Backs Move - Decoy & DSM

This backs move combines a decoy 'slice' pass with the DSM (dummy-switch, miss pass) to confuse the defence. The first decoy runner and dummy-switch should commit the inside players, keeping the defensive line narrow. The space out wide is then exploited with the miss pass.

Back Play - Attack From Scrum - Older Youth

It’s not a matter of going through a strike move repertoire. It is more about specific selection from the repertoire in order to attack identified targets according to the opposition and game situation
Attacking the space between the two teams is paramount and attacking the ball when running a support line will assist the offload and turn defenders

Back Play from Set Piece - Back Play Intro

Back Play from Set Piece - Back Play Intro

Lions 09 strike moves 4

Developing attack moves through the backs

Broncos 1 - Scramble defence - Tracking back

Use this exercise to replicate a line break with one defender to beat. The attackers need to move the defender and execute a 2 v 1 while the initial defender tracks back to stop the pass. Also works movement at top end speed for the main attacker

Back Play - Attack From Scrum - Younger Youth

To take advantage of the forwards being grouped and to utilize the space this provides, young players should be encouraged to develop their decision making from a non-prescriptive environment.
It’s not a matter of going through a strike move repertoire. Its a matter of attacking the space between the two teams and running support lines that will assist the ball carrier

Pull back Pass

A clever exercise that keeps the players involved and moving constantly with an emphasis on depth and accurate passing. Players need to concentrate, communicate and be accurate if the drill is to continue. Coaches can add width, more players or in this example another ball to increase difficulty

Back Play from Set Piece - Attack from Scrum

It’s not a matter of going through the strike move repertoire. It is about selecting appropriately from the repertoire according to the opposition and game situation.

Attacking the space between the two teams is paramount and attacking the ball when running support lines will assist the offload and turn defenders.

L2 - Half Back Development

Skill Practice Description • Each player is given a number. • From any tackle point or breakdown, as the attacking team is about to start another attack, the coach calls out a number and the defending player with that allocated number retires three paces before moving forward as the others step up. • This leaves a miss alignment in the defence line. • The fly half is required to notice the opportunity and attack the miss alignment and deliver the ball accordingly. • A progression is for the numbered player to step forward early, creating the opposite miss alignment. • If the forward player is the wing, then the fly half may chose to use a kick to get behind the defence. • The opportunity may appear on the short side and the fly half needs to be aware and communicate to the scrum half. • Now develop the decision making further by even numbers step up and odd numbers retire. Key Coaching Points • Scanning skills. • Attacking an opportunity offered by the defence alignment. • Decision making skills. • Appropriate passing (short, long, flat, deep etc. • Appropriate kicking (grubber through, chip over, cross kick etc.) • Look-Think -Do Process

Back Play - Attack From Line Out - Older Youth

To take advantage of the forwards being grouped and to utilize the space this provides, the appropriate strike call needs to be made and space attacked
It’s not a matter of going through the strike move repertoire. It is about specific selection from the repertoire in order to attack identified areas of the opposition and game situations

Attacking the space between the two teams is paramount and attacking the ball when running a support line will assist the offload and turn defenders

Lions Strike Moves 1

Developing attack plays through the backs

Lions 09 strike move 8

Developing play through the backs

Lions 09 Strike Moves 3

Developimg attack plays through the backs

Strike move from Lineout

RGS Guildford secure lineout ball and perform a 'circle' ball, with the fly-half looping around the centre who pops the ball back to him. This is to draw in defenders, to create space out wide. The winger is able to exploit this space to complete the try.

Lions 09 strike move 11

Developing back play in attack

Lions 09 strike moves 6

Developing attacking plays through the backs

Lions 09 strike move 5

Developing play in backs

Sevens - Turnovers and move the ball 4

From a turnover in contact the attackers pass the ball wide one way and then a deep wide pass back in the other direction to pull the defence out of shape and create an opportunity to attack. Key factors : Wide flat pass - Players support from depth - Deep wide pass - Running and swerving past the defender

Lions 09 Strike Moves 07

Developing attacking plays through the backs

Scotland New Lineout Move

Scotlands clever score from the line out v Ireland was a great example of coaches or players being innovative and looking at new ways to do things. This clip shows a few slightly different uses for placing your scrum half at the front of the line out. It is just ideas and about pushing the boundaries of the laws

Women's - Strike Moves 1

Women's - Strike Moves 1

Back To Back Pre Contact Wrestle

Players sit back to back, arms interlocked and knees bent. The coach says left or right. The players must battle to pull their partner to the floor on the said side.

