Support play to speed up your attacks

Paul Tyler looks at helping your support players make the best decision depending on what is in front of them.

When the ball carrier gets tackled to the ground, the support player is faced with key decisions - play the ball or form a ruck.

The support player needs to be close to the ball carrier before and during contact, offering physical support without overrunning the ball. He should communicate helpfully, where he is and what he wants the ball carrier to do. For instance, "stay on your feet", or "go to ground".

If the ball carrier cannot pass the ball away, once tackled to the ground he must place the ball as far back as he can towards his team, to give the support player options.

Option 1: pick and run

If there are no defenders nearby, the support player should pick up the ball and run straight.

Option 2: pick and pass

If there are defenders close by, the support player should pick up the ball and pass.

Option 3: ruck

If there are defenders so close by that the support player does not have the time to play the ball, he should form a quick ruck

Pick and run session

The ball carrier goes to ground as if tackled and places the ball back. The first support player picks up the ball in a low position and passes to the second support player. This player takes the ball on for a few metres, then goes to ground so the exercise can be repeated.

Decision making session

Involve a defender in the above exercise, placed either 3 or 5 metres from the "tackle". If the defender is close, the support player should make the decision to pick and pass. If the defender is further away, the support player should make the decision to pick and run. You can vary the defender's position and the pace they move forward to increase the pressure.

You can develop this exercise further to practise quick ruck ball, by getting the defender closer to the ball carrier so the support player doesn't have time to play the ball.

Developing a quick ruck

When developing a ruck, the support player must tell the ball carrier they're going to form a ruck and then when to go to ground. After the ball carrier goes to ground, the support player should target and clear away the closest defender, with the intention of leaving the ball clear for the next support player.

As the attacking team you should commit as few players as possible to the ruck to win the ball. This gives you more options for the next attack.

Worst case scenario

You should drill your players to see slow ruck ball as a failure in attack, because it usually means the support players were too far away, or that the ball carrier was isolated or fell in a bad position.

Key points to slow ruck ball

It is difficult to attack from a slow ruck since the defence has time to get organised.
It doesn't matter if the ball then gets slower! So take your time and get organised for the next phase.
Don't commit even more players to the ruck. Instead make sure your players are ready to win the ball at the next phase.
Have a plan to create quicker ball at the next phase and then execute it.

Paul Tyler is joint editor of Rugby Coach Junior, my unique, weekly advice sheet for coaches of players aged under 15. Click here to read more about it and to take out an 8 issue trial for just 97p.