The most used lineout defence is the contest, but what is the contest?

Quite simply it is attempting to catch the opposition throw, but is it as simple as this?

Front contest – this is used by the majority of sides this is when your front jumper at 2 attempts to anticipate the throw and take the ball. To do this they must look at the following.

Anticipate the throw – all hookers and jumpers have cues, most or subconscious get to know your opposition’s cues and this will help with anticipation.

Timing – like any lineout jump, the timing between jumper and lifters is crucial, without it the jump will not work.

Aggressive Jump – the jump must be aggressive ideally you should get in front of your opponent and get higher than they do, this will give more success.

In the majority lineout’s you will not take the opposition ball, but a god contest will put pressure on the opponents and disrupt their plans.

Middle/Back Contest most senior sides will use a middle contest, the key points are the same as the front contest and the purpose is the same.

The fashion now is to contest at front and middle to put pressure on the opposition throw, this can give dividends by making your opponents throw off the top; but it can also leave you exposed.

If the opponents take good ball you have little defence against the formation of a maul. In addition there will be a weak spot between your lifting units that can be exposed by opposition.

An alternative is to combine the front contest with a split (covered next time) or a sack.

What can be said without debate is that your lineout defence strategy should be thought out and practiced, not only should it be what is best for you, but more importantly which would be the best for countering the opposition strengths.

Donny

In the modern game; since supported jumping (lifting) and retaining possession from kicking a penalty out; the lineout has become the preferred attacking set piece. There are usually more lineouts than scrums in a game.

I believe that a varied lineout defence is crucial to any side; but each side must know what they are trying o do with their defensive system.

Some sides will try to get their opponents to throw all ball off the top, this would be done for several reasons, the opposition have a powerful pack, your side has players sin binned or red carded from the pack, you believe you have the defensive organisation to deal with the opposition backs attack.

Other sides will try to keep the ball in the forwards, this can be done for several reasons, you believe your pack is more powerful than theirs and them having the ball is not an immediate danger, the opposition backs are causing your backs problems so you want to slow down opposition possession, your side has players sin binned or red carded from the backs.

Other sides will simply contest to put pressure on opposition throw and catch; the ultimate aim is to steal the opposition throw and turnover possession.

Over the next few weeks I will detail a different defence strategy, highlighting the positives and negatives of using this strategy.

Donny

Defence Game

There are many ways to practice defence in rugby; but as a junior coach you have limited time and usually a large number of players and small number of coaches.

I will describe a controlled game lay out which you can then condition to practice different defence styles. This drill will allow your attack to work out which defence system they are playing against and practice strategies to beat that system. It will also allow your side to live practice different defence systems and work out which one best suits which situation.

Equipment Required

Different coloured marker cones, bibs, balls & whistle. Gum shields for players.

Set Up

Place 5m x 5m squares using coloured marker cones around the pitch, I usually put 9 squares out, 3 around 10 metres out across the pitch, another 3 25 metres out from the line and another 3 around the half way line.

Split your players into 2 teams making as even as possible, give one side a set of bibs.

The game starts with the ball being thrown to a coloured square with you indicating which team is attacking. A contact point is simulated with a tackled player matched by a tackler then your defence postings as you would have in a match. You then indicate the game can start, play carries on until a mistake is made. You restart the game by throwing the ball to another coloured square.

Key Factors

Defence structure

Defence System

Offence Structure

Offence System

Communication

You can condition the game, so the defence or the offence has one more player then the opposition to simulate being a man down.

You can control the defence to operate drift, blitz, umbrella or man out

The game can be reversed so the team in possession is working away from their own line, so the defensive side can practice how to pin in a side to limit any kick clearance.

As you can see this game has a basic set up, but many different variations. It involves large numbers of players and like most of my drills is game orientated; this helps in coaching especially with junior players.

 Donny

With 71 minutes on the clock in the Cake Tin in Wellington, Scotland 3 metres from the Puma’s line ref Wayne Barnes puts his arm out to signal penalty advantage to the Scots.

At that moment the decision making by Mike Blair and Dan Parkes cost a home nation (probably Scotland) a knock out place in the world cup.

Scotland were in possession and going forward had they not have scored the try then Wayne Barnes would have brought them back for the penalty. If the Scots’ half backs had have been positive then one of two things would have happened.

1. Scotland would have scored a try taking them either 8 points or 10 points clear after the conversion there would have been only 6 or 7 minutes left to play meaning Scotland would probably have won.

1. Scotland would have gone through phases and not scored, Wayne Barnes would have brought Scotland back for the easy penalty. The Scots would have had more time to compose themselves for the next kick off & may well have not conceded the try.

This is a common fault in rugby, any young half backs out there if 5 metres out close to the posts be positive, if you don’t score a try you will still get the chance of three points.

