Ellis Rugby Skills and Drills

Space: the final frontier   The influence of rush defence in the modern game means the ability to identify space and react in time to exploit it is an essential part of the attacking game. With fifteen players in the opposition on a 100 x 70 metre field there must be space somewhere. According to a reliable source allowing 31 sqm for players and a ref leaves 6969 sqm of space and that is not including the in goal. When eight of these players are bunched in a lineout or scrum this opens up even more space. From set-piece situations the distance between the attack and the defence is greater. Why do we seldom take advantage of this? Is it fear? Are we afraid our skills are not good enough to get to space or do we just not see it? In phase play we need time to see the space as the positioning of the defence may vary and the availability of attacking players can change. In set-piece we have both time and space plus the knowledge of the defence and attack positioning. Fin...

Switch Attack Structure. There are many ways to generate attack patterns that switch from the first breakdown. This is a sample that I hope will generate discussion in your coaching group. Shapes such as this can be used in all areas of the field with the only variations occurring from the  first breakdown. An example could be a kick option from an exit play with the forwards on the blind offering a different shape. This pattern is from a full lineout but similar plays can be run from shortened versions. Understanding the target in the lineout is a good place to start. Labelling the jumping unit ‘employed’ can bring some role clarity. Appointing players to go to the first breakdown adds to this clarity with all other forwards classified as ‘unemployed’. While there are more specific roles and methods to assign them, I find this a simple and adaptable model. Team policies can come into place around the breakdown. Here I have gone with ball carrier plus 3 however some may ...