Support - Turnover and Counter-Attack

Support play is essential to rugby, particularly in sevens where there is more space. This clip sums up the importance of support. The Eastbourne College scrum-half is isolated and turned-over. Eton then counter-attack and, despite the best efforts of a single Eastbourne defender, they are able to secure the try thanks to an offload to a support runner.

Running Lines in Attack

Modern defensive lines are well-organised and hard to break. It depends on the quality execution of attacking fundamentals. A good introduction is 'unders' and 'overs' running lines. Log in to see the full session.

Breakdown Skills - Progressions

Sevens - Uncovered - The Breakdown Specialists

The breakdown has become a significant area for coaches and players to focus on. All players now need the technical skills and the intensity to compete at the tackle area and if players are poor in this area teams will be exposed. Some teams will select a specialist in this area and combine his skills with tackle technique from other players so that they work in units to turn over possesion

Fringe Attack - Pop and Ruck

Attacking close around the fringe can minimise risk of losing the ball and can help turn slow ball into quick ball, putting the defence on the back-foot.

Broncos 3 - Develop waves of attack

The first wave of attackers identify space and punch through the first line of defence. The ball carrier looks to move the ball quickly and away from covering defenders. This exercise tries to copy game situations as players cover their team mates in defence

Offloads through contact then lateral pass

In groups of 4, players must support each other through a tight channel of tackle shields, before panning out to complete lateral passes to the wing.

Change the point of attack - 4 v 3

This drill allows you to develop decision making by varying the attack and defence continually thus accelerating learning

Clearing 3 rucks

A great progression from the single bag clearance, to test the competence and fitness of a player by focusing on clearing out three progressive rucks.

Sevens - Offloads 2

To execute an offload you need to have support players in the right area, here the ball carrier knows he has support and is able to take a risk and offload out of the back of the tackle. Prior to the offload the ball carrier works hard to stay on his feet. Key factor : Leg drive - Twist and work the body in contact - Control ball one handed - Communication from support players

Scrum - 8 picks - forward drive then wide

Having a stable scrum allows the back row especially the number 8 to go forward and gain valuable yardage. Here the intention is to go forward through the Number 8, suck in the opposition back row and then go wide.

Lions 09 Backs support lines 3

Lions 2009 support drills, with a progression

Offload out of the tackle in channel

A good start for developing offload and tackle skills, allowing you to manage the amount of contact in the tackle whilst performing the skill successfully. Key factors : Strong base - Lead with arm and shoulder - Keep looking forward with head up - Wrap arm around legs / waist and squeeze tight with other arm - Use attackers bodyweight to rotate your body

Scrum - Rangi 10 - 12 - drive - wide

This is one of a multitude of patterns of play from a scrum. This pattern tests the ability of a team to create space and then use it.

Sevens - Straight Scrums 2

Scrums are a great platform to attack from in seven's, notice the fly half (2nd reciever) is directly behind the scrum and can choose which way to attack. Key factors : Work as a unit - Strong core - Tight binding - Leg drive

Scrum - Rangi 13 - drive - and support

Patterns of play from a scrum vary immensely - here the point of contact is moved out from twelve to thirteen, this results in the play and support stretching the defence.

Lions - play from scrum - continuity

Developing play from the scrum is an important part of the understanding of how the scrum is part of a gameplan

Lions 09 backs support lines 2

Lions 2009 support and continuity work

Tackle bag hit & support

This is similar to many of the channel drills - but here we have support runners flooding through the channels supporting the tackler and ball carrier.

Hit bags then handling and support

This drill incorporates two main areas, supporting the ball carrier and the subsequent delivery of quick ball, developing understanding of where to play to after contact. i.e. into space

Support ball carrier through contact

This drill is an effective method of teaching players how to support the ball carrier effectively and within the laws, through the gate. A quick drill to setup and for the players to develop understanding of roles required in support.

Clear the defending player from a ruck

Creating quick ball requires players to be able to manage the breakdown/ruck area. This exercise lets the players practice clearing defenders that are slowing down the recycling of possession.

Attack from ruck into 2 v 3

A development of continuity is to create and use the quick ball. A drill which works on this principle, posing decision making opportunities thereby establishing better continuity.

Clearing the ruck

A good practice for developing the most effective ways to get into the correct body shape and to clear the pad away from the ruck.

Contact drill into 3 v 2

A combination drill encompassing several different elements that you find in a game.

Support the tackler - in large grid

Support is an essential part of continuity, in this drill the support player needs to stay in a position to catch the ball from the top of the bag as it is tackled.

Bag hit then attack from ruck

A drill that combines collision and contact with handling. You can progress this drill in several ways and increase the intensity very easily

Tackle support down channel

This drill is an effective method developing understanding of support lines after a contact or collision situation. The players can be instructed to attack any of the three pads and play accordingly therefore creating some degree of decision making.