Organising and Creating Linebreaks Task 12 Level 3 Major Written Assignment Russell Ingram 9/9/2010 This paper is the final task in the ARU Level 3 Coaching Course for 2010.
Introduction 2010 saw some of the best attacking rugby in Super 14 (S14) for a number of years. With the end of the Experiment Law variations (ELV s), and the reversion back to long-arm penalties, many believed that the game would again become boring, centred around set piece restarts and forward domination. However the interpretation at the breakdown by the referees, in controlling the tackler to release before clearly playing at the ball, appears to have had a positive effect on the game, with fewer penalties and quicker recycling of the ball. This interpretation has had a major impact in regard to the way the game has been played and has created attacking opportunities for teams to show off their attacking skills. To compete at this new level, each team has had to master and utilise their own abilities and skill sets to maximize their attacking opportunities as a team or backline. Every team is subtlety different in the way they come together to organise and build their attack phases. Coaches must coach to their individual player s strengths and weaknesses, and in doing so create a style that differentiates their team from the others. In this paper, I will analyze four S14 teams and try to assess each team s attacking system, style and play. In theory, I will be looking at how each team has approached the 2010 S14 season and how they have looked at their attack to create linebreaks and hence penetrate defence and score tries. The four Super 14 teams I have examined are: The Brumbies (Australia) No 1 Australian team for highest percentage linebreak in Opposition half The Reds (Australia) No 1 Australian team for total linebreaks No 3 S14 team for total linebreaks The Blues (New Zealand) No 1 S14 team for total linebreaks Player Rudi Wulf had the highest number of linebreaks in the competition The Bulls (South Africa) S14 Champions No 1 S14 team for total tries No 1 S14 team for linebreak conversions These four teams achieved 522 linebreaks during the 2010 S14 season. Using the Verusco Analysis System I have examined these linebreaks and statistics and created 7 Statistical Tables that I have used to analyze and show the subtleties and variation, in each teams attack, and how they differentiate. Through the use of data together with my qualitative analysis, I have examined the way, the teams and coaches have approached attack from the set piece and general play (phase). In particular, I will examine the way teams try to manipulate the opposition and create space and opportunities to attack. Gone are the days when backlines were dependent upon the scrum and lineout to create moves as a weapon to penetrate defence. Although set piece attack is still heavily relied upon, defensive systems at the restarts are so well organised today that these opportunities are limited. I will conclude with the 10 key principles that I believe are necessary for teams to create linebreaks in the current rugby environment. I will also provide coaching points that could be used on the training paddock to help develop these skills. 2
Definitions After using the Verusco Analysis System, and from my observations and objectives, the following definitions of a linebreak are used in this paper: The linebreak - If the imaginary line between two defenders is dissected by the ball carrier, or if the ball carrier dissects the imaginary line between a defender and the line of touch perpendicular to the player, it is classified as a linebreak. Linebreak conversion (LBC) Total number of tries divided by the total number of recorded linebreaks. Linebreak assist (LBA) The player who delivers the final pass to the player making the linebreak. A Zone Attack Zone team attacking the try line/inside the 22metre line. B Zone Build Zone attacking between the opposition 22metre and halfway line. C Zone Control Zone Between the halfway and your team s 22 metre line. D Zone Defence Zone Between the 22 metre line and your defending try line. Linebreak Data Analysis Quantitative data analysis was a critical component of this paper and provided the framework for me to analyse and synthesize my own observations of linebreaks within games. Included in this section are the following 7 tables: Table 1 2009/10 Linebreak comparisons (Selected Teams) Table 