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The Cut Out Pass

In the NZ Rugby Manual 'Developing Rugby Coaches' there is a section on 'Handling' with a sub- section looking at the 'Cut Out Pass'.

If used in set play or phase play it allows the attack to play reasonably flat with the penetrating player running from slightly deeper and drifting inside their opponent or outside their opponent before receiving the ball and accelerate in to a space.

This should only be used if the defence is tight on the ball carrier and they have scanned to see that there is greater space out wide. In a set play it may come from 10 hitting 13 or 15 or even the wing, dependent upon the defensive structure.

In phase play the first or second receiver might miss one or two players in much the same way. These can be planned and practiced or played as the opportunity arises.

It is helpful if the players in the wide positions relay the message through to the inside ball players that the defensive line is thin where they are positioned.

One of the worst features of play at any level is the number of times the cut out pass is used before the defenders are committed on the inside which allows the defence to drift across and cover the receiver. What was possibly a 4 v 3 quickly becomes a 1 v 3. Make sure the team are able to seize upon the right times when to use this pass.

Creating a pattern that can be utilised as a starter or in phase is fairly simple. The important aspect is each player doing his role correctly.

“Cut 3”:  9 passes to 10 / 10 passes to 12 / 12 passes in front of 13 who has run forward ready to take a pass and the ball is receive by 15 / 15 either heads through a space or if they have a defender in front of them they will target the outside shoulder and pass to 11 / 11 will have space or a passing option to 14 / 14 should also be working before they receive the ball to change their angle to hit a ball going inwards or on a wider drift.

“Cut 35”:  Same pattern with 12 hitting 11 in front of 13 and 15. This is useful from set play but may be harder to set up at phase play. Not impossible though if it is practiced often enough.

From the NZ Rugby Coaching Manual – Developing Rugby Coaches

Cut Out Pass
Objective
To transfer the ball past a decoy player to another teammate. in order to destabilise the defensive screen.

Key Factors
• Long, flat and quick pass.
• Aim through the decoy’s hands.
• Missed player puts hands out and appears to catch the ball to ensure his defender stays marking him.
• Pass in front of the receiver.
• The spiral pass is a good option.

Coaching Points
• Use basic passing skills or a spiral pass.
• The decoy runner must be in a position to receive the pass or this won’t distract the defenders.
• The receiver should be running onto the ball from depth and accelerating once he catches the ball and has moved in to the space he is going to run in to.

Common Errors
• Passing player not focusing on a target.
• No follow-through with the arms and fingers after the pass.
• Ball propelled on incorrect plane. Too high; too low; not in front.
• Decoy not effective.
• Drifting with the pass which allows the defender/s to drift off early and cover the ball receiver.
• Using the cut out pass when it should 'go through the hands'.