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Forum Newbie
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Last Login: 27/05/2010 00:07:05
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This season is my first as coach as a lower grade forwards coach for a Suburban Rugby Club in Sydney i.e. a senior more social than serious club.
I have been playing for the club for a few years and expereince has shown that as a club we struggle when playing teams that have players that play both Union and League , typically they play on Union on Saturdays and League on Sundays - not sure how they do it!
The issue is these teams are made up very strong runners, who are very strong in the tackle, who have great hands and play a very 'League' style of play i.e. the will take the tackle but will transfer the ball before they go to ground. Did I mention fit on top of that?
The net result being that the ball is moved quickly at close quarters at speed and there is very little chance to compete at the breakdown - even if just to slow the momentum.
I know the 'theroy' is tackle low, put them down and they will have to release the ball. But in reality, this is very hard to do, fitness, poor technique and probably fear (although no one admits to that) playing their part in negating this.
I don't expect there are any silver bullets here but I would be interested to hear if anyone has any thoughts on how to compete with this style of play?
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Forum Newbie
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Last Login: 26/10/2010 15:34:25
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I would suggest one "solution":
One would be to employ a blitz defense so that the ball never gets into the wide areas where offloads in the tackle can be disastrous for the defending team. Rather you employ the blitz so that the ball stays in the middle channels where there is plenty of defensive support. This wont necessarily stop the offloads etc but hopefully reduce their effectiveness and allow your team to compete at the break down.
For this to be effective you never want the ball going wider than the 13 channel so practice having someone come up very quickly opposite the 13 to block him off from a) receiving the ball or b) if he does receive from making a pass.
Your other defenders need to fill in the space around the ball carrier to tackle the supporting players. 6,7,8 and 9 have to be effective 'sweepers' to fill in behind the first line of defense.
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Forum Newbie
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Last Login: 27/05/2010 00:07:05
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thanks for the suggestion. Yeah agreed that is good idea, as it will at least confine the space that attackers can 'opperate' in and allow for the defenders to concentrate numbers in that area.
The point is I guess the only way to stop it is make sure;
- up and in defence
- make sure defenders hit runners as far behind the advanatage line as possible
- first up tackles are effective
- get the man down as quickly possible - might require two man tackles
- next arriving defenders automaticaly take up pillar and post positions in anticipation of off load
Whats the thinking on having the second arrival going for a rip or intercept - as a form of competition for the ball, since they typically don't go to ground and ruck or maul for that matter?
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Supreme Being
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Last Login: Yesterday @ 23:17:02
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[b]
Whats the thinking on having the second arrival going for a rip or intercept - as a form of competition for the ball, since they typically don't go to ground and ruck or maul for that matter?
Its a decent idea but I fear that if you follow your own suggestions AND this you potentially create confusion as you are trying to do two things at once e.g. tackle to ground with post and pillar AND attempt an intercept/challenge, or you over commit your self to the tackle area (tackler+post+pillar (x2?) + interceptor) you expose yourself elsewhere if the ball does get played away quickly.
didds
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Junior Member
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Last Login: 25/08/2011 19:28:44
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| If they're not forming a ruck, why set up pillar/post? Have those players advance instead. Remember there's no offsides at a tackle.
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