ATTACK & EVASION

ATTACK & EVASION

Head of Rugby: Allan Miles A1

KEY COACHING POINTS

Common Errors: 1. No pace: Running half pace. Solution: Work

full speed. 2. Ball not in two hands: Ball under the arm.

Solution: Keep ball in front of body. 3. Strides too long / no balance: Wide paces.

Solution: Shorten strides. 4. Not shifting the ball to the outside hand:

Not shifting the ball. Solution: Shift ball in contact i.e. body before ball.

5. Side step too late: Getting too close to defender. Solution: Timing (2-3m away).

6. Side step too early: Step is early and allows defender to shift. Solution: Timing.

When taking the ball up:

Use your feet to beat the defender

Love him and leave him (eye contact to fix the defender)

Ball in two hands

Look for support runners before contact

Look for the offload when tackled i.e. on the ground

ATTACK & EVASION


KEY COACHING POINTS

7. Over complicating things: Too many steps. Solution: Keep it simple.

8. Not accelerating after step: Not working hard after step. Solution: Accelerate aggressively.

9. Not creating two options: Running across the field. Solution: Take defender one way and step.

10. No hand off: Not fending. Solution: Use arm aggressively.

11. Not making eye contact: Not watching the defender. Solution: Watch his actions.

12. Not attacking the space: Running at players. Solution: Use feet to hit space.

13. Slowing down to step: Loosing pace. Solution: Maintain balance / pace

14. Ball in wrong hand: Ball on the side of the defender. Solution: Ball under outside arm.

ATTACK & EVASION


SUPPORTING/CONTINUITY DRILLS

1. Normal Passing

2. Diamond Support

3. Scissor

4. Rip and pop

5. Flipping: Player goes to ground and flips

6. Snake: Player goes to ground, places and

next player pick and drive

7. Sealer: Player goes to ground, places. Next

player seals and the next player pick and

drive etc.

https://youtu.be/Gy-6DqGPae0

https://youtu.be/05ocPcEfwpQ

ATTACK & EVASION


DIAMOND SUPPORT

Ball carrier passes to his right support runner.

The player behind the initial carrier then

supports on this players right. The left

supporter stays supporting on the left. The

passer shifts behind the new ball carrier.

https://youtu.be/5SaXE2TuBiY

https://youtu.be/5SaXE2TuBiY

ATTACK & EVASION


DEFENDER AND SHIELD ATTACK

A Defender starts behind the line with the

Attackers. Another Defender holding a shield also

defends against the attacking players.

Coaching Points:

Attack the space

Support the ball carrier

Communicate

Variation:

The starting positions of the Attackers / Defenders

can be changed.

ATTACK & EVASION


SHIELD ATTACK

4 Attackers start in the small grid. The coach

shouts a colour which indicates which ball needs to

be picked up and used to attack with. The

Attackers all have to go around a separate cone.

The Defenders who are holding a shield then

defend. The space between the defenders can be

further apart to make it easier for the attacking

players.

Coaching Points: Communication is important. The

Attackers must remember to score the try!

https://youtu.be/x6gvlOFyeXo

https://youtu.be/x6gvlOFyeXo

ATTACK & EVASION


4 ON 2 TIME PRESSURE GRID

4 Attackers attack against 2 defenders. The

defenders must stay in demarcated areas.

Attackers must avoid being touched while trying to

score the try. If they touched or drop the ball they

need to start again in the middle. When they do

score they attack the opposite side. The Attackers

need to be put under time pressure, suggestion is

for 2min.

https://youtu.be/szGqkvUfGmg

https://youtu.be/szGqkvUfGmg

ATTACK & EVASION


ATTACK EVASION

An Attacker and Defender start in the middle of the

grid. They both run around their respective cones.

The attacker tries to evade the Defender to score.

Variation: One can progress to full contact.

Coaching Points: Don’t step too soon or too late. Try

and teach the Attackers to hold the ball in two

hands before evading.

ATTACK & EVASION


2 V 1 ATTACKING DRILL

Two Attackers attack down the channel. A

Defender defends. At the end the Supporter pops

to the next pair of Attackers. The Defender will

finish on the opposite side after defending.

ATTACK & EVASION


ATTACKING PYRAMID

Two Attackers attack a Defender who then becomes

part of the next attack i.e. 2 on 1, then 3 on 2 etc.

Coaching Points:

The spacing between the defenders is important; it

needs to be at least 15m.

ATTACK & EVASION


CONTINUOUS ATTACK

Attackers continue attacking the tryline.

After the touch, knock on or dropped ball, the

Defenders move back to the tryline and the

Attackers restart from the 5m.

