Kicking - Using the box kick.

The box kick has increased in popularity as an attacking weapon in recent years. One of the better exponents of it is Irelands Conor Murray. What sets Murray apart is his consistency. In the images below we can see how he has cleared his line with the ball landing in the 5m tram lines just over halfway. By having both these kicks so close to the sideline it gives the counter attack only one way to go. Since Ireland really back their chase line to stay connected they have not only cleared their line but applied pressure on the opposition. Also note this consistency applies to both sides of the field.

In the close images here we can see how Murray has consistency with the ball drop with both hands coming off the ball at the same time. He then finishes with his lead shoulder to the target area. He does this from both sides of the park and under pressure. Impressive stuff!

Setting a Trap.

In these images below I have highlighted how the use of the box kick has set a trap for Scotland. Firstly with the blind wing up in the line and the fullback deep, Murray has put up a contestable box kick, again targeting the 5m tram line just over halfway. Ireland get success from this kick. Around 7 minutes later from a similar part of the field and the Scottish winger is perhaps holding back in anticipation. The trap is triggered and Murray passes to his winger on the touchline who has open spaces to run into.

For more check out the video by Sam Cordingley on the Rugby Site. http://www.therugbysite.com

Comments

Options - Are they in your attack plan?

Options - Are they in your attack plan? Teams who want to develop their attacking game need to have multiple options in their attack plan. The complexity of your plan depends on your personnel and the level of the competition you are playing in. Many years ago the Wallabies ran a simple shape referred to as the ‘Aussie Box’ and it completely changed the way backlines attacked. ‘Aussie Box’ variations Since then many sides have gone on to develop similar shapes around their forwards. Today we see whole team attack shapes as a big part of the modern game. At the highest level these shapes are not only an orchestrated manoeuvre, they are specifically tailored to unlock the defence structures of the opposition. This is possible thanks to the advanced level of analysis used in professional rugby. Knowledge is power when it comes to designing attacking shapes. But the unpredictability of the game can also lead to unexpected chances. Opportunities ...

Bending the Line

Bending the Line Some time ago I worked with Backs Coach Andre Bell who would often speak of ‘bending the line’ with his attack. I was always intrigued by this but to be honest never had a full understanding of its use. With defence now often dominating the game, bending the line is being seen by more teams around the world and it has grown from being a simple ‘back door’ pass to one of many variations and options. Teams in the northern hemisphere are showing greater variation than us in the south who still look to carry hard and play off the back of that. Teams like Bristol and Northampton show a real willingness to test the defence at every opportunity. Teams that really rush up hard on defence cannot afford a slight disconnect in their line integrity and creative attacking sides are looking at doing just that by having ‘front door’ and ‘back door’ options but more importantly very active blindside wingers. Running lines and timing are key to success in these plays...

Missed tackles and their impact.

Missed tackles and their impact. Good tackle technique varies based on the physical attributes of the tackler, position on the field, carrying style of the attacker or even the time in a match. Team policy should include guidelines for these areas. However basic tackle technique comes down to a few key points, for example: Feet close Head up Wrap Squeeze Leg Drive Let’s look at ‘feet close.’ There are many buzz words and phrases that have been used in the past and when properly explained they help players to visualise the correct technique. A personal preference is not to refer to the feet at all and shift focus to ‘ chasing hands’ into the tackle. Understanding what this looks like is crucial. The term I use is ’T-Rex.’ It describes the positioning of the hands like the T-Rex dinosaur. It works well with younger players where we can say “ be a T-Rex not a Pterodactyl ” to illustrate keeping their arms in and up. ‘Chasing’ their hands means don’t extend ...

Ellis Rugby Skills and Drills

Search This Blog