Sure Scotland can try to blame Wayne Barnes, he should have give penalty against Contepomi in the last play & his management of the contact area was debatable.

But as coaches and players we are not able to control the referee but we can control our own decision making. If you ask Blair or Parkes now they will say they got it wrong.

Now barring a Georgian miracle either Scotland or England are going home. Scotland need to win the clash with England; scoring 4 tries in the process and stopping England getting the losing bonus point.

All eyes now on Eden Park Auckland will it be Argentina, England or Scotland on the plane home. Anything is possible but it looks like the Scots exiting at the group stages for the first time.

I for one hope not, for the sake of home nations rugby I will be hoping for a Georgian win next Sunday in Palmerston North.

Donny

Quick ball or the creation of quick ball is one of the most important areas that wins rugby matches.

One of the problem in practicing quick ball drills is that many players, especially young players get carried away with the contact and don’t grasp the concept of creating quick ball.

I am a firm believer that game related skills sessions are a better way to learn.

I will outline a simple drill that will promote creating quick ball, passing, support and also defence.

Like many of the games I like this can start with young children and evolve as your players get older. It can also be used as adults and in addition to the skills practiced it also increases aerobic fitness.

Ruck Touch

Equipment required, market cones, bibs & balls.

Simple use the pitch with existing marker lines; that is make touchlines 15 metre line, 5 metre line and touchline. A tip from me is to mark these lines in different colour cones. Example blue on 15 metre, red on 5 metre and white on touchline; you can now narrow or widen your pitch with a simple instruction.

Split your teams so they are evenly balanced.

The game is played as touch rugby, but when touched the ball carrier goes to ground and places the ball back, the player who makes the touch goes down on one knee either at feet or head of the player he has touched, the next attacker and defender must both win the space over the ball, whoever gets there 1^st wins the ball, it is a touch game.

If any team does not commit the players to the ruck area the opposition have 3 seconds in which they can not be touched.

The idea is to promote support runners, for players to follow their pass and for the closest player to the ball carrier to be support player.

Progression

Attacking team have a 3^rd player coming directly behind the player securing the ball pushing him forward making a long thin ruck with narrow gate.

Defending team must have left & right guards. If the defending team do not have guards in place then attack can go early

Key Factors

Follow pass

Support Ball Carrier

Win the gap at the contact area

Utilise quick ball

This game will help practice both attacking and defensive skills and emphasises the importance of winning the gap at the tackle or ruck area.

This game can easily be modified for a contact version to practice in more realistic conditions.

Donny

Diamond Running

Diamond Running is the term used for a support system of running where a ball carrier is supported by a player slightly behind to his right, slightly behind to his left and a player sitting deeper directly behind him. This looks like a diamond.

While in this system the ball carrier has many options, he can pass right or left, near or far. He can run knowing he has support close by and if contact is taking there are enough players close by to ruck or maul successfully.

The major benefit from utilising diamond running is the ability to promote continuity in the game; that is keeping the ball alive and fluent in play.

Diamond Running Drill

Equipment

Balls, cones, bibs & players

Set Up

With marker cones set up a channel 10 to metres wide by 24 metres long

Put 4 defenders with bibs on in the channel, 1 behind each other around 6 metres apart

Attackers start at one in end; in groups of 4 with a ball for each group.

Drill

The ball carrier attacks the first defender and looks to beat defender with offload or committing him.

Support players ensure that ball carrier always ahs options left and right.

His carries on through all four defenders so the group has turns at each position and has to practice re-aligning.

This can be repeated a few times, make sure you regularly switch defenders.

The drill should start as a touch drill until the players have gained success then it can be progressed through different stages of contact.

The major issue you will find is players following the ball, at times all 3 support players will be to the right of the ball carrier, be patient, with practice the principal of diamond running will come to your players. What the drill is trying to do is to get your players to look up, read the game and anticipate where the ball or space may be and in addition value the importance of running off the ball.

Coaching Points

Move defender, create space

Sympathy & good technique in the pass

Support Options left & right at all times

Running off the ball

 Donny

Decision making is probably the area that most rugby players need to work on. In particular how to create space, make a miss-match or simple exploit a 2 on 1.

In addition many of our players come back unfit after the summer and dread the thought of the pre-season fitness programme.

I think many of us have experienced endless static 2 on 1, 3 on 1 and 4 on 1 drill; but is that really the best way to learn?

I am a firm believer that game related skills sessions are a better way to learn.

I will outline a simple drill that will promote decision making, passing, support, fitness & also defence.

Aerobic Touch

Equipment required, market cones, bibs & balls.

