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Winger Attacking Outside First-Five

Backline attack must meet the fundamental requirement of creating indecision among the defensive line by placing them under sufficient pressure that they are not entirely sure who they should tackle, or they find themselves in a position where the tackle is a difficult one.

The key components to create indecision include:
The ball carrier ‘fixing’ the defender by running directly at the inside shoulder, then passing away from the defender.
Depending on the skill level of the group the closer the attackers can operate to the defensive line the more pressure they will create on the defenders.
The immediate players inside and outside the ball carrier being a threat so that the defenders need to keep an eye on them.
These players should be helping create a clear channel for the penetrator to burst in to.
Each backline player will have some role to being a ‘threat’ even if they are not near the ball carrier. Think about what they could be doing to help with a particular play.
The timing of the penetrators run, the changing of angles of the ball carrier, decoy or the penetrator, and the support play will all help create a successful play.

The building blocks to a successful backline are: handling skills, running skills and decision making. There are lots of activities to be found in the Coaching Toolbox which will help with these areas. Imagination and variations with the plan will go a long way towards a successful outcome.

Winger attacking outside 10
At every set piece and often at phase play the winger on the short side must be ready to join the attack.
Particularly at scrum and lineout taking up a position behind 10 will immediately place some doubt in the defenders’ minds.
The key then is for 10 to take the ball to the defensive line and create pressure for the first defender. If the ball is flat and quick it may well be the opposition first-five who is asked to make the tackle which leaves the defending 12 having to make a decision on whether to take the winger who is starting to come in to focus.
If the inside defending forward has time to get across and tackle 10 then the winger will be targeting the opposing first-five who will quite often be the weakest tackler or smallest player amongst the inside defensive group.
Hence, without doing too much on attack the defence are under pressure.
There are of course many variations to what plays can be developed using 10, 12 and the blindside winger as the three attackers.
As soon as the defence becomes confused on the insides the attack will either get in behind the defensive line or find space out wider with quick phase ball.

Make up some patterns and try them out. Don’t forget to coach the support and continuity aspects once the initial play has been fine-tuned.

10 takes the ball to the line threatening their opposite number with a direct run. The idea is to square their opposite up so they cannot drift out to defend. The flatter the ball is received the more likely this is to be successful. The attacking 10 needs to run at a good pace to commit the defender.
12 will go forward, catch their opposites eyes by talking and calling for the ball. They will then change pace and run on an outward line to drag 12D with them.
As this is happening 11 will pop up from behind 10 and hit a short pass at pace running into the space that has been created. 11 must be keeping an eye on 12D so they know if they have a clear space or 12D is holding their ground.
11 can still break the tackle if necessary or an alternative call can be made so that 10 passes across 11 to 12.
Communication and timing are the key aspects.

10 takes the ball forward. 12 runs on an ‘in’ angle at pace ready to receive a short ball.
10 can pass to 12 or pass behind 12 to 11 who straightens up, accelerates, and forces the gap between 12D and 13D.
13 must open up the space between 12D and 13 D by catching the attention of their opposite number. If their opposite number is not watching them they will hold their depth and call for a pass from 11. (as an option)

10 receives slightly deeper; runs forward in balance, then changes direction and pace heading towards 12D’s outside shoulder dragging them wider.
12 waits until 10 is ready to accelerate and runs a dummy switch aimed at 10D.
10 dummies, continues, and then passes an in-ball to 11.
The timing is crucial in this pattern so it will need to be practiced often against a defence.

10 passes to 12 and runs a wide loop line.
12 attacks their opposite number with a direct run.
11 runs behind 12 and comes up for a short pass on their outside shoulder.
10 has already gone and is calling for the pass as a dummy.
Think what you could add to this pattern.