2 2010 Leading Players by Linebreaks (Selected Teams) Table 3 Linebreaks by Field Zones (Selected Teams) Table 4 Linebreak by Total Passes (Selected Teams) Table 5 Linebreak Involvements by position and combinations (Selected Teams) Table 6 2010 Linebreak statistics (All Teams) Table 7 2009/10 Linebreak comparisons (All Teams) Table 1 2009/10 Linebreak comparisons (Selected Teams) TEAM 2010 Linebreaks 2010 Tries 2009 Linebreaks 2009 Tries (Rank) (Rank) Blues 175 (1) 47 181 (-6) 47 (E) Reds 139(3) 43 146 (-7) 36 (+7) Brumbies 126(5) 40 107 (+19) 36 (+4) Bulls 82(13) 47 121 (-39) 48 (-1) Totals 522 177 555 167 33.9% LBC 30.1% LBC Key note observations The Blues with the most linebreaks in 2010 The Bulls with a ranking of 13 out of 14 for total team linebreaks 3
A decrease in the total number of linebreaks for 2010 compared to 2009 An increase in the total number of tries compared to 2009 An increase of 3.8% in linebreak conversions ( LBC s) for 2010 Organising and Creating Linebreaks Table 2-2010 Leading Players by Linebreaks (Selected Teams) TEAM Total Linebreaks (Rank) Tries Linebreak Conversion (LBC s)% Leading Linebreak Player 1 Blues 175 (1) 47 27% #14 Rudi Wulf (21) Reds 139(3) 43 31% #9 Will Genia (19) Brumbies 126(5) 40 32% #15 Adam A- Cooper (15) Bulls 82(13) 47 57% #12 Wynand Olivier (14) Leading Linebreak Player 2 #13 Rene Ranger (19) #10 Quade Cooper (19) #14 Pat McCabe (13) #8 Pierre Spies (11) Leading Linebreak Player 3 #11 Joe Rokocoko (19) # 14 Digby Ioane (18) #8 Steven Hoiles (13) #14 Gerhard van den Heaver (10) Key note observations The Bulls with 57% of Linebreak Conversions 25% higher than the other three teams Rudi Wulf with the highest number of linebreaks for any player during the season Of each team s top three linebreakers, 50% are back 3 positions (wingers and fullback) Genia and Cooper dominating at the Reds (the only 9 or 10 in the selected groups) Wingers and Rene Ranger creating the major linebreak opportunities for the Blues Number 8 s Hoiles and Spies are the only forwards with a linebreak presence Table 3 Linebreaks by Field Zones (Selected Teams) Dist from Try line Dist from Touch Left/Right Field Break TEAM 1 Ranking Zone(mtrs) 2 ranking Zone(mtrs) 1 Ranking Zone(mtrs) 2 ranking Zone(mtrs) 1 Ranking Zone(total) 2 ranking Zone Blues 40-50 30-40 Left 0-10 Right 0-10 Left (87) Right (62) Reds 50-60 20-30 Middle Right 20-30 Right (54) Left (57) Brumbies 40-50 30-40 Left 0-10 Right 10-20 Left (60) Right (54) Bulls 30-40 10-20 Left 0-10 Right 0-10 Left (40) Right (32) 4
Key note observations The Bulls dominating linebreaks much closer to the try line The Reds dominating linebreaks in Centre field & in their own half Blues and Bulls prioritise the areas nearest the touchlines to create linebreaks A preference for teams to dominate Left hand side of the field in attack Table 4 Linebreak by Total Passes (Selected Teams) Number of Passes from set-piece, scrum, counter or turnover before linebreak Organising and Creating Linebreaks Passes 0 1 2 3 4+ Blues 15% 25% 29% 22% 9% Reds 18% 38% 35% 8% 1% Brumbies 13% 26% 31% 21% 9% Bulls 12% 23% 35% 20% 10% General Key; 0 (Zero) passes counter attack from kick, turnover or runs from scrum or lineout s. 1 pass Out of ruck, scrum or lineout generally distributed by the 9. 2 pass options off 10 Key note observations The Reds with the highest % of zero, 1 and 2 passes from phase or set pieces 3 passes wider backline plays The Reds with only 9% of linebreaks using 3+ passes, compared to approx 30% by the 3 teams The three other teams have very similar passing statistics in relation to each other Table 5- Linebreak Involvements by position and combinations (Selected Teams) 9 s involvements 10 s involvements 12 s Involvements 9 & 10 s Involvements 9,10 & 12 s Involvements Blues 16% 25% 9% 41% 50% Reds 31% 42% 8% 73% 81% Brumbies 18% 31% 17% 49% 66% Bulls 23% 27% 20% 50% 70% Key note observations The Reds 9 and 10 created a massive 73% of linebreak involvements for them The Bulls #12 had the highest involvements of any #12 of any team sampled 2/3rds of the Brumbies linebreaks occur using their three inside backs Only 50% of the Blues linebreaks involve their 9,10 or 12 5
