Defence and Defensive Systems

An extra split second of pressure on the opposition can be the difference between success and failure. Rugby defence is not just about defensive systems. The best defensive teams enjoy defending. They are positive in defence and loud and accurate with their communication. So, does your rugby team see defence as a chore or as a great chance to win back the ball?

Tips and tactics to disrupt a maul - The maul is a potent attacking weapon. It saps the defence's energy and spirit, while giving attackers space and scoring opportunities. See the following tips for what can and can't be done.

Acceleration tips for defenders - Give your team a defensive boost with the techniques and skills used by sprinters.

Tackling technique tips to stop tries - The offload near the goal line is one of the key factors in many tries, says Paul Tyler. Use the following rugby coaching tips to improve your players' tackling skills and save tries.

Returning kicks - An aspect of the game that does not always get the same emphasis as tactical kicking and chasing.

Rugby drills to help defenders communicate - Communication skills in attack and defence are crucial. The principles are the same for both but these drills and tips are aimed at helping defenders communicate when they're under pressure.

Rugby tactics for kick off reception - The following rugby coaching tips look at the basic tactics and skills to improve the kick off reception.

Seven key factors to an intense defence - Getting your team working together in defence can pay big dividends over the course of the season. Use the following checklist to organise your players.

Overload attack game - Challenge your players' individual and unit defensive abilities with this fun rugby skills game.

How to position your full back in defence - With kicking being such a feature of the modern rugby game, the positioning of your full back in defence can be critical.

3 Man, Sweeper, Chain and Arc for 7s Defence - Colin Hillman, former Welsh Sevens coach, describes ways to set up your sevens defence.

Winning - The Stats that Matter - Let the statistics shape your season and your plans for every game.

An Aggressive Lineout Defence - Defending against the lineout maul remains a vital part of the game.

Unstoppable Tries - Can you plan for interceptions?

Mauling with the ELVs - The ELVs (experimental law variations) are experimental no more. One of the laws causing most controversy concerns the maul.

Scrummaging with the ELVs - The ELVs (experimental law variations) came into force on August 1st. You will have to adapt your coaching, or your team will struggle.

The Scrum Half and the ELVs - How scrum halves have to adapt their defensive duties at scrums under the ELVs (experimental law variations).

The ELVs and Lineouts - The ELVs have resulted in a number of changes to the lineout laws.

Kicking from Your 22 Under the ELVs - When the whistle blows in your next match you'd better be prepared.

Inside or Outside Shoulder Defence - An alternative to the J curve or inside shoulder defence.

3 Tips for Better Match Day Tackling - How to get new players tackling and experienced players tackling better.

New and Old Ways to Beat an Aggressive Defence - Tactics to put the defence on the back foot.

Turnover Ball - Making the most of the attacking opportunities and limiting the opposition's threat.

Le Crunch to Compete for Turnover Ball - The breakdown contest is a key part of the game. Getting your players to adopt the right stance to win these contests is crucial.

Five Defensive Lessons from 2008 Six Nations - Learn how Welsh Coach Shaun Edwards transformed his team's defence.

Aggressive Defence, Decisive Attack - How South Africa won the Rugby World Cup in 2007.

The Rabbit in the Blitz - Creating the pressure needed for a blitz defence by Jim Love.

Continuous Defence - A great Ford Academy training tip. Please search the site for more clips of coaching drills in action.

4 v 3 Moving Defenders - A great Ford Academy training tip. Please search the site for more clips of coaching drills in action.

Cleanout Demo - A great Ford Academy training tip. Please search the site for more clips of coaching drills in action.

Forward Charge - Defence as an attacking weapon at the ruck by Colin Ireland.

How to Coach a Spread Defence - A spread defence fills the pitch laterally. Its objective is to prevent the opposition from going around the defensive line.

Keeping Your Defensive Line Straight - Straight, straighter, straightest

Continuous Defence and Tackle Technique - A great Western Force Drill of the Week. Please search the site for more clips of coaching drills in action.

Preventing pest players stealing the ball - Strategies to derail "pest" players (the ones who always seem to steal the ball and stop your side producing quick and clean ball).

Support play options - Make support play more than just about chasing after the ball carrier. Colin Ireland has some rugby drills, skills and tips to highlight the many roles a player may take to support team mates more effectively.

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.

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.

Rugby coaching drills to improve aggressive tackling - This is an intensive tackling session that rugby coaches can use to improve a team's poor defensive performance. The rugby drills involved concentrate on three main types of tackle.

Drill to make the most of attacks close to the try line - When your players have the ball near the try line you want them to make the most of the position, to score over the line. Which is just what this drill session is all about. It's also a great way to teach your defenders about protecting the try line from the opposition.

Rugby drills for defending at the back of the scrum - With defences and attacks now set five metres back from the scrum, the need for a cohesive defensive strategy between your back row and scrum half is vital. Use the following rugby drills to work on these skills.

Lineout 3v3 rugby drill - To help you build better coordination in your lineout pods, try the following rugby training drill, working on attack and defence.

Two v one continuous rugby drill -
One of the staple drills for many rugby coaches is the "round-the-corner" drill, where two attackers run back to a cone each, turn and attack into a box as a defender runs in the opposite direction before turning to defend. But a more effective drill is suggested here to get attackers and defenders working on decision-making skills.

Rugby drill for jackknife control of the ball - The "jackknife" is a method of presenting the ball when tackled. It involves a fast, dynamic movement designed to get the ball back towards your own team and away from the defenders. The following rugby drill illustrates the move.

Rugby drill to coach head-on tackles - Coach players to make head-on tackles on players running straight at them with the help of these rugby drills and games. The key requirement for this type of tackle is to prevent the opponent breaking through the defensive line.

Rush defence rugby drill - So many teams think they know how the rush defence ("blitz") works and yet it is more than just a fast rush up. This rugby training drill session looks at one version of the system, with your players asked to make more than one decision about their defensive roles.

Rugby drills to open up defences - Often the most effective ways of creating space are the simplest. "Ins" and "outs" are two great ways to give your players a chance to open up even the tightest defences.

Rugby coaching session to develop an aggressive defence - An aggressive defence can often be the start of an attack. If your defenders hit quick and hit hard, they can catch an attacking team off-guard. The best way to do this is known as the blitz defence. Use the following rugby coaching session to show your players how.

Rugby coaching drill tips to build a defensive system - As a rugby coach you need a defensive system that you and your players are comfortable with. It needs to be simple to set up and run and must cover the two challenges of broken play, when there's no time to organise, and set pieces.

Rugby coaching tips for defenders' body positions - As well as coaching defensive tactics and plays with your team, players must also know how to shape up when facing big, powerful attackers. The players must be in a position where they can see what's happening in front of them and react to the situation. Here are three tips to help your players' body positions when they're in defence.

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