Quins - Out The Back Pass

The deep "Out The Back" pass is a play that is becoming more popular with several options and progressions. In this clip players from Harlequins run through a simple practise to improve their accuracy

Back Play from Set Piece - Intro

Back Play from Set Piece - Intro

Back-to-back Wrestle

Players sit back-to-back and link arms. The coach calls either left or right, and the players try to get the corresponding shoulder to the ground; thus fighting against their partner. A great warm up before going into contact.

Warm-up Back to Back

Preparing players for contact coaches should introduce a range of fun exercises to warm up the major muscle groups. These can be competitive or based upon teamwork

Back Play from Set Piece - Mini Half Backs

Children should be encouraged to play in all playing positions. Rugby is a late specialist sport and the prop of today may be the scrum half of tomorrow.
If the coach constantly plays the strongest players at half back, this may restrict the development of other, later maturing players.

Back-to-back Wrestle

A good upper body warm-up to get players ready for contact. Can be used with all age groups.

Back Play from Set Piece - Attack from Line Out

To take advantage of the forwards being grouped and to utilize the space this provides, the appropriate strike call needs to be made and space attached.
Attacking the space between the two teams is paramount and attacking the ball when running support lines will assist the offload and turn defenders.

Men's - Strike Moves 4

A great axample of how to use effective passing and dummy runners to attack from scrums. Key factors ; Solid scrum - Accurate spin pass - Load calling from dummy runners - Different angles of running - Wide flat pass - Speed and swerve from the final player

Piggy Back Warm Up

One person in a strong squat position, other player in the piggy back position. Player on the back tries to work round the other players body to the start position without putting their feet on the floor.

Back Row Defence

Back Row Defence

Half Back Play - Under 13 and 14

A scrum half needs good vision, speed and awareness, quick hands and lightning reactions. The scrum half is the key link between the forwards and the back line. A good scrum half will know how to vary the play and take advantage of any opportunity that the opposition may offer
The fly half is the heart beat of the side and should be a key influence on the way the team plays the game. Almost every attack will go through the fly half, so they need to develop tactical awareness, accurate passing, kicking accuracy, vision, leadership and resilience

Men's - Turnover and move the ball 1

Men's - Turnover and move the ball

Men's - Strike Moves 3

Men's - Strike Moves 3

Pulling the pass back off left hand

Pulling the ball back off both hands is essential to being able to attack at pace

Back Row Attack Support

Back Row Attack Support

Warm Up - Lower Back

Various individual dynamic stretches for the lower back / core. Particularly important for injury prevention before a contact session.

Junior - Strike Moves 1

Junior - Strike Moves 1

Women's - Turnovers and move the ball 1

Women's - Turnovers and move the ball

Men's - Turnover and move the ball 4

Men's - Turnover and move the ball 4

3. Half Back Play Continued

A scrum half needs good vision, speed and awareness, quick hands and lightning reactions. The scrum half is the key link between the forwards and the back line. A good scrum half will know how to vary the play and take advantage of any opportunity that the opposition may offer
The fly half is the heart beat of the side and should be a key influence on the way the team plays the game. Almost every attack will go through the fly half, so they need to develop tactical awareness, accurate passing, kicking accuracy, vision, leadership and resilience

7-man - dummy at back then shift forward

If you can commit a lifting pod at the back of the lineout, it should leave uncontested space in the middle to win the ball.

1. Half Back Play

Watch the half backs and assess their effect on the game and the skills required to affect the game

Level 2 - Back Row Example Clip 1

Level 2 - Back Row Example Clip 1

2. Half Back Play

Watch the half backs and assess their effect on the game and the skills required to affect the game

Strike Move - Slice

A good 'go to' strike move for all players 1-15 to know. Passing the ball behind a decoy runner can commit and confuse defenders, hopefully creating holes to attack.