Table 6 2010 Linebreak statistics (All Teams) Teams by Ladder Position Ladder Rank Linebreaks % in opp 50m Rank Linebreak Conversions % Bulls 47 1 82 1 57 1 Storm 44 2 65.8 8 30.8 7 Waratahs 43 3 60 12 38.8 3 Crusaders 41 4 78 2 30.3 9 Reds 39 5 62 11 30.9 6 Brumbies 37 6 75 3 32 5 Blues 37 7 64.6 10 27 12 Hurricanes 37 8 65.7 9 30.5 8 Sharks 33 9 66.3 7 23.5 14 Cheetahs 26 10 69.7 5 44.7 2 Chiefs 26 11 70 4 33.3 4 Highlanders 19 12 60 12 28.3 10 Force 19 13 68.7 6 24.2 13 Lions 5 14 58.3 14 27.8 11 Rank Table 7 2009/10 Linebreak comparisons (All Teams) Team by Ladder Tries 2009 Linebreaks 2009 Tries 2010 Linebreaks 2010 Position Bulls 48 121 47 82 Storm 28 107 36 117 Waratahs 28 86 45 116 Crusaders 29 161 43 142 Reds 36 146 43 139 Brumbies 36 107 40 126 Blues 47 181 47 175 Hurricanes 50 176 40 131 Sharks 31 124 23 98 Cheetahs 26 114 34 76 Chiefs 47 174 40 120 Highlanders 32 112 34 120 Force 42 126 24 99 Lions 36 103 32 115 Total 516 1838 528 1656 LBC - All teams 28.1% 31.9 % change by year + 13 or + 2.3% inc in tries -182 or 9.9% Key note observations LBC for 2009 = 28.07% LBC for 2010 + 31.88% Percentage increase of 3.8 % for Linebreak Conversions in 2010 for ALL teams 6
Team Analysis - Queensland Reds The Reds pack was not considered threatening, especially in the tight five following the injury to Horwill. The back row and halves, however have considerable punch and flair in their game. Braid, Higginbotham, Houstin and Schatz gave the team real momentum and quick go forward around the rucks. Genia and Cooper created a combination in the halves that no other S14 team could replicate. 73 % of all Reds linebreaks (refer Table 5) had either player making the linebreak or giving the final pass (linebreak assist). The Reds focused on taking the opposition into the middle of the field out of setpiece; this allowed Genia and Cooper to assess when and where to attack. Many line breaks occur in this center zone, completely the opposite to most other teams (refer Table 3). Where most teams attack to the edges out of centre field, Genia and Cooper had the talent to exploit defensive weakness around the ruck fringes, effectively going through teams in the first two phases, and not just around them. The speed of re-cycle ball out of 1 st and 2 nd phase ball is also a major priority in achieving this style of attack. The combination and organization these two players created for themselves as well as the players around them, made it a very difficult problem for teams to defend against. The key ingredient with the Genia and Cooper combination is their ability to read the defence around the ruck area and make the right attacking decision. Genia is instinctive in when to snipe and when to deliver to Cooper. He will often attack the X defender (with two hands on ball) allowing himself 3 options (see Diagram below). 1. Deliver a short ball to an unders-line runner between the X and Y defender. 2. If the Post is lazy or slides on to him, he gave a Gregan Ball back inside, or. 3. He holds the pass up and goes himself (12 times 1 ) if the X defender drifts. Will Genia (WG) Ball/Running option P X Y WG A A QC Quade Cooper (QC) Running/pass options D D D D D WG QC 11 or 15 12 14 15 1 Verusco Analysis System Individual Player Statistics 2010 7
Cooper was also confident to take the ball to the line and either use footwork to break the line himself (19 times), or use a fend (14 times) and off-load technique (41 times) 2, not regularly used by other flyhalves. Queensland used their mobile set of forwards to create quick ball, once they had the opposition back peddling, Genia and Cooper read the defensive weaknesses around the ruck and manipulated the defence by playing direct or often, by playing slightly lateral. This allowed Cooper to utilise the inside space he created, to play the ball back inside to the loose forward runners or more often the fullback or blind-side winger (BSW) i.e. Ioane or Hynes at fullback sitting in a pocket behind Cooper. On a number of occasions Cooper simply received a pass from Genia took the defence lateral, before giving Genia a return inside ball behind the drifting defender. Coopers ability to read the play and either attack back inside or if the defence condensed he went wide, playing a decoy runner option, e.g 12, and then pass to 15 behind, or a cut pass straight to 13, creating the linebreak outside the 4 and 5 defender (see diagrams previous page). The difficulty for Queensland s linebreak conversion rate (LBC) of 31% is simply seen by the fact there number 1 zone for linebreaks was inside their own half (50-60 metres from the Try Line). Simply the closer to the try line you can linebreak, the higher your percentage of conversions (refer table 3). Will Genia and Quade Cooper were involved in 73% of all the Reds Linebreaks in S14 2010 2 Verusco Analysis System Individual Player Statistics 2010 8
