RUGBY DRILLS

ATTACK SPACE

Space is opportunity - find it, take it, own it.

THE SESSION PHILOSOPHY

Go forward, it's that simple. Our goal is to train your brain to see space and your body to attack it ruthlessly. We're creating chaos that mirrors real match situations - but with rules that force good habits. Five-a-side, confined space, continuous action. This is where champions are forged.

Key Principles of Play

  • Identify Space: Train your players to scan the field constantly, reading defensive alignments, gaps, and mismatches. Emphasize pre-contact vision: "See the space before it's gone - eyes up, heads on a swivel."
  • Attack Space: Once identified, strike decisively. Instill an aggressive mindset: "Don't hesitate; commit fully. Attack the weak shoulder, exploit overlaps, and punch through with power and precision."
  • Use Depth to Identify and Attack: Leverage depth in your formations to create angles that reveal hidden spaces. Use it offensively to build momentum: "Run from depth to hit the line at full pace - explode through contact, draw defenders, and create chaos."
  • Exploit and Continue: When space is being attacked, maintain pressure without pause. Coach immediate support: "Follow the breakthrough - attack right behind the ball carrier or whip two quick, flat passes to shift wide and outflank the defense. Keep the ball alive; turn one opportunity into a try."
"Space doesn't wait for you to be ready - it appears and vanishes in a heartbeat. Your job is to train your eyes to find it, your legs to attack it, and your hands to keep it alive."

PITCH SET UP

SCORING ZONE A (5m Deep)
MAIN PLAYING AREA (20m)
SCORING ZONE B (5m Deep)
Dimensions: 40-45m wide (touchline to touchline) × 30m long (20m playing + 2×5m scoring zones)

Setup Details

  • Width: Full pitch width (touchline to touchline, approx 40-45m)
  • Length: 30m total (20m playing area + two 5m scoring zones)
  • Scoring Zones: Each 5m deep (dead-ball line to try line equivalent)
  • Boundaries: Use existing 5m lines as touchlines

Why This Setup?

Width forces lateral vision and passing decisions. Scoring zones mimic real try-scoring scenarios. Compact length creates intensity and quick transitions.

THE BASE GAME RULES

Team Structure

5v5 (adjust to 4v4 or 6v6 based on skill level/intensity needed)

Positions don't matter here - everyone learns to identify and attack space

Stoppage Rules

  1. Two-Handed Grab = Tackle
    Defender makes contact with both hands on ball carrier → tackle complete
  2. Defender Penalty:
    Post-tackle, defender takes a knee for 3 seconds (creates numerical advantage, simulates ruck arrival)
  3. Ball Carrier Options:
    • Quick Release: Pass immediately to support (preferred - rewards continuity)
    • Go to Ground: If isolated, present ball properly (chest down, ball back toward support)
  4. Offside Line:
    Defenders must retreat behind the tackled player before re-engaging (enforced strictly)

Scoring & Continuity

  • Score by grounding the ball in the scoring zone (both feet must be in the zone)
  • CRITICAL: When you score, keep the ball - immediately attack in the opposite direction
  • No stoppages, no celebrations - turn and hunt the opposite zone
  • Game runs for 6-8 minute blocks (high intensity, then rotate/analyze)

CONDITIONED PROGRESSIONS

Build complexity through multiple skill levels within single exercises

LEVEL 1: SPEED OF SUPPORT (FOUNDATION)

Condition: Tackled player MUST release ball within 2 seconds to nearest support runner.

Coaching Focus:

Attacking →

     [5] (BALL)  
    ↗   ↖
  [4]     [3]  ← Support runners tight to ball carrier
    ↘
     [2]  ← Trailing support

Defenders must take knee → Creates 5v4 for 3 seconds

What You'll See Go Wrong (and How to Fix It):

  • Players holding ball too long → "Your support isn't psychic - give it early!"
  • Support too deep or wide → "Flat line! Run onto the ball at pace!"

LEVEL 2: CLEAR THE BREAKDOWN

Condition: After tackle, at least one attacker must "clear out" (simulate rucking) before ball is played.

