. 10, 12, 13, will be starting very flat with minimal movement. 11 will provide a decoy or cancel option. 15 will hit in and up on 13's outside shoulder. 14 will provide support to 15, cutting in and then up. 10 passes to 12. 12 passes to 13. 15 takes an outside pop at speed.

Backs Moves

Drift, Cover or Blitz Touch Ma...

During a game of touch in a grid sized 30 x 30 metres the coach can choose to call <em>blitz</em>, <em>drift</em> or <em>cover</em> at any breakdown. Upon hearing the call the defenders must run and touch the relevant line before running back to rejoin the game. When the defenders are running to touch their line the attackers must turn their back on the defenders and give the ball to the coach. When the defenders are almost back in position the coach should roll the ball back to the attackers to restart the game. The coach can later develop the game by introducing a visual clue to the defenders, instead of an audio cue, thus forcing the attackers to react to an unknown type of defence.

General

Blitz Defence Defensive Patter...

WHY?Put pressure on attacking side. Force ball back inside. More numbers in defence than attackers. WHEN?When the ball is at the edge of the field near 5m lines. Attackers playing close to the game line. HOW?Lead from Outside backs. Line up outside shoulder of attackers. Run Up and In. Fast Line speed. Stay connected to inside man. Resposible for the space inside you. Aim for Man&amp;Ball hits or interceptions.

General

Defensive Systems: Drift vs Bl...

General

Defense, drift and blitz Schoo...

Excellent drill to put defenders in game situations and having to make decisions. Defenders go from defending one side into the other. One side they looked a blitz because they have even number and tight space. On the other wide side, defence will have to go up and drift because the attackers have more numbers and space. 1 scrum-half, 4/5 defenders. One side with 4/5 attackers in 15 m width. The other side with 6/7 attackers in a 40 m area. Important that defenders talk what they are doing as the unit even when tired. Line speed is vital in both Blitz and drift. Must get guarding the position early.

General

Defending in Threes Match Rela...

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.

General

Slaps and Taps Warm Up - Rugby...

Partners Work in 1 min setsThis game is to increace heart rate, reaction times and footwork. The aim of the game is to tap/slap either the soulder, knee, or foot of your partner. Shoulder - 2 points Knee - 3 pointsFoot - 5 pointsGood for contact warm up - essential to stay light on feet, and foot in close (2 skills you work on in tackling)

General

Defensive Touch Warm Up - Rugb...

2 Teams.Half Pitch.Touch Game with conditions; Attacker once touched must go down, bounce back up and drive into defender, then perform a long place. While all defenders retreat 3m and hit the floor and bounce back up again before continuing play.

General

Any Direction Touch. Warm Up -...

2 teams.BallThis game you can pass and run with the ball in any direction. The coach will pick a direction for the team to play, the other team will try stop them from scoring. When the attacker gets touched its a turn over.Progressions; Add kicking.Attacking team have to make a certain amount of passes before scoring.

General

Tackle, Bounce, Compete Ruck -...

Sausage ConesAfter you have completed the bounce motion, you can bounce and fire. Fire - is by any means effect there breakdown and slow the ball down - when you realise you cant steal the ball. Jackal - stay on and win the ball over the break down. Players line up on the cones the first play makes a tackle on the sausage get s up and becomes the defender. (jackal)the second player listens to the coloured cone the coach shouts and goes around that cone before trying to clear the (jackaler) The jackaler makes the decion to Jackle or Fire through the break down depending on the speed of the arriving defender.

General

Rugby: warm up - wrestle - Spo...

players start ontop of eachother.the guy ontop is trying to stop the boy on the bottom gettign up wrestle and by no means let the player on the floor up.

General

Lifting Pods Match Related - R...

The aim of the exercise is to develop unit work, communication and good Technique for receiving Kick offs.

General

Double Tackle Technique Tackli...

Groups of 6.Tackle Suits. Ball 1. 1 v 2 - Shoulders on1 attacker must run in the middle of 2 defenders, in a small grid. the first defender performs a chop tackle.the second defder makes a chest hit, aiming to stop the offload. 2. 1 vs 3 - ball involved - full contact. In groups of 6, have 3 attackers 3 defenders. Attackers pass a ball along the line back and forth until whistle goes. Defenders in tackle suits, line up opposite the attackers, when whitle goes the attacker with the ball runs at the defence aiming at the gaps inbetween the defenders. the defenders come up as a line. The first defender (usually inside) makes a low chop tackle, while the other second defender aims for man and ball.

General

Rugby: Dynamic Stretching - Pa...

Seated on floor, feet touching, knees bent, join hands and pull one another forwards and backwards to loosen up lower back. Same position hands joined, rotate upper body from left to right in an upright seated position to stretch lower back and warm up obliques. Standing, facing one another each both players place 1 hand on the other players' shoulder, swinging legs in a pendulum motion to stretch the hamstrings (<em>see video below</em>). Same position but now swing leg diagonally across to stretch groin and glutes (<em>see video below</em>). Both players do 10 push ups taking at least 5 seconds to complete 1 push up, to warm up and stretch chest and back. Swing the arms in a circular motion to loosen up shoulders and warm up the arms. Pick up one another in a tackling technique and take 2 steps with player on your shoulder, then put down softly and slowly. Make sure to pick up with both legs and shoulders (same leg same shoulder) One player leans forward, the other places his hand on his shoulders, and resists while the player leaning works his way forward using leg power. Back to back, one player resists with the legs and the other pushes, resist 60% so that the player can keep moving forward. 1 vs 1 scrummaging with a max effort of about 50%

General

STATIC 3 Backs Moves - Rugby D...