Team Analysis - The Bulls Directly in contrast to the Reds, the Bulls primary focus is on field position before a focus on penetration (refer table 3). The Bulls move the ball or recapture the ball in the A Zone and have the players and patience to execute plays and score points. The Bulls are number 13 in terms of total line breaks, but number 1 for LB conversions and LB s in opposition half. The Bulls linebreak conversion statistic is 57%, some 13 % above the nearest team and over 20% higher than any other team. (refer tables 1,2 & 6). The Bulls like to play a more direct game, associated around a big strong pack of forwards, big centres and slick outside backs. They are directed around the paddock with halves that play as distributors not runners of the ball. Fourie de Preez (FdP) is a distributor (3 linebreaks 3 ) more than looking to run the ball, distributing the ball to forward running pods in the same direction (see diagram below) or when required to his 10, Morne Steyn (MS) (2 linebreaks 4 ) and outside runners. Steyn is a master of communication with his forwards and especially de Preez. Once the forwards have rolled around the corner a number of times until a 4v3 scenario presents itself, he calls for the ball once space starts to present itself on the fringes of the field. Almost 35% of their line breaks occur in the 10 metre edge of the field. There key is to put pressure on the defence immediately, on turn over, counter and at the first phase. Once the defence has started to back pedal and compress, Steyn quickly calls for the ball usually using a cut ball to get it as quickly as possible to van den Heever, Hougaard and Kirchner depending on what the defensive structure looks like (see diagram next page). De Preez and Steyn contribute in 48% of all Bulls line breaks. Fourie de Preez (FdP) Ball/Running option P X Y FdP A A 10 3 Verusco Analysis System Individual Player Statistics 2010 4 4 Verusco Analysis System Individual Player Statistics 2010 9
Morne Styne (MS) 4 v 3 Linebreak Passing options D D D D D D FdP MS 11 13 15 14 OR D D D D D D FdP MS 11 13 15 14 Pierre Spies exploitation of the ruck area and scrum base, created 11 linebreaks (refer table 2) for the Bulls. His athleticism, speed, strength and decision making, makes him one of the best number 8 s in the world. Olivier and Spies continually created opportunities and linebreaks for the Bulls during S14 2010 10
Use of Wynand Olivier(WO) Wynand Olivier (WO) with 14 linebreaks (refer table 2) is a major weapon for the Bulls and is often not given the credit that his 9 and 10 receive. Olivier has the highest Linebreak involvement percentage than any of teams #12, with 20% (refer table 5). Olivier is often used from centre field rucks and from inside their own half to penetrate. He is usually used via an unders- line or using a blocker and drifting under 13 to receive a wider ball (see diagrams below) D D D D D FdP MS 11 WO 13 OR D D D D D FdP MS 11 WO 13 11
Team Analysis - The ACT Brumbies The Brumbies attack centred on their 10, 12 combination rather than the Reds 9, 10 combination to create opportunities and linebreaks. The Brumbies moved the ball to their 10 (due to injury this position varied between three players), Lealifano, Giteau or Toomua. Generally whoever played 10, one of the others played 12. With this structure in place, it really didn t affect who was playing 10, or 12 as they both needed to be ball players and decision makers. Much of the Brumbies good attack was generated out of centre field first phase ruck ball, allowing the 10 or 12 to play either side of the ruck and attack down the 15 metre channels using simple cut balls, blocker or decoy runner plays, allowing Adam Ashley-Cooper with 15 and Pat McCabe with 13 (refer table 2), to dominate the linebreaks on the edge (see diagram below). The Brumbies total linebreaks and LBC s ranked them 5 th in both. They ranked 3 rd in linebreaks % in opposition 50 (A & B Zones) (refer table 1&6). Good figures, with only the Bulls and the Crusaders better. LBC s for the Brumbies would have been much higher but for poor pass execution, decision making, and off-loading under pressure rather than building pressure on the opposition and