Scrum Attack

Scrum possession offers space for movement, alternative directions for attack, and a wide range of backline starting positions and passing options.

It can utilize both the speed of the ball and the speed of the man and has limitless opportunities for deception and surprise. Variations can be as many as your imagination allows.

Obviously it is vital that the team masters the basics of scrummaging firstly and then follows the ‘3 P’s – Position – Possession – Pace along with the principles of Support and Continuity.

The most important concepts to work from in piecing together your attack is to develop a spearhead attack with hard straight running, decoys and switches of play to create penetration, and support to gain a numerical advantage. Don’t limit this to just attack zones in the field of play as often the best opportunities arise when the opposition are least expecting them.

Scanning is the visual awareness of the game situation. Attackers must scan the opposition’s defensive formation and be alert to the advantages that are presented. This should dictate the direction of attack, the depth of the formation and the passing line. Keep making adjustments so as to adapt to the defensive line and scanning to look for space and for your support players.

Spearhead attack is about developing hard straight running for the clean break, emphasising the principle of ‘short and explode’. The speed and direction of the penetrator and his first support player will provide for success.  

Support is crucial for continuity as is the whole basis of linking up and penetrating. Get in to support positions of width and depth early and communicate your presence. In these instances the support player should track the player attempting to penetrate and be ready to receive a short pass as he bursts through close to the ball carrier.

Key plays can include switching, wrapping, an extra man, missing with a pass, and changes of direction, whilst individually a player may change his pace, change his direction, and change his depth and width to threaten a different defender from the one who is lining him up.

Tactical kicking should also be utilized and this is determined by the positioning of the opposing back three defenders and how a particular team defends at phase play. Depending where the defenders are positioned the ball should be kicked in to space so that your team can re-gather the ball before an opponent, or kicked high enough to compete for a 50/50 ball in the air.

The most obvious penetration channels are on the blindside or in the close channel inside the first defender (normally 10). The blindside is always a simple solution to getting over the advantage line whilst a fast spearhead attack in the close channel means that the defenders have to go backwards to their next ruck if indeed the tackle is made. The key to the attack is receiving the pass as flat as possible to gain the most advantage.

The halfback running fast and laterally to his right and straightening outside the first defender opens up all sorts of opportunities that coaches can explore. This should be staple diet stuff.

The blindside winger coming inside or outside 10 or 12 is about the ball carrier threatening before the spearhead attacker hits a hole.

10 and 12 can start on one side of the scrum and quickly burst close and to the other side with 12 being the initial receiver.

There are so many ideas they are almost limitless, but they all require:

Good scrum ball
o    Ball carrier running and threatening as flat as possible.
o    The penetrator acting as a spearhead either in an outside or inside hole gained via a play or an individual skill.
o    The continuity player bursting close to the shoulder.
o    The support players ensuring the ball is kept alive once the tackle line has been broken.

Get your team members to come up with some ideas. Depending on their age and ability they will be able to plan it through a couple or more phases. Just remember, the scrum is the best time to attack with the intention of breaking through and scoring. Rucks will occur but start in the mind set of getting through and continuing without slowing down.