Simple mark your pitch with lines across the pitch, you can use pre existing lines or colour code the lines. My suggestion would be try lines, half way line and a line halfway between try line and halfway. If you can mark try lines in white, half way line in blue and the other two in red (or any 3 different colours). Coloured cones are a preference of mine when doing new drills or games it helps the players understand what you want them to do. I would suggest using a pitch 50 metres long by 40 metres wide

You then play the game with even sides, the game can be condition to have as many touches before handover as you want, this can be unlimited to start.

Once a player makes a touch he must run back to the next line before he can take part in game. This has the following affects.

1. Make him run further
2. Creates a gap for the attack to exploit, therefore making attack make decisions.
3. Creates gap for defence to defend, they must work harder to cover the gap left.

As the game progresses more gaps appear, the defence line becomes fragmented with the active defenders having to work hard and those who have made the touch working hard to get into the game.

Once a score is made the attack switches to the other side; both sides will quickly tire aerobically putting more pressure on their offensive & defensive decision making.

Variations to Game

1. When a team scores the whole team must touch a pre-defined line (e.g. their try line or half way line before they are active in the game) This makes the scorer think before he scores, does he have time to delay scoring to allow team mates to become active. It also will promote the new defenders to come up in a flat line to defend.
2. Forwards run to closest or furthest touchline; backs run to the next line across the pitch. This will mean that defenders are re-joining the game from the side as well as in front, making this game more match like and promoting decision making.
3. Reduce lines to only half way & try lines, simply makes those not active work more to get back in game and other defenders work harder to compensate for those not active.

As you can see during this game players will have to work very hard to participate in it. This game will stretch their aerobic fitness base in a match related situation. In addition to this it works on the core skills of the game and will make players make decisions under pressure. Most importantly from experience players have found this game fun and will play it without realising they are working on their aerobic endurance, so ideal for those players who are reluctant to fitness activities.

Donny

Equipment Required

Tackle Suits

Rucking Sledge or Tackle Bags (large tubes)

Balls

Whistle

Set Up

Working in groups of 3s

Player 1 wears tackle suit and holds ball.

Each sledge or tackle tube (use tackle tube if you don’t have a sledge) is placed 10 metres in front of player 1 but each of these are 10 metres away from each other.

Player 2 crouches in front of sledge or tackle tube (tube should be length ways)

Player 3 crouches in front of the other sledge or tackle tube(tube should be length ways)

On first whistle player 2 & player 3 drive the sledge or tackle tube.                             

After 5 seconds the 2^nd whistle is blown, player 2 & player 3 then tackle player 1 who is holding the ball.

One of the players should tackle high trapping the ball, the other players should drive player 1 backwards preventing him going to floor or playing the ball.

Key Points

Players to adopt a low strong body position, with straight back and spine in line to drive.

Encourage quick reaction from driving position and into live game

Trapping ball preventing ball carrier playing ball.

Drive ball carrier up and back; but keep him on his feet preventing the ball going to floor and being played.

 Donny

Equipment Required

Tackle Suits

Rucking Shields

Balls

Set Up

Working in groups of 3s

Player 1 wears tackle suit crouches or kneels next to tackle bag/rucking shield.

Player 2 stands opposite player one with ball stands on opposite side of tackle bag/rucking shield to player 1.

Player 3 stands at facing tackle bag, right angles to player 1 & player 3.

Player 2 places the ball in front of tackle bag/rucking shield.

Player 1 tackles tackle bag/rucking shield and immediately gets to his feet to contest the ball.

Player 3 clears player 1 from the tackle area

Key Points

Encourage full tackle with use of strong arms and a quick return to feet.

Suited player should adopt a low strong position over ball with weight on feet.

Encourage maximum knee bend to secure lowest best body position –

Clear out player should adopt low body angle on approach, hence knees bent, shuffle footwork, eyes on target, head up –

Target lower sternum of suited player –

Big impact and drive player up and off the ball with strong leg drive with short steps.

 Donny

Having watched several matches over this weekend I have been surprised about the in ability to execute a simple 2 on 1.

On looking at the clips a second time I think I have worked out where the problem is coming from.

It appears to me that support players are not holding their depth. They are making good runs and are running good lines, but the pass is not being made.

When coaching 2 on 1, 3 on 2, 4 on 3, etc. Please bear in mind the following key factors.

Ball Carrier

When possible carry the ball in two hands, this will enable more off load options.

Be aware of where your support players are, be aware before you receive the ball.

Listen for support & look for support

Support Player

Run from deep, hold your depth, this will mean you come on to the ball at speed, accelerating as you receive the pass.

Quality communication – shouting yes or the ball carriers name is not enough. John – Right – Long – Flat or John – Left – Short – Flat; both of these are concise but detailed enough to assist ball carrier in making his pass. Remember to communicate this call early, not when you want the ball, the sooner the ball carrier knows where his support is the better decision he will make.

These may seem very simple steps, but the earlier you work these into your coaching the more likelihood this will stay with your players throughout their rugby careers.

Donny