Decisions After the Tackle

Decisions after the Tackle

Much of the predictability of the current game is based around the tackle/ruck area where many teams search out the contact in an effort to physically out muscle the opposition, to put the kicker in a better position to clear the ball, and to manouvre the defence so that the attack can create mismatches.

Of course the defence have their own take on this and only very occasionally do they commit the same number of players to the tackle zone thus having a greater number of players on their feet than the attacking side and hence creating problems the longer the ruck process continues.

Having processed the first twenty minutes in a few televised games there are certain facts that emerge.
Quick ball on attack normally requires at least two more players than the defenders commit to the area and the ball carrier must do everything correctly so that he nor the ball are held up in any way.
If there is one more person on attack then the ball tends to be slower with the same applying if the number is the equal. However, if the number is the equal or less there is a greater likelihood of the attacking team losing the ball.

Of course if the tackler is dominant or gets his hands on the ball, or if the second defender is quicker in to the tackle than the first support player this will either slow things down or create a turnover situation. Teams who encouraged the double tackle scenario were far more successful in slowing ball down and in turning it over.

The same applies if the tackler goes forward at speed and either tackles the player low opening him up for the second man or drives him back creating an attacking situation for the defenders.

So, to be certain of keeping the ball the attack needs to firstly have a technically sound, thinking and aggressive ball carrier and at least two close support players to react according to how many defenders are available, and what their actions might be.

A question the coach needs to pose is, ‘What are we wanting to achieve by taking the ball in to contact at this point?’ The next question is, ‘What plans are in place for the ball carrier and/or the close support to the ball carrier to be a threat?’ Finally the coach needs to ask, ‘what is in place to create the go forward and continuity that will require the defence to group up in a certain area, hence leaving a space somewhere else?’

Of course there are no answers that are going to be right on every occasion but there are certain plans that will work better in certain situations and these need to be practiced with accuracy and intensity against an opposition.

As a basic example the coach might run through a plan along the following lines: the ball carrier has gone forward against a line of defenders, and has created a 3v1 ruck situation.

Question 1: What is the team trying to achieve at this point?  The attack is wanting to get directly in behind the ruck to force defenders to break the defensive line and head to the new tackle area.

Question 2: How does the attack create the necessary threat?  The first support player cleans out leaving the second arriving player to pick the ball and carry forward close to the tackle. He should stay on his feet as long as possible and be joined by another forward and then the player who cleaned out at the first ruck.

Question 3: How is the go forward and continuity created?  The initial go forward should have already occurred and this should have created a situation where the defenders have had to send more in to the tackle area hence creating fewer defenders out wider.
This is your key decision. It has been easy up until now. Where are the defenders most likely to be at this stage? Where therefore should you attack? How do you commit the defenders and keep them where they are so that they cannot make tackles where you are going to attack?

So, at question 3 the coach is really going through all the three questions again. This time though the tackle may well take place out in the open spaces and a number of different scenarios will arise.
For example, the ruck is probably only the third choice after a pass and/or a pop pass after the tackle. The concept of ‘keeping the ball’ could be overridden by the concept of ‘keep the ball moving’.

In the coaching aspects there are obviously the skill requirements at the tackle and keeping the ball which will form the basis of all you do.
Then there is the plan for how you are going to use the ball and within that plan you need to include your patterns which create the threats.
How do you set up an effective pick and go?
Which player do you pass to if there are choices?
Do you have a player bursting out of the pocket to create the momentum?
What plans do you have in midfield to change the angle (with the ball; without the ball), and change the pace?
How can you ensure you have sufficient players out wide once the ball gets there?
If you are expecting the first ball receiver to be a threat (maybe 10 or a forward) have you organized runners on his inside and outside?
The more you do, the more questions will arise. The art of coaching is recognizing what is missing, what is required and how to make it better.

Choose several different scenarios and make a plan for each one. Keep fine tuning the patterns and find out what is best for your team.
Make them fun. Make a plan so that there are no isolated runners. (That will happen often enough without your help!)
Have a plan so that if Plan 1 is not working you can use Plan 2.

The coaching philosophy you adhere to and the strengths of your team will determine the type of phase play the team is going to use. It is important that the coach recognizes that every player on the field needs to be involved in this aspect and has to be adept at a different number of skills, but most importantly he needs to believe in what it is that he is being asked to do. Build up the repertoire as the season progresses.

Remember, it is still a ‘passing-running’ game that most players want to play and most people want to watch so don’t overdo the contact for contacts sake.