Trick to break open your defence
This move works by playing on the natural instinct of defenders: the desire to make a "big hit" on the big runner.
The key is to trick the defender into making the tackle on a player who is not going to receive the ball. Instead, you work the ball into the gap left by the defender, so creating the space to release your quick winger through the defensive line.
- From a shortened lineout (with five or six players), put a big ball carrying forward (say your number 8) next to the fly half (10) where the inside centre (12) would normally stand. Shuffle out the rest of the backs.
- Have the blindside winger (11) lingering secretly in the back field somewhere behind the 10. It is very likely that the defence will be focusing on what's directly in front of them.
- The scrum half (9) clears the ball from the lineout to the 10, as the big runner (8) runs to take what looks like a crash ball.
- The opposition defence, including probably their own big forward, move towards your attacking line.
- When the two lines are quite close together, the attacking 10 passes behind 8 to 12 who is by now drifting out.
- At this stage the attacking forward is running an "unders" line, that is at an angle inside his opposite defender.
- The "big hit" is too tempting for the defensive big forward. He is lined up to tackle your 8, even though he doesn't have the ball.
- 12 steps out with the pass, passes back inside to the speedy 11, who finds the space to break through the line, with support from the outside centre (13) and full back (15).
- Remember that the pass from 10 should be late, looking like it might go to the big runner, so the "big hit" can take place.
When and where This move works best once your team has "softened" up the defence by running a big player into their midfield earlier in the game. The defenders will be braced for the potential charge.
It is best run from a lineout around the opposition 22m line, because defences tend to play a man-on-man defence closer to their own line.
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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