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RE: Seven a side Rugby

Matt — Thu, 12 Jul 2007 19:25:33 GMT

[quote][b]Nipper (12/07/2007)[/b][hr]Getting back to the roles that you listed for each position, I would want my hooker to be a good passer, and have a nice long pass, so he can throw in at the lineout, and come around and move the ball to the backline as well.
[/quote]

That's right, but only when your one prop is able to make the reliable lift without help from another player. I decided to leave three players in the lineout unit and, as a result I lost one player from backline, but get rid of mistakes in lineout. If player are skilled enough, your solution is undoubtedly better.

RE: Seven a side Rugby

Nipper — Thu, 12 Jul 2007 18:08:58 GMT

Getting back to the roles that you listed for each position, I would want my hooker to be a good passer, and have a nice long pass, so he can throw in at the lineout, and come around and move the ball to the backline as well.

For the sweeper, I would typically want my scrumhalf (or whomever is the quickest and best open-field tackler) back at sweeper. As someone else mentioned, the sweeper should be able to close down space quickly and limit a ball-carrier's options -- most of the time he doesn't even need to make the tackle if he closes down the options -- the ballcarrier will often be forced to pull back and link with his support, rather than go into a tackle isolated.

On the big stage, if you look at Fiji or NZ, the often use(d) Serevi, Ryder, or Orene Ai'i in this spot, for these purposes.

Any one else have any thoughts?

RE: Seven a side Rugby

Matt — Wed, 11 Jul 2007 22:43:18 GMT

From the topic about defensive systems:

[quote]Up & In ... here you have a slower backline, but big strong forwards ... you mark up OUTSIDE your man and drive them back into your killing zone where your big forwards can pound the hell out of them ...[/quote]

I'm going to study and try this one. I know it is a little bit crazy idea for this kind of rugby but my forwards aren't typical rugby 7 players. They are really big, strong and tackle very well. Having opponent ball carrier in the middle of field also reduce chances of simply missing my defenders by opponent (as my wingers aren't best sprinters).

System obviously need adaptation to 7 aside condition, but it really inspired me.

It's a good beginning to discussion about tactic in rugby 7 - Defensive and Attack systems.

Any experience ?

RE: Seven a side Rugby

cjp — Wed, 11 Jul 2007 17:12:22 GMT

In the thread about defensive systems Mike Stewart wrote:

"If you want to see how it is done properly just watch the IRB 7 aside competitions. I was in Adelaide over Easter 2007 watching the international 7s. I was fascinated by the defensive patterns employed and unless I am very much mistaken, nearly all sides employed the "up and out" techniques that you talk about.
It seems to me that 7 aside RU can bring out the best and worst in players - it can expose players' techniques, individual skills and team play. From what I witnessed, the "up and out" tactic forced the ball carrier out wide. The backs stood close together in defence thus exposing huge gaps out wide. To get to those gaps, the attacking side has to catch and pass very quickly and have fast runners and sometimes move sideways to get to those gaps. If they succeeded in getting through out wide, the role of the defensive full back (who was standing very, very deep) was not to commit to a tackle but rather to get the attacker to slow down (through changing his line of attack, stepping, kicking etc). When the attacker slowed down, the cover defence came through to effect the tackle. Naturally, if the full back got committed to the tackle, the cover defence was completely unable to get to the attacker. It is a game of military battlefield strategy - once you have got the opponent to commit his reserve (ie the fullback in this case), then you then control the opportunity to score points as the attacking side.

Naturally, this defensive technique requires: intelligence, fitness, rucking and teamwork. For the attacking side against this technique, it requires: speed, catch and pass skills, intelligence, rucking.

So there you go, I have seen "up and out" defence done. Perhaps the person to speak to is Glenn Ella who currently coaches the Aussie 7 aside. I am a personal fan of the up and out technique theory but I have not coached it. I would like to coach it next year in U15 rugby but first I will have to ensure the individual skills are up to scratch. I believe this technique in the end forces attackers to run sideways which only good sides can overcome. This technique also very quickly destroys a team's "will/on-field morale", which I happen to believe is the key to winning from a game plan perspective."

As Mike notes, 7s exposes players' techniques, sometimes cruelly. You could do a lot worse than ensuring that your players basic skills are of a very high standard. The basics being, passing, catching, running lines and tackling (one on one). A lot of drilling of these basics, focusing on correct technique first, then increasing the pressure under which the techniques are performed. Technique + pressure = Skill.

RE: Seven a side Rugby

Jonesy — Wed, 11 Jul 2007 16:03:55 GMT

I agree organisation and specialisation in sevens is of paramount importance.

Whilst you need to keep one eye on the opposition it is important not to loose focus on what works for your team, analyse your strengths and weaknesses individually and as a team and base your game plan around what suits you.

As you become more familiar with your opposition take time to analyse their gameplan and develop counter measures.

Jonesy

RE: Seven a side Rugby

Matt — Wed, 11 Jul 2007 14:17:13 GMT

Thanks Jonesy.

My purpose was to learn whether in your opinion positioning in rugby 7 is useful or not?

I observe my opponents style, and sometimes I see things that for me seems to be very strangely - for example in one match, they don't make any substitution but every time theirs scrum consist of different players :w00t:.

I think the only way to achieve success is deep specialization, even in a such simple game as seven a side rugby.

Do you agree with me ?

RE: Seven a side Rugby

Jonesy — Wed, 11 Jul 2007 13:44:30 GMT

Try this link. The pdf contains a lot of useful information which I am sure you will find useful

http://www.bandits-rugby.co.uk/pdf/coaching7s.pdf

Regards

Jonesy

Seven a side Rugby

Matt — Wed, 11 Jul 2007 10:18:45 GMT

First of all, it's my first post here, so I would like to say Hello! to everybody.

I haven't noticed anything about rugby 7 here, and I wonder if anybody is interested in this topic at all.

I set up a seven a side rugby club in my city in Poland. We've already made our debut in polish rugby 7 competition, and I wrote this post to learn something more about coaching rugby 7 from you and to to know your opinion about my ideas.

I know that most (all?) of members here, are concentrated at classic rugby, but I think that rugby 7 is good introduction for every coach and player.

My first question is about positioning in rugby 7. What is your look at this topic ?

I design something like that:

1 – Loosehead Prop:

tallest player
play furthest outside (on the left side)
is lift in lineout
quick and strong
main task – scoring points

2 – Hooker:

not as tall as the rest of scrum
reliable tackler
very strong
main task – regain ball

3 – Tighthead Prop:

responsible for winning scrum
plays in the center of field
cleans breakdowns/rucks
main task – regain ball

4 – Scrum Half:

most important player
“brain” of the team – makes decision
makes kicks and throws ball in lineout
main task – organizing play

5 – Fly half:

similar to SH, but stronger and more involved in attack
main task – organizing play, scoring points

6 – Center:

very strong, but faster than any forwards
good skilled in offload
well adjusted with winger
main task – ?

7 – Winger:

quickest on the field
high level of acceleration
main task – scoring points

Arrangement on the field:

Attack:

1 – 2 – 4 – 3 – 5 – 6 – 7

Defense:

2 – 4 – 3 – 5 – 6 – 7

Methinks more popular is solution in which Scrum Half play as sweeper, but I think this one is better.

What do you think about positioning in rugby 7?

In the next few days I will write next post with some questions and ideas linked with rugby 7.

I will be thankfully for any advice.

(sorry for my english ;) )