Coaching Focus:

Tackle occurs ↓

      D [1] (kneeling 3 sec)
         
     A [1] ← Ball carrier presents
    ⬇ (BALL)
     
   A [2] ← Support player 1: CLEARS over ball
   
   A [3] → Support player 2: RECEIVES and attacks
        ↗ 
   A [4]    A [5] ← Next support wave spreads wide

What You'll See Go Wrong:

  • Clearing player arrives but doesn't commit → "Half-efforts get turnovers. Drive!"
  • Second support delays → "You clear, I play - no thinking, just react!"

LEVEL 3: EXPLOIT THE NUMBERS

Condition: Defenders must run back to their own scoring zone after tackle before re-engaging.

Coaching Focus:

Tackle occurs at midfield ↓

  D D D ← Defenders sprint back to their zone (15m+ retreat)
  ⬇ ⬇ ⬇

A A A A A ← Attackers (5) exploit overload
  ↔ PASS WIDE ↔

Scoring Zone A: 
═══════════════════
    Try scored →

What You'll See Go Wrong:

  • Players run into each other → "Spread the field! Use the WIDTH!"
  • Forcing inside when space is outside → "Don't be a hero - draw and give!"

LEVEL 4: DEPTH TO ATTACK AT PACE

Condition: Attacking team must have at least two players starting 5m+ behind the ball carrier when ball is passed from breakdown.

Coaching Focus:

Breakdown (ball available):

     [9] (scrum-half picks)
      ↓ PASS
      
      [10] (receiving at depth, 5m back)
     ↗ (accelerates forward)
    
   D [1]  D [2]  ← Defenders forced to choose angles
    
  SPACE OPENS

What You'll See Go Wrong:

  • Players creeping flat → "Get BACK! Depth = speed!"
  • Receiving player static → "You're not a lamppost - run ONTO the ball!"

ADVANCED TACTICAL LAYERS

COMBINATION DRILL: "SCORE & TURN"

All conditions active simultaneously:

"This is test-match tempo. Chaos is your friend. See space? Two seconds to hit it. Process faster than the defense. Score, turn, score again. Make them chase ghosts."

Session Structure (8 minutes):

  • 0-3 min: Full intensity, coach observes patterns
  • 3-4 min: Active recovery (walk, shake out)
  • 4-8 min: Second block, coach intervenes mid-play with adjustments
  • 8-10 min: Debrief - players share what they saw

COACHING INTERVENTIONS

When They're Doing It RIGHT:

  • "YES! That's vision - you saw it before it happened!"
  • "Beautiful depth - that's a 10m gain because you ran from deep!"
  • "Support angle perfect - ball never stopped moving!"

When They're Struggling:

  • "STOP. Where was the space? Show me with your hand. Now do it again."
  • "You're all flat - get DEPTH or you're just making it easy for them!"
  • "Breakdown's a mess - who's clearing, who's playing? Decide!"

Adjustments on the Fly:

  • Too easy? → Defenders only kneel 1 second / Remove retreat condition
  • Too hard? → Allow 3 seconds for ball release / Reduce field width slightly
  • Players gassed? → Insert mandatory "walk phase" every 2 minutes

SESSION FLOW (60-MINUTE EXAMPLE)

Time Activity Focus
0-10 Dynamic warm-up + ball skills Handling under fatigue, communication
10-18 Level 1 (Speed of Support) Quick release, support angles
18-20 Water + coach brief Highlight 2-3 key observations
20-28 Level 2 (Clear Breakdown) Commitment to contact, ball security
28-30 Water + reset Adjust conditions if needed
30-40 Level 3 (Exploit Numbers) Width, passing decisions, finishing
40-42 Water + tactical talk "What spaces are you seeing?"
42-52 Level 4 or Combination Game realism, decision-making under pressure
52-60 Cool-down + team debrief What worked? What's next?

MEASURING SUCCESS

You'll Know It's Working When:

Red Flags to Fix Immediately:

"This drill is a mirror. It shows you who thinks like a rugby player and who's still learning. Space doesn't wait for you to be ready - it appears and vanishes in a heartbeat. Your job is to train your eyes to find it, your legs to attack it, and your hands to keep it alive."

Final Word

Remember: Every rep is a decision. Every decision is a habit. Drill the habits here, and Saturday's match becomes instinct.

Now get out there, work hard, and own the space.