A back row move from an attacking scrum in their half, to exploit the "inside space" created by the ELVs.
The move is best from
A scrum in the opposition's half. You must have room to go right.
A situation where you want to set up second phase ball behind the opposition scrum, so their defence is tracking backwards, causing disruption in their running lines.
Why the move works
8 draws out the back row defence, leaving a gap beside the scrum. If 8 runs quickly and wide enough, the back row defenders will be out of position allowing a free run for 7 from the right side of the scrum.
The move is good if you have
A quick 8 off the base of a scrum, with good handling skills.
Already had your 8 run a move from the back of the scrum.
A strong running 7 you want to get into the game.
A scrum which can wheel slightly so the tighthead side gets ahead of the loosehead.
What the players should do
8 gets the ball onto his right foot. He picks and goes to the right, angling away from the scrum. Once past the gain line, he commits the opposition back row and then passes the ball back inside to 7.
7 waits until 8 gets past him, before disengaging and receiving a pass on 8's inside shoulder.
Common mistakes
8 delays the disengage.
8 runs too tight to the scrum or too laterally. He needs to go forward and create space.
Think about
7 passing to 6 who has run around from the left side of the scrum. In which case 8 and 7 need to pass well before contact, otherwise 6 has little chance of taking the ball cleanly.
Players now have to be 5 metres back from the hindmost feet of the scrum. This has two main consequences. First, space is created on the inside of the fly half (10). Second, your back row moves need adjustment.
1. Inside space
The extra space from the back of scrums means there is more time for backs moves. It is likely that most defences will "drift" from scrums to cover the opportunities to move the ball wide.
The drift will leave a potential dogleg in defence. The defending openside flanker is at least 7 metres in front of his 10. As a coach you have to think both how to defend this dogleg and, offensively, how to exploit this gap.
Defence from the scrum
First decide how to plug the defensive gap inside the 10.
You could use an "up" and then drift defence, where the openside flanker does not close down the space so quickly, but allows the back line to catch up with him. So the back line moves up 5 metres and then drifts out.
Your scrum half (9) could cover the openside. From a scrum on the right side of the field, he would go round the other side and keep close to the back foot.
On the left side, he could pressurise the attacking 9 with a view to running out into the midfield.
Your openside flanker runs across and then out, to cover the opposition 10, and your number 8 fills the gap inside. Your openside lock forward should be aware that he needs to get up from the scrum and then hold his ground.
All these defences are relatively passive, allowing the attack some time and space.
As with any defensive system, the back line should vary the types of defence it runs to keep the attacking team guessing. A couple of passive alignments should be followed by an aggressive system.
Perhaps the team can risk leaving the inside channel less well defended, with the number 8 aware that he might have to cover to cut down the possibility of a wide move.
Attack from the scrum
The defensive problems highlight the attacking opportunities. The "inside seam" of space next to the defending 10 can be exploited with blindside winger moves or switch plays.
Mix these with wide moves and the defence is likely to be stretched trying to cover all the possibilities.
2. Back row moves rethink
Most back row moves aim to attack the space to the sides of the scrum.
With more space outside the sides of the scrum, there is a strong case to aim a little wider than normal. With a stable scrum and perhaps a friendly wheel, your number 8 could aim wider with the pick and go.
However there is an equally strong case for your number 8 to pick and pass to your 9, so he can attack the 5 metre gap between the back of the scrum and their 10, with the flanker in close support.
Another area to explore is the back row breaking with the scrum half before feeding the backs. This will draw in the opposition 10, creating spaces further out.
The ELVs introduced an offside line five metres behind the hindmost feet of the scrum. Here's a recap of the technical and tactical impact of these on the game.
1. Technical change
A good disruptive scrum can reduce the 5 metre advantage, so scrummaging in defence is important. A slight wheel towards the attacking angle needs practising.
2. Tactical changes
The tackle line
This is now closer to the gain line if not over it, which has implications for the running lines of the back row and the pack from a scrum.
The first attacking pack players now have better forward momentum at the first ruck, perhaps allowing quicker ruck ball. This can mean a faster second phase move, so the backs have to realign quicker than before.
Attack - back row moves
Close to the scrum back row moves retain their relevance in terms of tying in the opposition pack. However the extra space means your number 8 (eightman) has more options to attack the space in front of the opposition fly half (10).
Other players can feed off your 8 (or 9, the "scrum half") if he picks and goes, because the opposing flanker will be pulled out of position to cover the attack. (In defence, it is likely that the flanker will cover wide and the number 8 will fill in next to the scrum.)
Attack - backs moves
From scrums, the attacking team has more time and space to move the ball wider, thus reducing the chance that the opposition will block the move at outside centre (13).
The defence either has to drift or go up and out. On a drift there will a gap inside the fly half, with the up and out there will be space outside the 13 or winger.
Defence
How do your back line and back row defend from scrums?
