Rugby moves to create a system for attack

Players need to know what sequence of different moves are being run. This makes it easier to run the right support lines and break down defences over a series of phases. This advanced skills rugby coaching session runs a sequence of plays to attack close to the initial point of contact then wide out.

What you tell your players this rugby coaching session is about

Creating a system for attack: quick short passing, quick rucking and then passing wide.
Drawing in a close defence, then attacking wide by using all the players in the line.

What you tell your players to do

Give and take quick passes without closing down the space between the attack and defensive line. Then release a player wide out into space.
Realign deeper for the second attack, with the fly half being the first receiver.
The first player into the contact area turns towards the support to allow quick release.
The scrum half needs to clear the ball from the ruck as soon as he arrives.

What you get your players to do

As picture 1 below, put a scrum half with a ball and a forward together and then spread out a back line, but only a few metres apart. The ball is passed out and along the line to the furthest back who runs and falls at a set of cones (A and B).

Picture 1 – Quick passes to set up a ruck
Pass the ball out quickly with short passes to a player to runs to cones A and B.

As picture 2 below, the forward recycles the ball and it is passed out quickly to the backs again so the final pass is in line with a pair of cones (C and D) for the final back to run through.

Picture 2– Quick ruck, then wide
Recycle the ball and use longer passes to the end player who goes between cones C and D.

What to call out

"Hands up and hips towards ball carrier."
"Don't spin pass short passes – pass in front, pull the receiver onto the ball."
"Don't take the pass into the body – release the arms and pass across the chest."
"Use all the players to help interest the defence."

Development

Pass left then left from each phase. Then try right then right. Then try switching directions e.g. short left, wide right.
Add defenders, three players initially. One makes the tackle at cones A and B and the other two run around to prevent the attack at C and D.
Adjust the distances between the two sets of cones, for closer initial attacks and wider secondary attacks.

Game situation

A team, starting on the edge of the right channel, attacks into the right-hand channel from a mini set piece (e.g. a scrum), using four quick passes.

If they recycle the ball quickly, they must spread the ball into the far left hand channel to score.

If the ball is slow, they attack back from where they came and start the process again.

Attacking close then wide
Attack within a 20m channel and move the ball wide to the far 20m channel with long passes.

What to think about

Are your players starting their runs too early? They should wait for previous player to move.
How far should each set of passers be from the tackle line – flatter or deeper? It depends on the skills of your team and how wide you want to pass the ball.
They should stand deeper for more width. If players are realigning too flat from the second phase, use cones as starting points to make them run from deeper.
Should the player who last passed the ball be the first player into the contact situation? Normally yes, but you do need to keep most of the backs out of rucks if you want to attack wide again quickly.