Archive for the ‘Technical’ Category
Friday, November 11th, 2011
Union Handball
Aim:
Develop Grip, Carry, Passing & Catching, along decision making skills and spacial awareness.
Set Up & Rules:
Game is played 4 v 4 with each team allowed a goalkeeper.
Teams score by passing the ball into the goal.
No players other than the goalkeeper allowed in the ‘goal area’.
Players may run with the ball and pass in any direction.
Defenders look to force an error or intercept a pass.
After a score the non-scoring team start with a pass from the goalkeeper.
All errors (knock-on’s, etc) result in a turnover.
Coaching:
Hold the ball in two hands with thumbs spread greater than a right angle in the centre of the ball with arched palms and elbows out.
Hold the ball out in front of and central with their body when running with the ball.
Communication between players – finding space.
Tags: core skills development, haydn walker rugby blog, rugby core skills, skill development games, skills development rugby
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Wednesday, November 9th, 2011
Waves (6 v 3+3)
Aim:
To develop grip, carry, pass (north/south) and catch skills with support play and decision making
Set Up & Rules:
Players are divided into 1 team of 6 ‘attackers’ and 2 ‘teams’ of 3 defenders.
The defenders are positioned at each end of the channel, with the attackers in the central area (defenders are not allowed in central area). 3 balls are placed on the ground on each side of the central area. The coach passes a ball to the attackers from the side line to start the game: the 6 attackers attempt to score over one end of the channel. Defenders may move to challenge once the attackers have left the central area. When a try is scored, or the attack breaks down/is stopped or the ball carrier is touched 2-handed (a ‘tackle’), the attackers turn, collect another ball from the central area and attack the opposite end of the channel. The ‘game’ continues in this manner until all six balls have been used; attackers and defenders then rotate and the game continues. The coach may stop any attack for incorrect grip carry, (one or two handed), pass or a catch that hits a receiver’s shirt; all result in a turnover of possession.
Coaching:
Communicate with team mates; support ball carrier with good shape lead into space to receive pass(north/south); hands up to receive; catch ball away from body; good grip, centre body carries, pass in front of receiver; run at pace; head-up to scan/read movement of defenders; vary running lines to penetrate gaps/overlaps in defensive alignment; re-align quickly to attack in opposite direction.
Tags: basic skills, developing rugby skills, haydn walker rugby blog, rugby core skills, skill development games, teaching games for understanding rugby
Posted in A, Adult- Community, Age, Category, Coaches, Colts- U18-19, Handling, Midi- U11-U12, Parent, Player, Role, Ruckipedia, Technical, Technical, rugby development | View Comments
Sunday, November 6th, 2011
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
Tags: donnys blog, lineout defence, Rugby lineout technical
Posted in A, Adult- Community, Age, Category, Coaches, Colts- U18-19, Defence, Role, Set Piece, Set Pieces, Site Articles, Technical, blogs, rugby development | View Comments
Tuesday, October 25th, 2011
The 3rd and final player to arrive at the ruck is called the “Firewall”. The role of the Firewall is twofold. Firstly, to ensure the ball is inside the hindmost foot of the ruck. The Firewall ensures this is the case by binding onto the Combat and ensuring they are binding over the ball. The Firewall Binds on the Combat from behind the Combat thus increasing the length of the ruck and ensuring the ball remains in the ruck until the scrum-half is ready to pass it away.
Secondly, the Firewall must stabilize the ruck when binding onto to the Combat. The Firewall can achieve this stability by binding onto the Combat in a strong body position that in essence resembles the body position of the Combat. As with the Combat, the Firewall must retain that strong body position throughout the duration of the ruck. If the Firewall gets into a weak body position and the defenders counter-ruck the Combat and Firewall can be driven off the ball. Or at best the looseness of the ruck can cause the ball to pop out from under the Firewall, which means the ball is out of the ruck and the ruck is technically over.
Once the Firewall binds onto the Combat, with the ball under the Firewall’s feet and they both retain a strong body positions, the ruck is now formed. This ensures the ruck is structured in the optimum way using just three players (Cleanout, Combat & Firewall) along with the tackled play who is quiet often still on the ground. This formation, if executed quickly and with good technique, should ensure quick ruck possession.
