Back line alignments
Rearranging the set up of your backs at scrums can give you a distinct advantage over the opposition. Use these rugby coaching tips to help.
Standard alignment
Most teams use a similar approach to position their backs at scrums, as in the picture below.
Defences are used to defending against this alignment and so are not challenged until the move starts.
By being more innovative in your initial alignment, you can ask questions of the defence before you even start your move. This often leads to hesitation in the defence, which you can exploit. Here are two easy to set up options.
Two innovative alignments
1. Stacking the midfield
2. Two waves
Both of these alignments can be difficult to defend against and are excellent if your backs are quicker than the opposition.
In particular, the defence can only see some of the attackers clearly and will be unsure where the point of attack is going to be.
If the defence have set up in a narrow alignment to stop the potential of miss matches you can quickly move the ball wide with the back three players (as highlighted in both pictures) sweeping round.
If the defence is spread, then there are opportunities to create miss matches in the midfield with the back three supporting.
Your players can start to move as the ball is put into the scrum and get into position for the move. You also have excellent opportunities to overload the 10 and 12 channels and create overlap situations.
Be different
Trying different alignments keeps things fresh and exciting for your players and can cause all sorts of problems for your opposition's defence.
This article is taken from the Better Rugby Coaching e-newsletter. Click here to sign up and get free rugby drills and skills twice a week.
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