ATTACK & EVASION


3 V 2 CONTINUOUS ATTACK

3 Attackers run through a grid. One of them picks

up a ball. 2 Defenders pick up a Hit Shield and

defend. After defending the Defenders place the Hit

Shields on the ground on the opposite end. This is

the signal for the next group to continue.

ATTACK & EVASION


EVASION SQUARE

A group of players try avoid being tagged by the

ball. If they are tagged or run out of the demarcated

area they are out.

Coaching Points: Put the players under time

pressure for competition on how quickly they can

get all the other players out.

ATTACK & EVASION


BEATING THE CROSS COVER DEFENCE

The wing in possession runs for the corner where

one defender (fullback) tries to stop him. The

defender varies his pace i.e. giving the winger

different options, inside or outside. Another

defender can be introduced which will make it even

more challenging for the wing.

Coaching Points: All evasive skills can be practiced.

The ball should be carried in the outside arm.

ATTACK & EVASION


SWERVE DRILL

A Player runs around the outside cone, receives a

pass and then adjusts around the middle cone and

ends at the next cone.

Coaching Points: A swerve is off the outside foot and

can be done at full pace.

https://youtu.be/GNTDcf1jhoE

https://youtu.be/8nG_oUAGTAQ

https://youtu.be/GNTDcf1jhoE

https://youtu.be/8nG_oUAGTAQ

ATTACK & EVASION


CHANGE OF PACE DRILL

The Attacking player jogs through the channel until

he reaches the first cone. He then sprints and

evades the defender. Slows down at the next cone

and repeats. The Defenders start moving once the

player reaches the second cone. They finish on the

opposite side.

Coaching Points: A swerve is off the outside foot

and can be done at full pace.

https://youtu.be/ZL3jm_6v4DI

https://youtu.be/ZL3jm_6v4DI

ATTACK & EVASION


CHANGING GEARS

Players run through a channel. For the first 10m they jog. They then run at ¾ pace before sprinting the last 10m.

ATTACK & EVASION


TRIANGLE AGILITY

Player sprints forward to a cone. He then runs backward around the second cone before sprinting forward again.

ATTACK & EVASION


SPRINTS

Stand up on your toes, falling forward and sprint.

Coaching Points: Falling forward forces the player to prevent the negative step.

Variation: Jump into the air and sprint

ATTACK & EVASION


SHIELD DRIVE AGILITY

A Defender meets an Attacker (holding a Hit

Shield) halfway. Drives him back and then

runs backwards i.e. facing forwards, around

the cone to repeat.

ATTACK & EVASION


RUNNING BACKWARDS AND TURN

Running backwards and turn around.

ATTACK & EVASION


RESISTANCE SPRINTS

Players pair up. A Player holds his partner back

with a towel and after a few strides releases.

ATTACK & EVASION


ZIGZAG RUNNING

Players zigzag through the channel touching the

cones.

ATTACK & EVASION


TWO LEGGED TACKLE BAG HOPS

Two legged hops over Tackle Bags.

Coaching Points: Emphasis on jumping off both feet

Variation: Side jumps

ATTACK & EVASION


FORWARD AND BACKWARD HOPS

Two legged hops forward and backwards over

Tackle Bags and Shields.

Coaching Points: Emphasis on jumping off both

feet

Variation: Side jumps

ATTACK & EVASION


SIDE HOPS

Two legged hops: Forward and then to the side

Variation: Stepping forward and to the side

Coaching Points: If you don’t have Agility Hurdles

you can replace them with Shields or Cones.

ATTACK & EVASION


SIDE STEP DRILL 1

Players opposite each other run towards one

another. When they reach the middle of the

channel they both side step in the same direction.

They then turn around and repeat.

Coaching Points: Cut hard off the inside foot and

straighten.

https://youtu.be/RyjOWcp8UDQ

https://youtu.be/RyjOWcp8UDQ

ATTACK & EVASION


SIDE STEP DRILL 2

Scatter cones in a channel. A player runs

through the channel stepping the cones. The

next player follows and copies him.

ATTACK & EVASION


SIDE STEP 3

A Player approaches a defender holding a slalom

pole. The Defender leans the pole to a side and

the Attacker must step the opposite direction.

Coaching Points: If you don’t have slalom poles

the Defender can stick out his arm.

ATTACK & EVASION


FEND SQUARE

Keep arm straight to fend off defender and offload

to support player.

Coaching Points:

Wide low strong stance.

Use footwork to control movements of the

Defender.

Variation: The “Bull” technique can also be

practiced. Fending against the defenders left

shoulder you grab his jersey, bend your arm (bring

him towards you), swivel and pop to supporting

player off your left hip.

ATTACK & EVASION


FEND 1

Attacking player with the ball jogs towards the

Defender and fends off of him. Ball is carried in

both hands before shifting it away from contact.