Your flanker is now about 7 metres in front of your 10, not 2 metres as before. This causes a bigger dogleg in the defensive line in the area where the flanker covers inside the 10.
When breaking from the scrum, the defensive flanker now either needs to slow down a little or cover across more, leaving the gap inside to be covered by your number 8, or the lock packing down on that side.
After his team's victory against Biarritz in the European Cup in May 2006, Munster hooker Jerry Flannery said that he was disappointed that his team didn't have the kick off at the start of the game. He bemoaned the fact that they were on the back from the start and were a try down in the first five minutes.
The Munster kick off receivers had failed to do their job.
The basics
Here we look at the basic tactics and skills of the kick off reception.
1. Best catchers, not just the tallest
The tallest players do have an advantage. However, as a general principle you must get your best catchers to take kick off catches and not just the locks.
2. Support and communicate
The supporting players must communicate to the catcher. They need to warn them of the pressure coming from the opposition and be there to bind once the ball has been caught.
3. Shoulders square
The catcher should have their shoulders square to the reception of the ball. These has two key benefits:
A dropped catch goes backwards.
Once the ball is caught, the catcher presents a strong body position to the oncoming opposition players.
4. Position and psychology
The catch has two elements which make it particularly difficult.
The first is getting the catcher properly positioned, when the ball could be caught by a number of players. A confident call is required as the catcher quickly moves into position.
If a potential catcher has to move backwards, towards their own touch line, then another potential catcher behind them must take responsibility.
The second element is in the mind. Players bearing down on you make you more uncomfortable and you are more likely to take your eye off the ball. My advice, relish the hit!
If you show no fear, take the hit and still have the ball, it's an amazing feeling. It also means the opposition will feel less inclined to land the ball on you again. This is a psychological victory scored.
5. Full back knows best
Any decent full back will tell you how to take the catch, but do you practice these skills with your kick off catchers?
Concentrate on finding the manufacturer's name as the ball comes towards you. Don't take your eye of this until the ball is into your hands.
Have your hands high to receive the ball. Make the catch, then bring the ball down to the body with the elbows in.
6. Kick offs usually come to you from the left
A normal kick off comes from the left, as the defenders face it. Therefore it is predominantly taken by the left arm/hand of the player as they face towards the kick.
Consequently, practice one hand high ball catches with the left arm/hand only.
The ball is best thrown high by a team member for this practice rather than kicked.
Kicking practice can be a fun addition to your coaching repertoire. Here's my "do and don't" summary for kicking.
Do...
Let all your players practice. This season's prop could be your U18 fly half).
Introduce a variety of kicks (punt, drop, grubber, and chip).
Concentrate on technique and accuracy rather than distance.
Introduce kicking games, so your players can have fun practising their kicking skills in various scenarios.
Don't...
Let your players get away with poor technique.
Demonstrate a technique first, unless you are sure how to do it, and then only if it's a good example for your players.
Kicking decision making
Decision making for kicking is best developed through training games and during rugby matches, where players can quickly learning from their successes and mistakes.
Always give your players feedback on their kicking after a match or practice to help them learn.
During games, you can set limits on kicking. For instance, only allow your players to kick when they're in their own 22, only allow kicking for the first five minutes of each half, or only allow certain players to kick.
Kicking tennis - a training game
Mark out two equally sized squares, set about 10 metres apart. Place a team of three or four players in each square.
The teams take it in turns to kick a ball back and forth, trying to land it in the opposition's square. Encourage the players to catch the ball using good technique.
If the ball misses the opposition's square, the kicking team loses a point. If the ball lands in the opposition's square, the kicking team wins a point.
Play up to five points, then change the teams around and start again.
Lengthen the gap between the squares as your players' kicking skills develop.
It's not enough to simply kick long or short from kick offs. These are the basic tactics of creating pressure from your kick offs.
There are three possible outcomes you want from a good kick off:
You give yourself a chance to win the ball back straight from the restart.
You put the opposition under enough pressure to make a mistake.
You control the actions of the opposition. For instance, you make them play the ball into a strong position for you, such as kicking out for your lineout.
The most difficult of the three outcomes is to win the ball back. It is, however, a possible outcome of pressurising your opponents into making a mistake or kicking to touch. Consequently, it's usually best to focus on these options first.
1. Put the opposition under pressure to make a mistake
A high hanging kick
The drop kick needs to be performed on a hard surface so the ball bounces up from the drop. Do not expect this to happen on a wet day or when the grass is long. The half way line whitewash is a good place to drop the ball.
The kicker needs to generate elevation. The best tip here is to cup the foot upwards to get under the ball like a pitching wedge in golf, and then to follow through like a normal kick.
The landing area
This is where the kicker feels they can land the ball most of the time. For maximum pressure, the kick should be just beyond the 10m line.
Kick right
Some coaches say that it is better to kick right from the kick off, even if the kicker is right footed. This is because most players are right handed, therefore making it easier for your chasers to challenge for the ball with their stronger hand.
