Introducing a defensive System

This exercise focuses on the key elements of a strong defensive system, including scanning, line-speed and staying linked with your team mates.

British Bulldogs - Defence game

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.

Turnover session - 4 Linespeed

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

Quins - Defence Spacing & Line Speed

Tony Dirpose from Harlequins delivers a unit defence exercise on spacing and line speed

Fringe Defence at the Breakdown

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

Blitz & Drift Defence Drills

This video takes you through the basics of both blitz and drift defences and provides great drill ideas.

Defence - Exit & Kick-chase

Defence - Exit & Kick Chase

Blitz Defence - Its simple If You Know How

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

The Defensive Line

The Defensive Line

Game for Communication Skills

A clever game created by Russell Earnshaw to encourage players to experiment and learn about communication

Conditioned Game - Breakdown Technique

Conditioned Game - Breakdown Technique

Structure & principles of how to coach defence

A brief overview of the importance of strong defensive structure and some basic exercises to build it.

Coaching Defensive Systems

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

Drift Defence from Breakdown

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.

Defensive Organisation - Re-alignment

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.

Broncos 5 - 2 Ball touch to test the defence

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

Coaching tackle technique in groups

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

Tackle Technique Warm-up

Tackle Technique Warm-up

Broncos 6 - Attack to Defence 8 v 5

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

Back Row Defence

Back Row Defence

Broncos 1 - Scramble defence - Tracking back

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

Kick Out Touch

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.

Kick Out Touch

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.

Team defence Session

The team warm up with individual tackle techniques, progress to unit work and then onto full team exercises from set piece play

Lions 09 Backs defence 3

A clip with a progression on defensive systems from the 2009 Lions Tour

Lions 09 Backs defence 1

A clip from the 2009 on defence systems

Lions 09 backs defence 4 man on man

Lions 2009 defence clip

JWC 2012: Defence

Statistics from the 2012 JWC show that teams with stronger defences performed better.

Lions 09 - Strike Moves

The Lions drill for developing awareness of attack and defence options

Lions 09 Backs defence 2

A clip from the 2009 Lions

Contact Square - Inside Clear

All attacking players need to fix their opposite defender.

Diamond shape support

An exercise for continuity and support.

The coach can set the width of the channel and intensity of the defenders

Warm up with collision

A progression for preparing the player for contact & collison

Tackle bag drill in 6s, alignment and contact

This drill is another method for developing contact and collision confidence, at the same time encouraging communication and developing fitness.

Reset and Sprint

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.

3 man hit bags from floor

A drill that develops line speed and defensive systems all in one. A good drill to progress into a game