going to another phase. Centre Field attack example D D Y X P P X Y D D 9 10 12 11 F 15 13 F 14 The Brumbies also use the centre field to set attack play up from the edges of the field by using a Centre field forwards Screen (see to diagram next page). If the attack phase had moved to within the 15 metre channel and the sideline, and they choose not to attack down the blindside (which they rarely did), they would use a number of ball running forwards (setting up in the middle of the field) outside of the 10 or 12. This allowed them to dominate back into the middle of the field by using one of the forwards in the screen or else use the forward screen as a decoy play and hold the ball up to feed the blindside winger and fullback on an arc behind them to create a wider linebreak. 12
Centre Field Screen D D D D D D 9 MT MG F F 13 11 15 14 Similar to the Bulls with Pierre Spies, the other channel the Brumbies like to attack down is next to the ruck and often with #8 Stephen Hoiles (SH) (13 linebreaks) (refer table 2), he uses his speed and step for a big man to pick and go, or to work out from behind the ruck in a shadow position and work off the number 9 s. Similarly, Ben Alexander (BA) with 7 linebreaks and 7 tries 5 ; for a prop he has remarkable agility, speed, and awareness of space to break the line close to the ruck, usually against the general continuity (e.g same way) phase flow (see diagram below). Valentine/Hoiles combination P X Y 9 SH SH or BA Another interesting point to look at is the similarities between the Brumbies and the Bulls, in relation to their linebreak involvements by position and total passes (refer table 4&5). While the Blues don t have as strong a focus on their 9, 10 and 12 making or creating the linebreak all the time, the Brumbies and Bulls are more reliant on these players creating the opportunities for the other players. The Reds on the other hand are so dependent on Genia and Cooper (9 and 10), that the team may seem to be too reliant on them getting the team past the gain line and creating linebreaks. The good defensive teams soon realised, that by shutting Genia and Cooper down defensively, it would basically shut the whole Reds attack down. 5 5 Verusco Analysis System Individual Player Statistics 2010 13
Team Analysis - The Auckland Blues The Blues created more line breaks than any other team in the competition (Tables 1,2,7). However, similar to the Reds, these linebreaks came too far from the try line. Ranking themselves 6 th in LB conversions (only 31%) and 10th in percentages for linebreaks in the oppositions half (refer tables 3 & 6). The remarkable attribute to the Blues is their brilliant catch pass skills right across the team. The Blues had no fewer than 9 players with double figure linebreak numbers. From their number 8 Maafu and right across the backline (all 8 of the prominently used backs). This can only be calibrated in three ways. Firstly, the high skill level of their catch/pass execution. Secondly, their instinctive and intuitive awareness of space. Thirdly, their awareness to keep re-organising themselves into position, enabling them to reload and attack. The contribution and organisation of Alby Mathewson (AM) and Stephen Brett (SB) should also not be under estimated. Simply, this backline can all ball run and ball distribute. It doesn t matter who has the ball, the players around them can adapt to a running line to create options and run to space. Table 5 shows the Blues with the lowest percentage of 9, 10, and 12 involvements at 50%, compared to any of the other three teams, indicating a dependency not centred on these players alone. The ball carrier is skillful enough to execute his passing options at the correct time to the correct running option. This is not just instinctive, but many hours of hard work on the training paddock needs to occur, to perform and execute at this level. They are also very well organised as a team and have definite patterns of forwards play so as to attack to their backline strengths and create tries and linebreaks. Blues A Zone attack D D D D Y X P P D D AM 12 SB F F 14 11 13 15 The Blues favourite attacking structure close to the try-line can be seen from the above diagram. Once the forwards have brought the play to centre field, or just right of centre field, the backs condense down the left hand side. Depending on the defensive formation, the Blues inside backs will take the ball forward to attract defenders and then use aggressive runners and simple decoys to put the free winger down the left-hand touchline to score. The one consistent to all these plays is their focus on retaining or creating space for the winger to have a free run to the try line. (refer tables 2&3). 14
