Exeter - A Great Backs Move
A move for the opposition half, but not too close to their line.
"Exeter" is a move from my 50 Great Backs Moves manual. I first used it as a student back in 1987. It was in a game against The Royal Marines, who were based at Lymstone in Devon, England.
We ran "Exeter" from the halfway line and I was the lucky winger to receive the ball. I shot through the gap before lining up their full back. It was a simple 2 v 1 and our own full back happily accepted my easy scoring pass.
It was a move we played with some trepidation because the Marines are very hard - literally, muscles wise, very hard. They also had a couple of fine players, along with their monster-sized chests.
As willowy students, we were generally wary of getting too close to contact. Exeter is an attack move done on the edge of "disaster", however, adding something to the thrill of success.
Who does what?
- 10 passes immediately to 12 and then runs around behind 12 as if to take a loop pass.
- 12 takes a pass from 10, turns his back to the opposition, dummies to 10 on the loop, dummies to 13 on the switch, then passes to BW (the blindside winger) coming up on their outside shoulder.
- 13 waits until 10 has performed the dummy loop, then moves into a position to make a dummy switch with 12.
- BW waits until 10 and 13 have performed their dummy moves before taking a pop ball on 12's outside shoulder.
Common mistakes
- 13 and BW start their runs too early – 13 has to make the run look as convincing as possible.
- 12 does not perform the dummies realistically – the opposition must think that 10 and 13 are going to get the ball so there needs to be an element of over exaggeration.
Tactics
Best from:
- The opposition half, but not too close to the line because defences are likely to be up very quickly in this case.
Good if you have:
- A confident 12 who is happy with the ability of the players around him.
- A 12 who stands very flat so 10 does not have to run too far backwards. There's not much risk of losing the ball but 12 might need to take contact.
- A strong running BW who can get into the game in the middle of the field.
- An opposition midfield that is not likely to charge up in defence.
Think about:
- 15 and OW standing very wide to draw out defenders.
- Dummy runners making as much noise as possible.
- 12 standing still or at least not moving too far forward. The 12 is going to hold the ball for a long time so needs some space before the defence gets to them!
Click here to see "Exeter" and other moves in action.
My 50 Great Backs Moves manual shows you how to coach and replicate "Exeter" and 49 other moves, to bamboozle defences and score more tries. Click here to read more about the manual and to order it.