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Movements to Penetrate

The one constant in the game at all levels is having players crash up in the midfield to set a ruck.

Nowadays, with much more elaborate defensive strategies, crashing up is only useful if your team possesses bigger and stronger players than the opposition, and will wear them down in time. Otherwise there are a series of rucks which generally require more people to win the ball than defend against the attack and ultimately leads to a stalemate or the loss of possession.

In the last article we looked at patterns that were designed to clear a channel and get the penetrator in behind the defensive line.

In this article we will look at the simplicity of the penetrator shifting his line just before receipt of the ball so that he runs in to a space or at least on to the side of a defender which will generally mean that even if he is tackled he will be in behind the tackler and the team are going forward.

As an example A, B, C are set up as in a phase attack. A is the second receiver so is not too close to the cluster of defenders near the ruck. (or this could apply to A, B & C being closest to the ruck)

Think of some options:

  • A runs straight – B starts straight and then accelerates outward towards D3 – C accelerates outwards at the same time and receives a pass in the outside channel as he accelerates.
  • A runs at the inside shoulder of D1 – B runs at the inside shoulder of D2 – this will square the defenders up – C runs out the outside shoulder of D3 and at the last moment changes direction, accelerates and hits a ball between D2 & D3.

There could be two options with this pattern – (1) A passes to B who passes to C (2) A passes across B to C

A runs in a straight line at D1 – B runs straight and then accelerates on to a short ball between D1 & D2 – at the same time C has been running straight and accelerates inside D3 or outside D3 – A has the option of B on a short ball; C on an 'in' ball; or C on an 'out' ball.

These may be backs or forwards to carry these movements out.

The coach will determine the width and depth of the attackers based on skill levels. Obviously the less skill, the more time and space is required. The really important aspect is the 'timing' so that the penetrator is accelerating just as he receives the ball. Before that he has been scanning to pick a gap and understanding what is happening in front of him.

It is important that each player is a threat and they must carry these practices out against an opposition.

To make the movements successful the coach needs to ask some questions of each player. What does 'A' do to ensure he commits his defender but still has time to pass accurately?

Some ideas to try might include: standing flatter than B & C and passing slightly backwards / holding the ball in two hands and looking at the defender to catch his attention; then passing / making a quick goose-step or something similar before passing / changing his angle – running straight then in or out (which would require depth of receipt)

A must make sure he knows the particular movements of B & C so that he passes at the correct time, to the correct player and allows the receiver sufficient time and space to scan, accelerate, catch, look and decide.

What will make B & C effective?  Starting with sufficient depth that enables all the actions to take place / Not running the change of angles too early / changing pace as they change angle / drifting on the pass getting further away from the defender / lining up a hole to run in to and/ being in a position to fend 

Once the movements are established (and you might just use one pattern which has two options) then it will be important to set up live opposition. Add another attacker behind A, B & C so that it is not too simple for the defence. He can be a decoy but get the odd pass.

The aim for the coach is to not necessarily carry out the above patterned movements but to come up with a movement that the players are capable of carrying out and have had some input in piecing them together.

The coach might start with each player practicing a quick acceleration either 'in' or 'out' just as he is about to receive the ball. The more comfortable with this movement the more easily it will help the plays evolve.

The concept is to create shifts of direction that creates/forces a gap between two defenders. From there drive through and get in behind the defensive line and keep the attack going forward.

Give it a go.