Defensive rugby drill to combat attacks from wingers

Some teams are blessed with quick wingers. However, whether you have quick players or not, you should always make time to work out a defensive system to combat direct attacks from speedy wingers.

This rugby drill session concentrates on organisation and running lines in both attack and defence, and has a simple outcome that you can implement very quickly.

What you tell your players the drill is about

Using changes of pace and direction to beat a defender.
Keeping your options open when attacking a defender.
Making defenders decide early about which way to go.

What you tell your players to do

Slow down to make the defender think.
Stay balanced.
Watch the defender and see what he is going to do.
Change direction late.
Accelerate away from the defender.

Rugby drill tips

Set up players in 1 v 1 situations in a large area, with a defender standing about 20 metres away from an attacker.

drill session to get players using changes of pace and direction to beat a defender

The attacker picks up the ball and runs to score.
The defender runs towards the point where he expects to make the tackle.
The attacker slows down as he approaches the defender to draw him in.
At the point where the defender is committed to making the tackle, the attacker makes a decision about which way to go.
The attacker rounds the defender, accelerates away and straightens up to score.

Start by allowing the defender to tackle using a two-handed touch or a tag tackle, before building up to full contact.

Drill development

Add a second attacker. This gives the ball carrier a further option and creates more uncertainty for the defender.
Have the defender start from different positions.
Add a second defender and see if the ball carrier can beat two defenders on his own.

What to call out

"Run straight at the defender."
"Keep the ball in two hands."
"Eyes on the defender."
"Be decisive."

What to look out for

Players not sure what they are trying to do.
Attackers tucking the ball under one arm.
Attackers who don't change their pace.
Attackers becoming unbalanced as they change direction.

What to think about in this drill

Which players are going to use this skill most?
Where on the pitch should players be trying to beat defenders in one on one situations?
When is this skill going to be most effective?
Can your bigger slower players still achieve some success?
How do you defend against an attacker like this?

Putting the drill skills learnt into a game situation

Two teams of three play touch rugby in an area about 22 metres wide by 40 metres long.

The attacking team starts on their try line. The defending team starts at the halfway point of the pitch.

The attacking team has to beat the defenders by drawing away two of the defenders and creating the most likely one on one scenario.

If the ball carrier is tackled, they can pass the ball to a support player, otherwise the game is reset with the other team attacking.

Teams score three points for a try and one point for a successful defence.