Using defence as an attacking weapon
How defence can be used as an attacking weapon at the ruck by Colin Ireland.
David Ellis, the national French RU Defence Coach, insists that defence is not just about stopping tries. It can also be used as an attacking weapon, providing everyone knows their role and gets into position quickly.
Five ways to "get in shape"
Your players need to know exactly what is expected of them in defence. Here are five key rugby coaching tips to remember.
1. The breakdown
The players closest to the breakdown are the most important. They set the offside line. If they are not in the right place, penalties will be given away and regularly.
They should set about six inches behind the back foot of the breakdown to give a clear line. There is then really no excuse for anyone being offside.
2. Positional sense
Encourage your bigger, often less mobile players to get closer to the breakdown and your faster players to move out wider.
Your scrum half (9) should defend behind the ruck. His role is to be in charge of organising the players into their positions.
3. Body positions
The players close to the ruck should have low body positions and be looking at the ball. They need to communicate to the rest of the defensive line when the ball is out and when they can move forward.
4. Scanning
The rest of the line should NOT be looking at the ball. They need to be looking at the player they are going to tackle. They need to communicate constantly with the players on either side of them.
Encourage your players also to point and shout at the player they are marking.
5. Communicate
Use a set number of calls that everyone knows. This will avoid any confusion.
For instance players could call "SET" when they are in position. Then "HOLD" while they are waiting for the opposition scrum half to touch the ball.
As soon as the ball is touched by the scrum half, the players closest to the ruck could call "UP" for the whole line to move forward.
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