L2 Back Play - Exploiting Space

L2 Back Play - Exploiting Space

Squat Piggy Back

A good warm up for contact that also gets players thinking about their body position for tackling.

QBE - Half Back Development

Mike Catt - Attacking from Lineouts - Back Ball

Classroom session with Mike Catt - discussing the key points of attacking from a lineout

Men's - Turnover and move the ball 3

Lions 09 - tactical kicking - dropping back for kick-return

Positioning ready for the kick return is a systematic approach to countering pressure

Lions 09 backs defence 4 man on man

Lions 2009 defence clip

Lions 09 Backs support lines 3

Lions 2009 support drills, with a progression

L2 - Back Line Attack from Set Piece

Skill Practice Description • The objective of this game is to score from first phase. • The defence start on the try line and can only advance to the five metre line (gain line). • The attack must start from the 5 metre line if simulating a scrum and vary the starting points i.e. centre field. • If simulating a lineout start, use the 10 metre line to half way. • If the attack can score from the set piece they are awarded five points. • If they score after one phase they are awarded four points. • If they score after two phases they get awarded three points and so on. • If the attack fails to score after four phases they turn around and defend. • Kicking options may be introduced. • Five attacks each team. Key Coaching Points • Appropriate passing (short, long, flat, deep etc.) • Appropriate running lines; decoy / option / creating spaces / accelerating into space. • Support and reaction. • Look-Think -Do Process • Allow the players to self correct before intervention from the coach Relevance to the Game • Accuracy in decision making scanning and decoy / option running lines

Sevens - Turnovers and move the ball 2

A turnover from a strong tackle and quick "Jackle" where the defender uses the momentum of the attacking player to swimg up onto his feet and contest the ball, this results in a line break. Key factors : Tackle technique - Urgency to get up to feet - Core strength - Speed

Lateral passing & pulling back the pass from wide

Handling Progression for developing the ability to create depth from a flat line

Lions 09 strike moves 10

developing plays in attack

Full lineout practice - middle then back

Unopposed practice to develop calls and movement patterns

Sevens - Strike Moves 1

A simple but effective attack from a scrum. Three good passes provides the winger to run past his defender to score. Notice how the first reciever is directly behind the scrum and not to the side, (This makes the pass from the scrum easier when under pressure). Key factors : Position of 1st reciever - Run straigh and wide spin pass - Speed of the runner

Lions 09 - Strike Moves

The Lions drill for developing awareness of attack and defence options

Sevens - Strike Moves 2

Players can strike from any location on the pitch, in this clip the Red team relax thinking they have the attackers behind their own posts, however a strong scrum, good pass and great step create the gap to go through, the next 95 metres is all about speed and fitnes. Key factors : Space beetween attackers - Good pass - Side step - Speed - Stamina

Sevens - Turnovers and move the ball 3

Lions 09 backs support lines 2

Lions 2009 support and continuity work

QBE - Back Line Attack From Set Piece

Sevens - Turnovers and move the ball 1

7. Support - No Back Lift bench passes

Isolated technical practice

Courtesy of the SRU

Junior - Strike Moves 2

Lions 09 Backs defence 3

A clip with a progression on defensive systems from the 2009 Lions Tour

Men's - Turnover and move the ball 2

Strong defence and a turnover allows two quick passes, (One long pass), and then attack the defence. The two passes have changed the channel of attack by 30 metres.

Key factors : Tackle and stay on your feet - Long quick pass / spin pass - Communicate loudly - Support the ball carrier on his shoulder

Back Play from Set Piece - Mini U12

The coach should create an environment where young players are encouraged to experiment in order to develop decision making and vision. Children should experience all the playing positions and not be restricted to a position they may appear to be best suited at the time.