As a further insurance against the counter-ruck the Cleanout can contribute in a secondary role. Once the Cleanout removes the Threat their job is effectively completed as the Cleanout. The Cleanout is often on the gound after executing the Cleanout. In this situation the Cleanout can get to their feet quickly and re-enter the ruck through the Gate and become a second Firewall.
They do so by binding onto the side of first Firewall. This stabalizes the Ruck even further and pretty much ensures the ruck will be resistant to any form of counter-rucking. On this basis it should be possible to win any ruck using just 3 players along with the ball carrier (a total of 4 players) in most situations. This will free up the other 11 players to launch the next attack.
But if any of the players at the ruck, including the tackled player, fail to execute their role efficiently, it will more than likely require another player or players to get to the ruck to ensure the possession is retained. Any extra player involved in the ruck results in less attackers available to launch the next attack.
The other possible occasion when more than 3 players may be required to win a ruck is when a player is caught in possession well behind the gain-line, e.g. going back to collect a kick in the backfield or getting tackled during a counter-attack from deep. In this situation it is more likely a case of retaining possession regardless of the number of players needed. Most teams usually kick possession from this situation.
If a team can consistently present the ball well in the tackle and get 3 players to the ruck quickly and all there players execute the roles of Cleanout, Combat and Firerwall efficiently, quick ruck ball is a very reasonable expectation.
Eddie
Tags: eddie osullivan blog, ruck breakdown skills, ruck transition skills, Rucking, rucking skills
Posted in A, Adult- Community, Age, Category, Coaches, Colts- U18-19, Player, Role, Rucking, Ruckipedia, Site Articles, Technical, rugby development | View Comments
Tuesday, October 18th, 2011
The Combat
Once the Cleanout removes the “Threat” to the ball it does not automatically mean the ball is safe from the opposition. In fact it is still very vulnerable as it has been placed on the ground by the tackled player and available to any player from either team that can access it by coming through the “Gate”.
The second support player after the Cleanout is called the “Combat” and they play a vital role in securing possession without ever actually playing the ball. Some players arriving in that role automatically pick up the ball and try to advance it just because it is available to them. This tactic is only advisable if there are no opposition players around to stop them advancing the ball. A good indicator for the Combat, as to whether they should play the ball or not, is if they pick up the ball they should be in a position to advance the ball themselves at least 2-3 meters before being tackled or be able to pass the ball to a team-mate who can advance the ball 2-3 meters.
If this isn’t possible and the Combat plays the ball they are often tackled immediately without advancing the ball. The result is another tackle situation that has to to dealt with pretty much in the same spot where the original tackle occurred. This is a waste of energy for everybody involved as there is no net gain, it requires extra players to win the ball and it slows up the eventual delivery of the ball from the ruck.
So more often that not the Combat does NOT play the ball. They step into the space just in front of the ball, so the ball (that was placed by the tackled player) is on the ground, just at the heel of their hindmost foot. This space is called the “Combat Zone” and once the Combat wins the Combat Zone the ball is no longer available to the defenders. I use the term “Win” in relation to the Combat Zone as the opposition are also trying to win that space just in front of the ball… hence the term “Combat Zone”.
To win and retain the Combat Zone the Combat has to assume a very strong body position and expect to be challenged and counter-rucked by the opposition. The best body position is: Feet set wider than shoulder width apart, one foot in front of the other, head up, back straight and hips close to the ground. Hands up and ready to fend off challenges from the opposition in the Combat Zone. It is very similar to the classic rucking body position used to clean out in the Knee Lift Technique.
The battle for the combat zone usually lasts for no more than 2-3 seconds. But even after it is won the Combat must remain alert and continue to retain a strong body position to avoid being counter-rucked out of the Combat Zone. Opposition will often stop challenging for the Combat Zone once the attacking team win that space, but will re-challenge if they sense the Combat has become weak.
Even after the Combat Zone is won the ball is still not secure as it is technically not in the ruck, but behind the hindmost foot of the Combat. At this point the third support player, called the “Firewall”, must complete the ruck and finally secure the quick ruck ball the attacking team requires.
