At the 2012 Junior World Championship in South Africa, the teams were stronger defenses before Bethel. This means that squads know investing more time on efficient offense and that turnovers are considered just as important as set-piece. It may also be a result of more defense coaches filtering down from high levels of the game. The stats show that South Africa who won the tournament had the best offense their opponents needed on average 27 minutes of possession to score a try whereas Scotland's opponents in less than 4 Wales who came third scored almost 70% of their tries from ball obtained inside the opponent's 22. They opted to kick and defend rather than run the ball. What does this mean for coaches defense is easy to improve if players are taught the correct techniques at a younger age. It can be difficult to coach if kids are unsure on contact. Therefore. It's a good idea to progress slowly and involve fun activities along with technical points promote the fun and satisfaction of making a good tackle coaches have seen your bananas should consider the advances in technical skills and games that Elite coaches use for technique organization and wind speed.
After starting with a defence-focused game, this drill can be used to focus on organising a drift defence from the breakdown. The four defenders touch all cones in the tackle area to simulate chaos before getting into position.
The team warm up with individual tackle techniques, progress to unit work and then onto full team exercises from set piece play
A brief overview of the importance of strong defensive structure and some basic exercises to build it.
Conditioned Game - Breakdown Technique
Tony Dirpose from Harlequins delivers a unit defence exercise on spacing and line speed
When the experts explain things in simple terms it all makes sense. The Blitz defence can be confusing and delivering the coaching blocks to develop this policy can be tricky. Richard Thorpe explains things in easy to understand language
Tackle Technique Warm-up
A clever game created by Russell Earnshaw to encourage players to experiment and learn about communication
The Defensive Line
Building a defensive system starts with the first three defenders and what they need to do at the breakdown. The Northampton saints coaches go through the steps and progressions to help younger players learn the key movements and techniques
Coaching defence starts with some warm up games and progresses to specific skills and the coach then builds upon these basics. A system of defence is then introduced and practised in a conditioned game
The ability to move from 1 to 1 tackling exercises into unit & group skills can be tricky. Here are some tips that you could use
This exercise focuses on the key elements of a strong defensive system, including scanning, line-speed and staying linked with your team mates.
Defence - Exit & Kick Chase
The classic schoolyard game. Played full contact but with tackle pads. Attackers must get to the other side of the field without dropping their ball or being pinned to the ground by defenders with tackle pads.
Use this exercise to replicate a line break with one defender to beat. The attackers need to move the defender and execute a 2 v 1 while the initial defender tracks back to stop the pass. Also works movement at top end speed for the main attacker
A combination of skills are tested, both technical and tactical with the defenders moving from a passing activity to defending 8 attackers. The coach can change the attack with different starting points and number of attackers
This exercise tests the defenders ability to keep a peripheral view of where the next threat might be coming from and to keep communicating with colleagues. Attackers are always looking for the next opportunity an so should defenders
This video takes you through the basics of both blitz and drift defences and provides great drill ideas.
All attacking players need to fix their opposite defender.
An exercise for continuity and support.
The coach can set the width of the channel and intensity of the defenders
Speed is an essential part of all rugby players fitness requirements. Players here get used to resetting the line, for example used in a match scenario by getting on side.
A drill that develops line speed and defensive systems all in one. A good drill to progress into a game
This game simulates a counter-attack situation. The attacking side must gather the ball, look up to assess the defensive line, and attack the right areas. Start with fewer defenders, adding one on each attempt to increase difficulty. Progression: Defensive lines should vary between a wide or narrow alignment, to test the decision-making of the attackers.
This game simulates a counter-attack situation. The attacking side must gather the ball, look up to assess the defensive line, and attack the right areas. Start with fewer defenders, adding one on each attempt to increase difficulty. Progression: Defensive lines should vary between a wide or narrow alignment, to test the decision-making of the attackers.
Players must observe the actions of the attacking side, and organise their defensive line early to be able to counter it. A continuous drill that requires patience and good communication.
Practice of team defence is important for reinforcing effective systems of defence that require aspects such as communication, pressure and drifting
A clip from the 2009 on defence systems
A progression for preparing the player for contact & collison
In this exercise, the emphasis is on linespeed in defence. The purpose is to put pressure on the attacking team to force an error and create the turnover opportunity.
When an opportunity is acknowledged, players flood the breakdown to gain possession, before moving the ball away quickly
Lions 2009 defence clip
This drill is another method for developing contact and collision confidence, at the same time encouraging communication and developing fitness.
The Lions drill for developing awareness of attack and defence options
A clip from the 2009 Lions
A clip with a progression on defensive systems from the 2009 Lions Tour
Back Row Defence
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