Rugby coaching tips to build a coordinated attacking pattern

One-on-one, your players may use a change of pace or a sidestep to beat a defender. But when there are two or more attackers facing a similar number of defenders, a more coordinated attacking pattern is needed. Use these rugby coaching tips and plays to build moves that suit your team's strengths.

Identify a number of moves your team can use and use them to exploit a specific weakness in the opposition. For instance, you may have an advantage on the left wing with your number 11 faster than their 14. In which case, you might choose to use moves that get the ball out wide and to the left.

To break down a more organised defence, you may need to use a series of moves in combination to probe and pull the defence around. This is known as a "sequence".

Why use a sequence?

By calling a single sequence, with a number of pre-set plays rather than a series of calls for individual moves, all your players are forewarned about what they have to do and where they have to be.

You might, for example, have your inside centre (number 12) driving into contact in the first part of the sequence, but then arriving from deep to accelerate into space during the third part.

It might be that the first or second move of the sequence breaks down the defence. If not, your players must be prepared to run and support through successive sequences.

Practising and using moves

Before practising and using a move, you need to consider a few things.

In your rugby training drills

Practise only those moves that play to your players' and the team's strengths.
Know which moves work for you in different parts of the pitch and in different conditions.
Practise moves under pressure and against different types of defence, such as the drift and blitz, and against various mixes of backs and forwards in defence.
In case of injuries, make sure that many of your players can play the various parts of your best moves.

In match situations

Make sure all your players know who is calling the moves.
Consider the sort of defensive system (blitz, drift) your opponent is using.
Pick out their defensive weaknesses and the moves you can use to exploit these.
Make sure all you players know the "cancel" calls and the alternative moves you'll use if the initial play is compromised.

Running the Stretch sequence

The "Stretch" sequence keeps the ball moving from side-to-side across the pitch, spreading the defence. This either leave gaps wide out or in the midfield. It also may lead to speed mismatches, for instance, with a quick centre facing a slow prop in defence.

The move is best from

A set piece between the 22m lines.

Good if you have

Good passing players from 1 to 15.
A small, quick team who can avoid contact.
Players who can go forward in numbers in a narrow channel (in this case, the 15m channel) and who can pass the ball out wide.
Players with the composure to move the ball around to create the gaps, and the ability to recognise the opportunity when a gap opens up.

What players should do

10 uses a wide move from the set piece to shift the ball into the far 15m channel, where your nearest backs help create a quick ruck.
Either: Use simple wide moves to then shift the ball back to the other 15m channel, before repeating the sequence.
Or: Use a close move first, before getting the ball out wide again.
If and when gaps appear in the midfield defence, your players look to break the line.

rugby moves to coach players for a stretch sequence

Common mistakes

Your players keep spreading the ball across the pitch at the expense of going forward. It is sometimes worth using a short move to gain some go forward and tie-in more defenders, before spreading the ball wide again.
Players continuing to run through the sequence, rather than exploiting gaps in the defensive line when they open up.

Key rugby coaching tips:

Think about starting the sequence from slow ruck ball.
Think about kicking into the spaces behind the defence, particularly if the defence spreads itself across the pitch to cover your moves.