Eddie
Tags: breakdown, ruck, ruck breakdown skills, ruck transition skills, Rucking
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Wednesday, October 12th, 2011
The Cleanout is the 1st player to arrive at the tackle situation. Their primary role is to remove the threat that exists to the ball. That “Threat” arises from the opposition defenders arriving at the tackle. The Cleanout usually arrives to the tackle around the same time as the 1st defender arrives. The role of the defender is to poach (turnover) the ball or at least slow down the delivery of the ball. If the Cleanout is late in arriving at the tackle the 1st defender has usually gotten their hands on the ball which more often than not results in a turnover or a penalty against the tackled player for holding on in the tackle.
There are basically three different methods or techniques for removing the “Threat” (1st defender) from the tackle situation but those techniques are determined by the body position of the Threat.
1.The Knee Lift: This technique is used when the “Threat” is in a relatively upright position having stepped over the tackled play. The fact that they have stepped over the tackled player presents the ideal leverage for removing the Threat. From a low body position the Cleanout must get their body under the Threat with their head to the side of the Threat’s trunk (This puts the Cleanout’s head in a safe position). Then using their arm nearest to the Threat’s leg they should lift up the leg of the Threat from under the Threats knee and drive the Threat out of the tackle area.
2.The Body Sack: This technique is used when the Threat is lying on top of the tackled player. Even though the Threat is required to roll away and cannot play the ball as they are off their feet, their delaying in doing so can often slow down the delivery of the ball. In this situation the Cleanout must drop into a very low body position and using their shoulder (arms still in the extended position) drive the Threat off the tackled player. In doing so the Cleanout may go to ground. But as long as they drive through the tackled area and do not go to ground in a position to protect or “seal off the ball” from the opposition, it is a positive action and should not be penalised by the referee.
3.The Saddle Roll: This along with the Body Sack is the most common cleanout technique used nowadays. In this situation the Threat is on their feet and reaching in over the tackled player onto the ball with 2 hands. This puts the Threat in the perfect position to poach the ball. The Saddle Roll technique requires the Cleanout to wrap both arms around the trunk of the Threat (as high up under their armpits as possible), squeeze tightly around the trunk of the Threat and roll or torc them sideways and out of the tackle area.
With all 3 cleanout techniques the Cleanout will more often than not go to ground. In doing so they must NOT find themselves in a position to protect or “seal off” the ball. That is illegal and should be penalized. But if they go to ground outside the tackle area they are having no impact on the ball and it’s availability to the defense. That is a positive action and perfectly legal under the law.
With the threat now removed from the ball the next priority is to secure the space just in front of the ball. That is where the 2nd support player to arrive, known as the “Combat”, gets to work.
Eddie
Tags: counter rucking, eddie osullivan blog, ruck breakdown skills, ruck transition skills, Rucking
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Wednesday, October 5th, 2011
The ball carrier’s first responsibility is to decide whether or not it is possible to advance the ball by just running forward or passing to a supporting player in a better position to advance the ball. If neither option is available the ball carrier may decide to kick the ball or attempt to run and evade the defender.
If the ball carrier decides to run and fails to evade a defender then this results in a tackle and the ball carrier must prepare for contact and the possibility of going to ground. These possible actions by the ball carrier are the basis for decision making. Good decision makers make good decisions which is another way of saying it makes them more skillful.
Once the ball carrier decides to make contact with the defender, the process of preparing for contact is crucial. It involves preparing mentally and physically for contact and consciously wrapping the ball up tight so it isn’t dislodges on contact. In preparing physically for contact it is usually worthwhile to attack a space on either side of the potential tackler. This achieves two goals: Firstly, it ensures the defender is less likely to dominate the collision and may later create the opportunity of an offload for the ball carrier.
Once in contact the ball carrier should retain a strong body position and leg drive in order to drive past the point of contact and dominate the collision. Staying low and keeping ones hips square and facing the opposition goal line throughout contact, is a good way of achieving that strong body position. If the ball carrier can dominate the collision achieve some “go forward’ before going to ground they set the platform for a quick ruck.
