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The Psychological Edge

PLANNING & IMPLEMENTING: 1- The Psychological Edge. “ Physical Domination at the Tackle” - Ian Snook

The Psychological Edge

What is the major strength in your squad which if developed fully will give the team the greatest psychological edge in every game? You should work hard on making this aspect the focus for the team; something they know they are really good at, and if carried out properly will give a good chance of victory.

Ideally this will be based on a confrontational zone or it may be based on a tactical, speed and skill area. Once you decide what this aspect of play is going to be you need to establish the basic skill set and then develop it to a degree so that it creates pressure on opponents and provides attacking opportunities for yourself.

Physical Domination

If you believe this depicts the culture of your team then let them know, and plan accordingly. Start by discussing with the players what this actually means and ways in which they are going to achieve this aspect to their game. They must be able to visualize the ‘big hits’ on defence; counter rucking; players bursting on the shoulder to receive the short ball; and other aspects that they bring to your attention.

Once the team have a clear picture of what they want to achieve here you need to plan the necessary skill and tactical requirements and the mental processes which will click this part of the Game Plan in to action every week. Remember, this is now part of your 80/20 plan, so there needs to be time devoted to these practices at most training sessions.

The Tackle Zone

Decide what this means to your team. Examples could include: ‘the big hit’; the ‘blast defence at phase’; ‘winning the Corridor of Power’ at the ruck area; counter rucking; ‘blast defence’ at set play. Make your list but don’t have too many. Base it on the strengths of your team members in the first instance.

Then break down each aspect: what are the skill requirements? What are the team requirements within this aspect? When will it be most effective during a game? What is the follow up? In each case you are encouraging the team to turn defence into attacking opportunities.

snooky drill

If we look at one aspect; ‘Winning the Corridor of Power’, (the tackle area at the ruck) you need to ‘plant the seed’ on how important it is to dominate this aspect of the game. Making a metre in close is akin to making twenty-five metres on the flank. Each individual has a role to play; each player in the defensive screen must work together; and each player must know where the opposition are and where his team mate is inside him.

You build up your pattern to be used; outline each players role; then practice the technical aspects as a warm up to the main exercise.

Technical aspects: bent knees; elbows in; tall back for viewing; speed off the line; getting the leading foot in close; hitting with the shoulder; squeezing arms; driving legs; dominating the man and ball if possible; making sure he goes backwards or to the ground. Based on what the first tackler achieves the second defender will ‘finish off’ the ball carrier by securing the ball or helping with the drive.

These drills can be practiced in a small grid. Make up simple exercises which will achieve certain requirements: ‘Speed off the line’ – attacker has ball in front of him / he is 3metres away from a defender who is ‘ready’. Attacker picks the ball and goes left or right and as soon as he picks the ball the defender goes forward, steps in with the foot and drives in with the shoulder. Both players are trying to win the battle at getting over the gain line.You can coach technique as they do this drill. Have several grids operating. Introduce a second defender and outline his requirements and techniques. Later, introduce a second attacker as well.Remember, you are only trying to take ‘small steps’ so get the basic requirements in place first.

The next aspect is to run drills with the defenders arriving at a defensive ruck. They must know where they are expected to go, what the role is in each position, and how they work as a team. Keep reminding them about ‘speed off the line’ which you have been coaching. Start with making two handed touches on the attack you have set up, and later get in to some active tackling and running.

There are important aspects to keep reinforcing during this drill. Firstly they must all practice their scanning (TUB: Them – Us -Ball) as they are running in to position. The first player arriving after the tacklers have done their job will wrap and take up the position close to the ruck. All the other players must know where the opponents are so that they set up their line on the correct side of the ruck area, and they must know where the player is on their inside so that they get their spacing and alignment. Players should be looking to form the line as they are running to the tackle point and they can do this if they are scanning (TUB).

This will take a lot of practice and should eventually be set up in a drill with a series of defensive rucks one after the other. Start with small numbers on each team with the blindside out of bounds; then build the numbers and introduce more attacking options. As you are trying to get an explosive defensive screen, don’t have more attackers than defenders or your defence will start to drift. Coach them as you go; particularly the roles and the speed off the line. Make a list of important coaching statements: eg On the shortside; “ if they have one we have two; if they have two we have three”.

This is only one part of your team’s domination of the tackle zone, so get planning. Good skills.