See the diagram for suggested starting positions. 10, 12, 13, will be starting very flat with minimal movement. 11 will provide a decoy or cancel option. 15 will hit in and up on 13's outside shoulder. 14 will provide support to 15, cutting in and then up. 10 passes to 12. 12 passes to 13. 15 takes an outside pop at speed.

General

STATIC 1 Backs Moves - Rugby D...

See the diagram for suggested starting positions. 10 and 12 remain static, the other players are in motion, offering options. 10 and 12 invite the defence to press up at speed. 10 passes to 12. 11 cuts in on 12's shoulder. 12 passes to 11. 15 and 13 provide alternative options.

General

Drop Out Touch Warm Up - Rugby...

Two teamsAttacking and defensive focusNormal game of touch rugby, however whenever the defender touches an attacker, they must run back to their own try line and stay out the game until the play breaks downAttacking team look to identify the space created from defensive drop outWorking on defensive communication and work rate

General

Rugby: 4 vs 3 team shapes/back...

Drill to practice team shapes or backs moves against a defence with less numbers than the attack.Set up a &quot;ruck&quot; with a scrum half/feeder, 3 defenders on the back foot of the &quot;ruck&quot; and 4 attackers opposite them. The attackers attack the defence, then turn round and attack back the way they have just come. Progressions: Change the set up of the attack, for example a blindside winger or full back in behindChange the number of attack/defenceChange the defensive system (e.g. hammer, blitz, ice, up and out, umbrella)

General

Rugby: Defensive Systems - Str...

1. Defensive Organisation 4 Defenders line up on the the cones. When coach goes to pass the ball, when hands are on the defenders get line speed, making lots of noise and staying connected. After each rep the players move along the cones back trackign until the reach the end, this is continuous. 2. 3 v 2 In a 5mx5m grid, 3 attackers attack 2 defenders.Same focus on the defence on when to drift or make the takle on attackers.Lots of communcitaion and line speed is key. 3. Kick out touch- Reduced Defence. A defending player kicks the ball from the back of the pithc to attacking team. Attacking team has more players than defensive system to induce a counter attack situation. Players will learn to fill space with fewer numbers aswell as being a good attacking practice identifying space and overlaps.

General

Defense vs attack drill School...

The aim is to the defensive situation to keep changing the defence gets used to drifting or pressing. The aim of the attack is to realign using the full width, get the ball out of the breakdown quickly (no matter what position you play), seeing space, communicating options and reading the defence. Can be done with any number of players but best suited to around 7. You will need 7 cones, 1 ball, a 40 m area, attack of line and try line. Players passed the ball quickly down the line. When the ball gets halfway, the coach shouts out a number. Number reflects the number of defenders. The end player puts down the ball by pad, then the 2 defenders get onside (beyond defensive line) and defend against the other attackers. The defenders need to work together. Stay tight and use the sideline extra defender. Drifting from the inside and pushing up and out. Attack looks to use, player pace and beat the drift. Important defence talks and understand what they are doing in the changing circumstances. With 4 attackers and 3 defenders, defenders might look for a blitz defence or up then drift. Scrum-half can break so defence must defend at guard. Attack should be looking up and reading the situation. If we have an overlap then as a unit we must understand how to fix defenders. You must start to add a kicking option to advance the drill. 8 players, you can have a forward runner offering a shadow line of 10. He is involved in the passing down the line but is on a separate cone in the front of the 7. This fits in with the patterns and philosophy of attack. You might get the forward to press ups or other exercise to replicate fatigue.

General

5 Attacks 3 Sevens - Rugby Dri...

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.

General

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blitz SESSIONS
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Coaching the Blitz Defence

Develop the aggressive Blitz defending style in you game and don’t let the opposition get comfortable on the ball with this session.

Coaching the Drift Defence

Get your players thinking their way through this session, focussing on Drift Defence when the opposition have an overlap on the outside.
blitz ANSWERS
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Flanker protecting the Scrum Half?How can a Flanker?

Flanker protecting the Scrum Half? How can a Flanker protect the Scrum-Half at a scrum without holding on to the oppositions Scrum Half? Also any advice for an Openside flanker on tackling the fly-half from scrums?

Archived User Coach

What is the best way to coach a blitz defence from?

What is the best way to coach a blitz defence from scratch?

Archived User Coach

Is a blitz defence used from first phase or second phase?

Ask a question and have it answered by Coaches from around the world and IRB Educators.

Robert Morgan Coach, Wales

Scoring tries - habit?

Why is it important to get players to score the try when completing a handling/running drill?

Archived User Coach

How would you help a 17yr old scrum half understand about not taking all the good ball on himself,this has just started creeping into his game

 a

Archived User Coach

Any drills / moves to counteract a blitz defence, this?

Any drills / back moves to counteract a blitz defence, this is for youth level. Mark

Archived User Coach

Defence System Blitz/Drift

Hi,I am just looking to see if I am right in saying the below:If we are the defending team, and have more players then the attackers then we should use the blitz attack and vice-versa for the drift? Asked using Sportplan Mobile App

Archived User Coach

U10s organisation in defence. ...

I have started an under 10s team up, and I would say about 8 from the 13 children I have , did not play rugby until about 6 months ago. Of these players, there seems to be a lot of potential, as we are scoring tries against teams, that very rarely concede tries.the problem I got with them, is that we are very poor at organising our selves in defense when the opposition has the ball, which does result in us conceding quite a few tries. We have some very good tacklers in the team. Can anyone offer some ideas on how I can get them to organise themselves? Thanks . Chris.

christopher jenkins Coach, Wales

switch pass in rugby union - S...

switch pass in rugby union

maria Coach, England

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