On going to ground the ball carrier becomes the tackled player so their priority changes to presenting the ball in the tackle. They have just one opportunity to achieve goal of presenting the ball as a second attempt to achieve this is against the law.
The tackled player should immediately turn or “torc” their body back on going to ground and reach as far back as possible towards their own goal line while placing the ball on the ground. The further back they reach in placing the ball the more difficult it will be for the defense get at the ball. This also makes the role of the Cleanout easier to execute as the 1st defender will have to get further through the tackle area to access the ball.
If the ball carrier loses the collision and is driven backwards in the tackle the priorities remain the same in terms of presenting the ball. Despite losing territory in contact they should still reach as far back towards their own goal mine when placing the ball.
Once the tackled player places the ball their role is completed as they are no longer allowed to play the ball and are effectively out of the game. The role of the Cleanout becomes the next priority for the support players.
I will discuss the role of the Cleanout in more detail in the next segment on Tackle/Ruck Transition.
Eddie
Tags: breakdown, breakdown counter rucking, ruck, ruck transition skills, rucking skills
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Thursday, September 29th, 2011
It is very difficult to discuss the ruck without discussing the tackle and vica versa. The tackle usually develops into a ruck and for that reason the events that occur at the tackle have a big impact on the ruck.
The tackled player sets the platform for the ruck in the way they retain and present the ball during contact. Whether or not they win the collision and their body position after going to ground effects how the ball is presented.
The support players arriving at the tackle take up important roles, not just in terms of winning the ruck and retaining possession, but in the speed at which the ball is made available. Every coach knows, regardless of how defensively skilled a team are, even the best teams in the world struggle to defend against quick ruck ball. Hence the production of quick ruck ball is paramount in attack.
For that reason every team in attack aspires to creating quick ball while every team in defense, if they cannot regain possession, at least aspires to slowing it down. On that basis the efficiency of the attacking support players arriving at the tackle will determine the success and efficiency at the ruck.
Each support player arriving at the tackle, and it only requires three, should get to the tackle area as quickly as possible. The general rule is usually – “The nearest 3 players to the tackle go to the ruck”. Each player arriving at the ruck has a specific role to perform to achieve their goal of quick ruck ball.
The first player arriving must remove the opposition threat to the ball. That player is called the “Cleanout”. The threat to the ball is usually the 1st defender who could potentially poach (turnover) or slow down the delivery of the ball. There are different techniques necessary to removing the threat from the tackle area. The required technique is dependent on how the threatening defender presents themselves.
The second support player arriving at the tackle must take the space just in front of where the ball is presented but no further than the ball sitting at their heels. They must also retain a strong body position. That player is called the “Combat”. The space they occupy is called the “Combat Zone”, as occupying that space denies the defense access to the ball and once the defence engages the “Combat” a ruck is formed under law.
The final role is for the 3rd support player who latches onto the Combat and over the ball. This achieves two important objectives. Firstly, it protects the ball so it remains inside the hindmost foot of the ruck. Secondly, it stabilizes the ruck. This player is called the “Firewall”.
Both the Combat and the Firewall must retain intensity and strong body positions throughout the ruck. A weak Combat or Firewall leaves the ruck vulnerable to counter rucking from the defence.
In the next segments on Tackle/Ruck Transition I will discuss the roles of each player in more specific detail.
Eddie
Tags: ruck breakdown skills, ruck transition skills, rucking skills, rugby tackle area skills
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Saturday, September 24th, 2011
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 1st 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 3rd 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
Tags: donnys blog, winning quick ball
Posted in A, Adult- Community, Age, Category, Coaches, Colts- U18-19, Player, Role, Ruck / Maul, Ruckipedia, Site Articles, Technical, Technical, rugby development | View Comments
Saturday, September 17th, 2011
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
Tags: donnys blog, lines of support, rugby support play
Posted in A, Adult- Community, Age, Category, Coaches, Colts- U18-19, Handling, Midi- U11-U12, Role, Ruckipedia, Site Articles, Technical, rugby development | View Comments
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