The reason the Blues have so many linebreaks (175) (refer table 1) is that they are comfortable to attack from anywhere on the field. If the opportunity presents itself and is identified, they will quickly call, react and attack (see Diagram below). Simply, if the defending team has space outside their last frontline defender (D) (i.e. defending wingers and fullbacks back deep for the kick option), they will move the ball straight to the space outside the last forward defender(d). This is done by 12 cut-passing to Paul Williams (PW) or by Isaia Toeava (IT) taking the ball forward and commit the (D) defender, he then reacts to the extra man (PW), before sending a ball to him either on an overs-line, thus committing the last defender to him, before giving Rudi Wulf(RW) or Joe Rokocoko (JR) a clear passage down the touchline or for (PW) to run a hard unders-line at the last second and come into the inside space left behind (D). D-Zone Attack D D D D D D (D) AM SB JR 12 IT PW RW Rudi Wulf from the Auckland Blues was #1 in S14 for total linebreaks (21) in 2010 15
The 10 Key Principles in creating linebreaks In Rugby the success of an attacking team is marked against attack principals that generate bending (getting past the advantage line) or better still penetrating the defensive line, either between players or between a player and the touchline. To help execute the linebreak, I have identified 10 key principles. They are the ability to: 1. gain possession of the ball 2. create simple phase structures, to manipulate defences 3. control and use the centre field effectively 4. create forward momentum between phases 5. execute accurately at the breakdown, to recycle quick ball 6. quickly read the defensive formation and make a calculated decision 7. communicate space 8. move the ball quickly and in front of players at speed 9. align and execute the appropriate plays/running-lines into the defensive spaces at speed 10. counter attack into space It is not necessary to have all 10 components working for you at the one time, however a team s awareness of these principals in general play will definitely enhance a team s percentage of converting opportunities. 1. Gain possession of the ball. The first principal of rugby is the most important, when it comes to controlling the game and scoring points. Regaining and maintaining possession is always the starting point to attacking opportunities. #1 Coaching Points: Scrum, lineout and restarts must be priority coaching points followed by jackal techniques, breakdown techniques and dominate tackle turnover coaching. 2. To create simple phase structures, to manipulate defences. Simple phase structures that everyone understands are important so a team can manipulate the opposition s defences. Once the ball is in possession, a team must maintain the ball and move it forward into different areas of the field. By doing this the attack can manipulate the defence and hopefully create space or player miss-matches. By building 1 to 3 phases generally will be enough to create those opportunities. A simple attack pattern or structure, executed well, will definitely help build pressure on the defensive team. #2 Coaching Points: Coaches should establish game phase structures e.g continuous, 2:1, 3:1 etc where players are confident in their knowledge of where they should be over the first 2or 3 phases starting from set-piece. 16
3. Control and use the centre field effectively. Throughout all my reviews of games during S14 this year, the common area that teams try to dominate go forward phase play (especially out of set piece restarts) is centre field domination, (similar to a game of chess). Teams will also use the centre field to buy time or regroup to reignite previous unsuccessful go forward phases. This action makes the defence chase laterally to the ruck or around the ruck so as to defend the next phase. By making the defending team defends two wide sides of the ruck it does allow for defensive mistakes and opens up spaces for attacking teams to assess. #3 Coaching Points: Set piece and centre field starter plays. Game style simulation training, 15 v 15. (i.e. 1 st Grade v 2 nd Grade opposed scenario sessions). 