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Patterns 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 so 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.

It is all about brute force being used in place of simple plays designed to 'clear a channel' and thus allow the attack to get in behind the defensive line and create doubt and confusion within the defensive team.

So what I'm suggesting is that as a coach you devise some strategies that create a channel for your penetrator so that your team can get in behind the initial defensive line. From there it is 'all go' with lots of passing and support play.

The patterns established can be very simple, easily understood, and if practiced often enough, will work wonders for your attack.

As an example A, B, C & D 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.

Think of the options:

  • B & C run a scissors line / A passes across C to B running wide / D comes on the inside or outside of B      
  • B & C run a scissors line / A passes short to C / D runs off the shoulder of C                                                    
  • B & C run a scissors line / A passes to D coming in between C & B / A supports D by wrapping hard           
  • A passes to C across the front of  B /  B loops around C / D comes on the inside or outside of B

These four options can be named “1, 2, 3, 4” or whatever you decide. The important aspect is that they are practiced often with all players in the squad knowing the role in each position – A, B, C, or D.

These are not only for forwards to carry out who have set up in phase play but for backs and forwards. In fact, these patterns come from some old back play starters so they might be used in back attack as well.

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.

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

To make the patterns 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)

What will make the scissors lines 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 / B drifting on his pass getting further away from the defender / C lining up a hole to run in to and/or changing pace and direction as he receives the pass / being in a position to fend

What will provide the most effectiveness for the 'D' runner? Starting from a deeper position behind the front line / Running in balance before he chooses his spot / accelerating just on receipt of the ball / having an ability to change direction at the last moment / using a fend

What will make the play effective where 'A' passes directly to 'C'?  Being close to the tackle line / C running on a slight angle inwards on the inside shoulder of his defender /  C having sufficient time to pass to B on the loop / B accelerating and straightening when he receives the pass to create space for D / or B heading in to a hole and threatening the outside defender and laying off a pass at the last moment to D

The coach can work out the parts of the play that are going to make it effective through trial and error.

Another approach might be to set up an attack formation as above but with a passer inside 'A' and a defence that is lined up in the same manner (1 + 4 v 3 + 1). Ask the players to come up with a pattern that has 2 or 3 options that will create space and clear a channel.

See what they come up with.

The aim for the coach is to not necessarily carry out the above play but to come up with a pattern that the players are capable of carrying out and have had some input in piecing it together. The concept is to create a play that forces the defence to have to think about who they are going to tackle and cause sufficient confusion that will place the attacking runners in behind the initial defensive line.

Give it a go.