Rugby coaching tips for defender body positions
As well as coaching defensive tactics and moves with your team, players must also know how to shape up when facing big, powerful attackers. The players must be in a position where they can see what's happening in front of them and react to the situation. Here are three tips to improve your players' body positions when they're in defence.
1. Inside foot forward
The inside foot forward will turn the defender's body slightly outwards and help him look at his opponents rather than the ball ("ball watching"). This helps ensure the defender doesn’t miss a late change in the attacker’s angle of running or a deeper player entering the line.
2. Body weight balanced
The player's body weight should be forward, ready to advance as soon as the ball is passed. Make sure the weight is not so far forward that the player is overbalancing. The knees should be bent and the hips dropped slightly, which is similar to the starting position of a middle-distance runner.
3. "Show and tell" the target
One arm is up, pointing at the opposition player who the defender is covering. He should also be communicating this information to the defenders on either side of him.
Click here for acceleration and sprinting tips to give your defenders a boost.
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