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?

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.

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

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

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.

An aggressive lineout defence - Defending against the lineout maul remains a vital part of rugby coaching.

Inside or outside shoulder defence - An alternative to the J curve or inside shoulder defence.

Five defensive lessons from 2008 Six Nations - Learn how Welsh rugby coach, Shaun Edwards, transformed his team's defence.

The rabbit in the blitz rugby drill - Creating the pressure needed for a rugby blitz defence, by Jim Love.

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

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

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

Using defence as an attacking weapon - How defence can be used as an attacking weapon at the ruck by Colin Ireland.

Rugby tips for coaching a spread defence - A spread defence fills the pitch laterally. This rugby drill's objective is to prevent the opposition from going around the defensive line.

Keeping your defensive line straight - This rugby coaching session focuses on creating and maintaining a straight defensive line during the match.

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.

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 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.

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 defender 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 improve your players' body positions when they're in defence.

Holding the line rugby drill - The initial alignment of your defensive line determines the success of the defence. So, it is vital your players understand the importance of getting into the right positions. Use the following rugby coaching drill to help.

Rugby coaching line speed tips - Making sure all your players understand the need to move forward together and at the same speed will cut down the opposition's try scoring opportunities dramatically. Use these rugby coaching tips to help your team's alignment.

Rugby coaching tips to develop defender vision - Defenders need to know where and when to look up and look ahead to make sure they are covering all the opposition's attacking options. Use these rugby coaching tips to develop your defenders' vision and awareness skills.

Rugby coaching tips to get defenders communicating - Good communication glues together the other three main factors of defensive organisation: a straight line, good line speed and vision. Use these rugby coaching tips to help.

Rugby drill to get players defending against an overloaded attack - A determined few can stop many an attack. This rugby coaching session involves the whole squad and works on dealing with a large overload in attack.

Rugby coaching tips to get good feet for defence - Good defensive systems need organisation and communication, and quick line speed.

Rugby coaching London Irish video focusing on hustle and jam defence - This rugby coaching video clip shows a training exercise from the London Irish, which is designed to teach the hustle, ball and jam defence.

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