Support Play
"Where's the support?" I suspect this is the most shouted phrase in rugby. Many players don't really understand what support play is all about. It is, after all, more than just running on the shoulder of the ball carrier or pointing for a team mate to move into a space.
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The dangers of the offload move
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An offload is a ball that is passed after the ball carrier goes into the contact. Most commonly a player is tackled and, as they fall over, they "flip up" the ball to a player in support.
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Silent running rugby drill
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Use the following rugby coaching tips and drill to make support players work harder.
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Support play to speed up your attacks
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Paul Tyler looks at helping your support players make the best decision depending on what is in front of them.
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Drills focusing on depth principles
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If you've ever seen your players receiving the ball while standing still and being knocked back in the tackle, check out these tips and drills to solve the problem.
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Rugby drill to develop support players understanding
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A game-intelligent player knows why he makes the right decisions and so carries them out more often. The following rugby drills and coaching tips can help improve your support players' game intelligence.
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Two waves tactic
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The "two waves" tactic, where forwards run behind the backs to support an offload or break, is an ideal addition to the game plan of teams with strong offloading skills, a good support ethic, and which look to make half breaks through the defensive line... as well as for teams with slow forwards!
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Pod rugby coaching session
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In rugby coaching circles, the use of pods, that is small pre-defined groups of players, used to be the preserve of the top teams. However, you can utilise these groups or pods to help coach your rugby players to gain more structure and, crucially, know where they have to run and who they have to support.
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Rugby coaching London Irish video for the Jackal turnover
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This rugby coaching video clip shows a training drill from the London Irish, which involves two groups of six players continuously recreating the Jackal turnover and two-pass rule scenario.
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Rugby coaching London Irish video to improve support play skills
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This rugby coaching video clip from the London Irish shows a training game focusing on support play and improving the awareness of the support players.
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Support play rugby coaching drill
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A good support player reads the movements of the ball carrier to judge where to offer the best support. Use this rugby drill to encourage your players to do the same.