Forgotten Basics

Even at the top level, the old guard have been critical that modern professional players spend too much time in the gym and are lacking in the basic skills.  I see this at the lower level as well, as coaches focus on systems, sequencing, and all the fancy tricks before ensuring the basics are perfect.  I reckon this is as misguided as it gets as you should be able to win rugby at the amateur level if your basics are superb.  Defences are not that well organised and tacklers not as effective at dominating and jackaling, so why not focus on ensuring your players are excellent at the following …

1. Hands up to receive a pass. Anyone who’s ever played basketball can tell you about how vital it is to make a target for the passer.  The same should be true of rugby.  Players not only need to run with hands up when a pass even might be forthcoming, to both be ready for it and provide a target, but they might also have them stretched out toward the passer so any transfer on can be made more quickly.  Which brings me to my next point …

2. Quick Hands. Too often you see a ball carrier butcher and easy over-lap situation by doing something so subtle as to take a step or two after catching the ball when it needed be moved on instantly.  That little step can waste vital time and allow defenders to re-adjust.  No one can out-pace a well passed ball.  One key element in this is the aforementioned ‘hands up’ aspect, but so is communication from supporting players and peripheral vision/awareness from the passer.  These are often best displayed when the player already knows his job is just to move it on and there’s no time wasted from catch to pass.  (Often getting smashed in the process, but if a try is scored from the quick transfer, then it’s worth it.)

3. Two hands on the ball. The above situation cannot be done without having two hands on the ball.  I’d argue that there are only two times in which a player need not have two hands on the ball – a) when faced with certain contact and needing to fend off the defender, and b) when one has broken away and needs full arm swing to sprint.  Two hands on the ball not only provides the ball carrier the ability to pass in any direction in an instant – which is hugely important in its own right – but it can also cause uncertainty on the part of the defender as a result of that.  Many a full back has been wrong footed, turned, and even sat on his backside by a ball carrier simply running with it in two hands.  With a full potential available to the ball carrier, the defender can only wait and that hesitation can cost him dearly.

4. Timing of the Pass.

a) Draw before passing… Often you see passers shovel the ball on (like so much manure) without bothering to fix the defender, who then slides out and continues to shepherd the ball toward the touchline.  By drawing a defender before making the pass, the ball carrier has preserved space for those outside him.

… or …

b) Pass early… In other cases, however, the attacking potential is out wide and all too often I see players who’ve been well drilled (in technique, but not regarding the situation) in the draw-and-pass kill an opportunity in space by delaying as such.  An early pass can serve two purposes to use space.  A long flat pass made early can take advantage of defenders lagging behind, which is especially noteworthy in a soft drift defence.  A quick, slightly deeper pass can set up an attacking player with good footwork – especially against a rushing defence – as defenders facing these players often rush out of line to close down the space.  This early pass not only gives the attacker more time to read the opposition and use the space in front of him to beat the defender, but if that defender rushes up too quickly, he’s created two massive holes on either side of him the ball carrier can put support runners into.

5. Attack the Space, Not the Man. We say this time and time again, but still players run straight at the defender – T-Boning, the Kiwis call it.  I think many people love the contact element of rugby most and like to think they can run people over.  Rarely does this occur.  There’s the classic: “Attack doors, not walls” but I think one of the best analogies I’ve heard to get players to focus their attack lines is: “Attack the branches of the tree, not the trunk.”  If the space is there, take it.  Simple.  There are times, though, when all attacking space does is invites two defenders to get you in a double tackle.  In these situations, players should think about attacking the shoulder of one defender with a sudden movement – or the branches, rather than his trunk.  This is my favourite attacking line as it provides so many advantages.  Done with a sudden power step to the side, you can throw the defender’s balance off and have a decent chance of beating him or at least getting the dominant position to offload or lay the ball back in the tackle.  With more space and a sudden attack of the outside player’s shoulder, you make him make the crucial decision – does he drop his man and cover you (allowing you to pass to the player he was supposed to be defending), or does he stay with his man and let you slide in behind?  Either way, someone should be getting behind their defensive line – all with a focused attack at ‘space.’

6. Quick Ball. One of the best terms I’ve heard in rugby of late is ‘meerkatting’.  I had to ask (probably a South African) what this meant, and it was described as the scrum half practice of standing behind his ruck, with ball available, looking for forwards to come and play slow ball.  Why?  Is it because you can’t do anything in space?  (Maybe they need to consider the aforementioned tactics!).  Quick ball for the attacking team should be the constant quest.  With defences being more focused and organised, why give them the time to do so when you could otherwise keep them dis-organised and constantly retreating?  For that reason alone, teams should constantly be looking to keep the ball alive, playing on their feet, and recycling it quickly when they go to ground.

7. Quick Tackles. Whatever the tackling style you choose, there’s no point in dancing about with the ball carrier as this only provides time for his support to arrive.  The best jackalers in the world (Smith, Pocock, O’Driscoll) are masters at the quick tackle in a variety of forms, ensuring they maintain the dominant position and bounce back to their feet so they can contest the ball.  Even if this doesn’t result in a steal, the attacking team will panic and/or pour in extra players to secure the ball, often spoiling their chances of using it quickly.