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Structuring Phase Play on the Run

Structuring Phase Play on the Run.

The previous two articles have provided some ideas on how to overcome the metronomic way the ball is being used from rucks with forwards hitting up time and time again, quite often resulting in the ball being turned over at the tackle. Hopefully some of you will have given these concepts a tryout and then developed them to suit your own team.

This third method is very much dependant on your team possessing a good TDM (Tactical Decision Maker) at 9 or 10 or preferably in both these positions. It will take a lot of practice time but if you have good intelligent players in these positions you should try this system as it has the flexibility to change from phase to phase as the team are on the ‘run’.

The basis of the plan is having the TDM calling the patterns from the third phase onwards, assuming that they are still required. This will bring more accuracy to what is happening as the game continues its course.
structure2The original call at the starter play will need to give directions as to the area of the field where the attack will be looking to get through and whether the sequence continues the same way or returns after the first ruck. This is the first two phases.

The original call might be: Johnny – Car – X.  This means the play will hit up in the middle of the field (Johnny) – continue the same direction (Car)  - and three support players will run off No 9 inside, outside and behind (‘ X ‘ is receiving off 9)

As you can see there will be a number of calls and names that dictate where the ball is going and where the support players need to be.

For example the patterns may be determined as:  A car name indicates going the same way / a truck name indicates a change of direction at the first ruck / a plane will indicate the pattern going wide from side to side. This will establish the first pattern in each players mind.

The support players will be guided to the correct part in the field with calls:  ‘X” indicates three runners are available to work off 9 / ‘Y’ indicates the three runners are positioning to work off the first receiver (normally 10) / ‘Z’ indicates the runners are required in midfield or wider.

Also included as a call at the tackle/ruck zone might be a call such as ‘Bullet’ for a pick and go or a default call if players are not available and the ball needs further recycling in close.

All of this will require an intelligent TDM who can look forward and make a quick plan on the run as he is calling out the direction of the play and where he wants his runners.

Besides this calling system the players need to be coached in the key aspects that bind the plan together. Firstly there is the reaction to what happens at the tackle so that variations besides the normal ruck take place. Coaching the pop pass, the pick and go and latching will ensure that the attack is getting in behind the tackle line for example.

It will also be important to coach the support play for the ‘X’, ‘Y’ and ‘Z’ runners so that they understand the changes of angles, depth and pace, and where they are starting from to gain the maximum benefit from their support roles. The coach may even wish to run certain patterns based on the ball carrier so that the runners are not just running in lateral and straight lines.

There it is. If you think this is for your team make a plan now and give it a go.