Position Specific – Centre Three-quarter

A coach has much to do beyond a game plan if he is to provide guidance for each individual in his team. There is the physical development, which as the player gets older needs to be specific to the needs of the player, the technical knowledge, understanding and practical application of game aspects and the psychological skills that help develop confidence, concentration and attitudes beneficial to the game such as aggression and mental toughness.

In this article we will consider the technical and game understanding requirements for a centre. (Outside centre / centre three-quarter)

When you are selecting and then coaching your centre in isolation he will need to be evaluated on certain aspects of play.

We will look at Conrad Smith from the All Blacks at the World Cup and Tevita Kuridrani from Australia. Smith played for 364 minutes and Kuridrani 487 minutes, almost a game and a half more than Smith.

What immediately stands out here is the two different types of players that can fill this position depending on what is available to your team, what other players are available and the tactics that you would be using.

For example when we look at the stats Smith was a far more tactical player with many more passes and kicks in open play whilst Kuridrani was the big physical ball carrier.

Of course Smith complemented Ma’a Nonu's size and power in the All Blacks and Kuridrani complemented the more tactical play of Giteau in the Australian line-up. Although in different positions the two players on each side gave the team the balance required in the middle of the backline.

Smith made a lot more passes (46-10), more offloads (4-2) and made more open play kicks (5-2) which suggests he is about continuity, good decision making and staying involved, whilst the power and hard straight running of Kuridrani was his main weapon. He had more ball carries (36-29); made more metres (200-136); more clean breaks (6-3); and beat more defenders (9-6). Kuridrani also dotted down for three tries as against Smith not scoring at all in this tournament.

As a club or school coach you may not have too many choices but if you do have a Smith and a Kuridrani you must work out how to best utilise these players to the benefit of your team. Do you want the more tactically aware player at 12 or 13? If you have strength at fullback and the wings which player will be of the most assistance at 13? If you are forward orientated which player is best closest to the pack?

Defensively centre is a far tougher gig than second-five as it requires far more thinking and making good decisions. 12 is tucked in between two defenders and can work more easily with his inside man generally making the tackle on the player coming in to his channel.

The centre quite often has to 'read' what the attack are carrying out before deciding on whether to 'tackle in', work on the shoulder of 12, or hold and drift to cover an outside man whilst the 12 covers the inside space.

He is also often responsible for organising the team defence at phase play, calling the troops in to their defensive alignment and coordinating the defensive line.

Interestingly Smith made less tackles in his lesser game time but his % was 96.7 as against Kuridrani who tackled at 83.6%. This is huge at this level and suggests Kuridrani was occasionally confused as to whom to tackle and was hesitant out wide. Centre and wings are no doubt the hardest positions in which to defend because more often than not there are decisions to be made on whom to tackle.

Setting up situations in mini games with the centre and wing having to make decisions is a great activity.

A check list for your centre could include some or all of the following:

• Does he put himself in good positions to receive the ball? Does he start wide and come in or can he start close and drift wide? Does he hold his position so that he receives the ball with time and space to look and act?
• Can he pass both ways? Short and long? Under pressure? In the tackle?
• Can he run directly at the opponent, carrying the ball in two hands, looking forward to threaten the defender and hold the defensive line and scanning so that he is aware of where his support players are positioned?
• Does he change something – inside step and thrust before setting a ruck or preparing for a pop pass or inside ball / outside step and accelerate to force the gap and create confusion for the outside defender. Being able to accelerate through the gap or make a quick outside pass as the outside defender is held. Continuity passing if he is tackled or setting a ruck if the defence has been successful and the area is congested. Is he able to stay on his feet and hold the ball up momentarily if he is isolated?
• Does he create attacking opportunities for those around him?  How? Why not (if that is the case)? Is he capable of delivering the killer blow when it is on?
• Support play – how many touches after he has passed? Is he scanning and looking for the best spot? Does he work hard to find this spot on the field?
• Does he 'change' the pace-width-angle with his support play? Does the ball stay alive once he is in possession?
• Defensively is he making good decisions on who to tackle? Is he working to the team plan? Does he work in coordination with his 12 and wing? Is he technically adept and carrying through with the tackle placing the ball and the man under pressure by getting to his feet and doing the correct thing?Does he communicate well and help organise the phase defence? Is he scanning the opposition and making good calls?  Can he act like another loose forward in the tackle area?

PERSONAL STRENGTHS: The coach needs to discover what his player is really good at that if developed will give him a skill that places him in a different category than his opposite.  Can your player step and fend for example? If so practice those skills. Is he particularly quick over a short distance where he can hold a defender with his stepping then pass and wrap and accelerate? Try it out.

Is he a big tackler? Then maybe devise a pattern where 13 comes from inside-out and smashes the opposition 12 as he catches the ball. Move him in closer on defence as an attacking defender.
There must be something.

A check list could be drawn up by taking a topic and researching the requirements on The Coaching Toolbox. There is a season’s work here. Start simple and keep revisiting and developing the aspect of play not only over the season but in the following seasons.

This is just a summary of what a centre three-quarter needs to develop to improve. You must research each skill by viewing it on television, a video, reading and researching the detail, or talking to an appropriate person. Preferably doing all of these would be the ideal.

Good luck.