Men's - Strike Moves 1

Lions 09 Backs defence 2

A clip from the 2009 Lions

Pulling the pass back off both sides

A handling drill progression

Lions - Backs options from scrum

Lions 2009 clip on attacking options

Pulling the pass back

A handling drill progression

Men's - Strike Moves 2

Women's - Turnovers and move the ball 3

Women's - Turnovers and move the ball 2

Women's - Strike Moves 2

Touch rugby - roll ball back

A game for understanding

Lions 09 Backs defence 1

A clip from the 2009 on defence systems

Level 2 - Back Row Example Clip 2

Level 2 - Back Row Example Clip 3

Level 2 - Back Row Example Clip 4

Junior - Turnovers and move the ball

Half Back Play - Under 12

Children should experience all the playing positions and not be restricted to a position they may appear to be best suited at the time
The prop of today may be the scrum-half of tomorrow

L2 - Kicking Target Game

Skill Practice Description • Scan and make decisions. • Set up the kick that makes the win scenario by moving the opposition. • Hold and drop of the ball. • Head over the ball and weight forward to reduce scope for error. • Don’t lean back and open scope for error. • Contact with lace, point toe and straight follow through. • Leg speed to generate power. • Catch with hands ready and elbows close. • Keep eye on the ball and watch the ball into the catch. • Gather, scan and return kick accurately Relevance to the Game • This game develops scanning and tactical decisions. • Develops technical accuracy.

Line Speed Game

Use this great game to work on your team’s line speed and spacing. Reward the defence for moving the defence back and punish them for passive defence.

Did this Lineout win the World Cup

The black team split the lineout pods at the front and the back, the defence are then forced to move with these pods to compete or stop a driving maul, (As they are close to the try line), this creates a whole in the middle of the lineout which the black team exploit cleverely. This play is clever and tactical and shows how complex the lineout can be. Key factors : Lifting pods to move quickly - Strong jump - Accurate lifting - Accurate throw - Delayed run through the middle

Quins - Beating a Drift Defence

Some warm up exercises with varied catch & pass skills in preparation to move onto fixing defenders and how to beat a drift defence

Attack from short lineout

With the dummy lifting pod moving back, Filton College execute a short lineout to the front lifter. They attack wide before 're-winding' and using the overlap on the nearside to break through for a try.

Catch & Pass down channel

A core skill that needs constant development and practise Key Factors : Communicate loudly - Present a target with your hands - Run straight - Pass the ball across your body - Use wrists to keep the ball on a flat level - Move back ready to repeat

Turnover session - Competing for the ball

To ensure players consider the best options at the moment they win turnover ball.

The easy option may be to go straight back into contact, but this gives the opposition time to organise a defence.

Encourage players to move the ball away from contact and attack the space wide

L2 - Drop-off Touch

Skill Practice Description • The teams play touch with the ball being passed back through the legs when touched. • The defender/s who make the touch, turn (drop off) immediately and run to their own try line. • These drop off defenders need to realign with the defence as soon as possible. • The attack should seek to take advantage of the space created by the drop off defender/s. • To get maximum effort from the players, it is advised the pitch is not so long that players do not make the effort to realign in defence. • The coach may observe the attacking players moving the ball away from the space opportunity left by the drop off player. It may be that the defence close the space left by the drop off, however this will create space elsewhere. Can the attack find the appropriate space to utilise? Key Coaching Points • Speed in scanning and communicating the spatial opportunity. • Defensive effort to drop off a realign so the defence can cover the primary threat.

Minis Warm Up

Ben Mann from Northampton saints delivers a simple warm up that includes lots of movement and dynamic activities to increase blood flow in preparation for the main training session. Coaches can use lots of similar practises to keep children moving and engaged

Bear Crawl Touch

During pre-season, it's a great idea to keep training fun, but with emphasis on building fitness. Conditioned games are an excellent way to do this. In this game, defenders who make a touch must run back to their own try line and complete a bear crawl before rejoining the game. This gives opportunities to the attacking team.

Drop off touch - start with a game

Chris Kibble of Esher RFC & Whitgift school says to start your sessions with a game. In this clip Chris runs a game called "Drop touch" where the players run back to a line when they make a touch. This is good for fitness and creating wholes to attack

Skills at home - Quick hands game

"Quick hands" is a term used regularly in rugby and relates to a players ability to move the ball quickly. This fun exercise pressures one player to move two balls in different directions