Variation: If there aren’t enough balls players can

do the exercise without. Step 1: Stationery

Defender. Step 2: Moving Defender.

Coaching Points: Arm bent slightly and then

straightens when fending i.e. push off. Contact area

on shoulder, head or chest. Make contact and push

away with a step.

ATTACK & EVASION


FEND 2

Attacking player with the ball jogs towards the

Defender and fends off of him. Ball is carried in

both hands before shifting it away from contact.

Variation: If there aren’t enough balls players can

do the exercise without. Step 1: Stationery

Defender. Step 2: Moving Defender.

Coaching Points: Arm bent slightly and then

straightens when fending i.e. push off. Contact area

on shoulder, head or chest. Make contact and push

away with a step.

ATTACK & EVASION


HIT AND SPIN

Attacking player with the ball runs towards the

Defender holding Hit Shield, hits and spins. Ball is

carried in both hands before shifting it away from

contact.

Variation: You can progress to a hit and spin with

an offload to a supporter.

Coaching Points: Hit the inside part of the shield

and spin the opposite way i.e. hit with your right

shoulder on the left of the shield (ball in left hand)

and spin to your left. Use your forearm to block /

control the defender.

ATTACK & EVASION


BERMUDA TRIANGLE

A Player approaches the triangle and either runs

an overs line (out / away) or an unders line (in /

towards) before receiving the ball.

Variation: A Defender can be added.

https://youtu.be/RoRV2E4-y_c

https://youtu.be/ctukfkDZqOk

https://youtu.be/RoRV2E4-y_c

https://youtu.be/ctukfkDZqOk

ATTACK & EVASION


100

Skip pass

ATTACK & EVASION


SKUD

Play behind the outside runner who runs an

overs lines.

ATTACK & EVASION


LARRY

Play outside runner on the unders line.

ATTACK & EVASION


CRAB

The outside runner is played after the carrier

and supporter drift.

ATTACK & EVASION


BLADE

Inside pass

ATTACK & EVASION


RAZOR

0

Inside skip pass

ATTACK & EVASION


SNIPER

Dummy Zorro and pop back inside to trailing

runner.

ATTACK & EVASION


BEEFY

Ball carrier draws his man with an unders line

and pops to the trailing runner. The outside

player must square up his defender.

ATTACK & EVASION


100 AXE

Skipped player loops

ATTACK & EVASION


BOZO

After passing the player loops around the

outside player. He receives the ball again from

a pass behind the outside player.

ATTACK & EVASION


TRAIL RUNNING

Ball carrier takes the Defender away. If he goes the

same way as his front runner (closest supporting

player) follows him. Ball carrier plays back inside to

the trail runner. Trailing runner always follows the

ball carrier. Ball carrier creates the space for the

trail runner to follow through. Trail runner creates

second support line.

ATTACK & EVASION


PERIPHERAL DRILL

The player in the middle of the grid faces towards

the outside player. He needs to keep in line with

him and the player to his left. The outside players

can move either direction. He needs to use his

peripheral vision to keep in line with the player on

his left.

ATTACK & EVASION


EVASION DRILL

Two players start in the middle, back to back. On

the whistle they run around their opposite cone

and attack or defend. As an evasion drill the

defender needs to try and tag the attacker with

two hands.

Progression:

The same set up can be used to evaluate front on,

side on left and side on right tackles. In this case

the attacker is told what side to attack e.g. front on

or the left etc.

ATTACK & EVASION


1 vs. 1 EVASION GRID

The attacker attacks towards his try line. When

he is tagged he then gets back to defend etc.

Coaching Point:

Continuous drill

https://youtu.be/4pXxfRZUTAs

https://youtu.be/4pXxfRZUTAs

ATTACK & EVASION


ATTACK VS. DEFENCE CHANNEL

The coach can vary the defence that the attack comes

up against e.g. 1 – 2 or 2 – 1 etc.

Coaching Point:

Isolate the defender and encourage attackers to take

them on. Get in behind the ball i.e. trail runner.

ATTACK & EVASION


LINE ATTACK

Ball carrier takes the defender off the line (either

way) and passes to his support runner.

Coaching Points:

Support runner is going in a straight line (doesn’t

matter what way the ball carrier goes).

You don’t want to drift sideways when you going

through a gap.

ATTACK & EVASION


SUPPORTING THE BALL CARRIER

Play the second attacker through gap. He draws the

defender to keep the ball alive.

Progression: Everyone is supporting the ball carrier

this is why the attack gets lateral/overrun it. Give

each player a number e.g. 1, 2, etc. 1 supports the

ball carrier and then 2 supports 1 etc.

Coaching Points: Be as explosive with the ball

without it. Every player must be a threat. Run,

catch and pass to fix defender. Ball carrier must do

the work.

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ATTACK & EVASION