4. Create forward momentum between phases. The attacking team that is moving forward and continually reaching the advantage line while the defending team is continually moving backwards trying to regroup their line is paramount in disorganising the defence and creating weaknesses in the defensive line. A team not making the advantage line in attack will generally opt to kick or be forced into error or turnover. #4 Coaching Points: Continuity drills and opposed contact phase drills. 5. Execute accurately at the breakdown, to recycle quick ball. Good defensive backrowers and teams have an ability to slow ball down out of phase play. To counter this, teams must be technically proficient at the tackle/ruck breakdown. The more accurate and dominate attacking teams are at this facet of the game; the better the chances are of receiving quicker ball to the next attacking phase, and hence less time for the defensive team to get organised. #5 Coaching Points: Ball into contact, ball presentation drills, breakdown decision making and support drills. 17
6. Quickly read the defensive formation and make a calculated decision. The good decision makers in the team should be the players that touch the ball the most, generally the 9, 10 and even the 12 s today will be in those key positions. These players must have the ability to read the defensive lines and act upon them with quick decision making. They must have an action, and a reaction or consequence to act upon the defensive environment in front of them. #6 Coaching Points: Create defensive scenarios for attacks to work at. i.e. 3 v 3 and 4 v 3 environments, with the 3 defenders placed on varying colored cone scenarios. 7. Communicate space. Inside attackers (9 and 10 s) are often focused on the defensive walls in front of them. Space that appears on the edges is not always visible to these play makers. It requires good communication skills from the outside player (11, 13, 14 and 15) to transfer this information to them. #7 Coaching Points: Set up with two backlines opposed to one another. Have the attacking team turn their backs to the opposition. Again place different coloured cones for the defending team to stand on. Count from 5 down to 1. On 5 the 15 turns and starts communicating the scene and play option, 4 the wings turn and assess, 3 the 13 and 2 the 12. On 1 the 10 can turn and receive the ball without looking at what is in front of him. He is just reacting to the call from the outside players. 8. Move the ball quickly and in front of players at speed. The execution of the simple catch and pass is essential in relation to time and space. The movement of the ball through hands can equate to many metres on the ground. The higher the level of accuracy and speed of ball movement allows the attacking team greater opportunity to move the ball into space and less time for the defending team to move forward and shut down the attack. #8 Coaching Points: Simple catch/pass skills building to passing under pressure drills is paramount in executing accurate ball movement in a game. 18
9. Align and execute the appropriate plays/running-lines into the defensive spaces i.e. (move the ball and players). All players should understand the basic concept of draw and pass, under s and over s running lines and sliders and blocker plays. These simple plays can form the basis for any attack. They can also be the difference in manipulating, holding and sliding defences, so the attack can penetrate defences and create linebreaks. The other component is not only identifying space, but the ability for teams to retain the space offered to them (by the opposition) when executing attack. #9 Coaching Points: Re-alignment drills, 2v2 drills, starter plays and 4v3 drills. 10. Counter attack into space. Creating opportunities from turnover ball and counter attack kicks is a major part of a team s attacking arsenal in modern rugby. The ability of players to react to unstructured defensive lines can create many opportunities for advantageous play. By simply moving the ball 1 or 2 passes and assessing the environment on the run, and then attacking the space, has been a major weapon in many good teams attacking game plans. #10 Coaching Points: Counter attack drills as backlines and as a whole team. 7v6 backline counter attack scenarios from set piece and phase restarts. Free kick & turnover drills. 19