Overload attack game

Challenge your players' individual and unit defensive abilities with this fun rugby skills game.

Set up a square of a size appropriate to the age and skills of your players, and the intensity you want during the rugby training drill. Name the sides of the square, let's say A, B, C and D. Place three defenders in the square, with a group of four or five attackers on each side.

When you call out either A, B, C or D, the attacking group at that side attacks through the square, beating the defenders to score on the opposite side. The attackers can run, pass and evade, but not kick. Then repeat the exercise with a new group of attackers.

The idea is to force the defenders to have to continually react, organise quickly and make loads of tackles. Consequently, keep up the momentum and the intensity of the attacks throughout this tackling drill.

Work each trio of defenders for a set number of attacks or a set length of time, and then discuss with them how it went. Make sure all the players have a go defending – don't let anyone hide!

Overload games can be cruel. They can expose players who have a poor tackle technique or who are not committed to every tackle. You will quickly discover, therefore, which players have a good mental approach to defence and can cope under pressure when physically and mentally fatigued.

You can then look for the players who still communicate and encourage team-mates at the end of their defensive stint. These are the players to use as the defensive role models for the rest of the team.