Rugby coaching game to exploit advantages in attack
Having rugby "game vision" means seeing spaces and moving the ball to those spaces. Players can also recognise mismatches in terms of speed and strength.
The game "Mismatch vision" aims to have forwards running at backs, and backs running at forwards.
Set up Mismatch game
- Players: No more than eight aside. Equal number of forwards and backs on each team.
- Area: 40m square (depending on numbers).
- Equipment: One ball. (Optional bibs and shirts to distinguish forwards from backs.)
Game notes
- Touch tackled players restart by "posting the ball" through the legs (see the picture below).
- The tackler and tackled player cannot move until the ball is passed away.
- The defending side must retreat two metres behind the tackle.
- A persistently offside player has to leave the pitch for 30 seconds.
- Restart at the point of any infringement with a tap and pass. The ball is allowed to go along the ground.
- Score 1 point for a try.
What to call out in this game
- "Look for and communicate mismatches."
- "Attack from deep."
- "Play the ball quickly."
Key rugby coaching notes - You can mix up the numbers so one side has more of one type of player than the other side.
- Develop the game to full-on tackling, with the same rugby league "play the ball" style of restart.
For more rugby coaching games,
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48 Rugby Skills Games.
Click here for more rugby coaching tips on exploiting space.
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