Correspondingly, the opposition will receive the ball on the left. Therefore, they are more likely to be hindered with their kicks for touch and with their long passes away from this part of the field.
2. Control the actions of the opposition
A common strategy is to kick the ball long and force the opposition to kick for a lineout. How is this best achieved?
A long kick into the "soft area"
Most teams line up with most of their forwards between the 22m and the 10m lines. The "soft area" is behind the 22m line, where the number 8 and the scrum half (9) normally stand.
Their catcher here is probably more isolated than for a shorter kick, with his supporters having to come in from the wrong side.
Kick low
A low kick travels further, especially on a windy day. The tactic leaves the catcher more likely to be isolated, and reaching for a ball travelling at a greater velocity.
The catcher will, therefore, have less time to make decisions before catching the ball, but more time once they have it.
Kick high
A high kick gives your chasers more chance of closing down the catcher.
Ideally, you want your kicker to be able to vary the length, height and type of their kick restarts, and your chasers always to be able to pressurise your opponents regardless of the strategy you adopt.
Two waves of chasers
Different coaches have different names for the two waves, but the tactics are the same.
The first wave challenges for the ball. This wave will contain the best jumpers, probably the locks and the number 8.
The second wave clears up knock downs by either team. They spread themselves around the landing area, some ahead of the ball and some behind it.
Angles of run
The first wave starts wide and comes in towards the landing area, so they can "eyeball" the opposition and the ball as much as possible.
The second wave spreads out evenly between the touchline and the kicker, and runs towards the landing area.
Different roles for kick chasers
Chasers have different roles. Either winger should play an important part, trying their best to meet the opposition catcher as he receives the ball. A couple of other players should also be designated in this role.
The second wave must come up in a line, so as to reduce your opponent's options to break out.
A centre (12 or 13) or both centres should charge up the middle. Their target is to close down their fly half (10) to prevent the counter attack.
Defensive runner/counter attacker
Two players should hang back to collect a miss-hit touch finder or "up and under". This is normally the scrum half (9) and the team's best forward runner.
Pre-determined lineout strategy
Given that the plan may be to force the opposition to kick to touch, the lineout call should already have been made s before the restart.
JURULATIH skuad ragbi negara, Jude Rampangajouw menyifatkan pemain negara berjaya mempamerkan aksi memuaskan meskipun hanya berupaya tampil di kedudukan keempat dalam Kejohanan Siri Ragbi Asia Tujuh Sebelah iRB 2009 peringkat Malaysia di Stadium Likas, Kota Kinabalu, semalam.
Jurulatih yang juga bekas pemain kebangsaan itu merasakan pasukan negara sudah memberikan yang terbaik dan tidak banyak kesilapan dilakukan sungguhpun tewas kepada kepada Korea 33-7.
“Keseluruhannya, saya puas hati dengan pencapaian mereka. Tiada apa yang dikesalkan kerana kami menjadi pasukan keempat terbaik di Asia,” katanya.
Jude mengakui faktor keletihan menjadi salah satu punca kepada persembahan hambar pemain. Ujarnya: “Ya, mereka keletihan berbanding Korea. Itu antara faktor kelemahan kami dan jelas sekali kami akan berusaha untuk perbaikinya selepas ini.”
Kejohanan ini menyaksikan Jepun muncul juara keseluruhan selepas menumpaskan Hong Kong, 38-14 malam tadi.
Kata jurulatih Jepun, Wataru Murata: “Kami menerima saingan sengit antaranya dari Korea, China dan Malaysia di kejohanan ini. Pastinya kami amat gembira dapat menjuarainya.
“Kami berjaya menguasai perlawanan dengan Hong Kong dan memastikan bola sentiasa berada di kalangan pemain kami.”
China tidak ketinggalan meraih piala bagi kategori Plate, mengalahkan Filipina 31-0. Taiwan pula menguasai kategori Bowl selepas menewaskan India 19-0.
Acara wanita hanya menampilkan tiga pasukan selepas Guam menarik diri dengan menyaksikan Thailand menjuarainya apabila membenam India 41-0.
Untuk bermain ragbi, setiap pasukan perlu mempunyai seramai 15 orang pemain. Tetapi untuk masa sekarang, permainan ragbi 7 dan 10 sebelah semakin meningkat popular. Terdapat dua kumpulan pemain. Kumpulan pertama dipanggil "forwards" yang terdiri daripada lapan pemain. Kumpulan kedua pula dipanggil "queus" ataupun "backline" yang terdiri daripada tujuh orang pemain.
Ragbi mula diperkenalkan di Malaysia selepas perang dunia pertama. Mengikut sejarah, sukan ini pada awalnya bermula di Negeri Sembilan. Beberapa orang pemain termasuk pegawai-pegawai Eropah telah menjalani latihan di Padang Stesen, Seremban. Kemudiannya, tertubuhlah Kelab Ragbi pertama di negara ini. Seramai 50 orang ahli telah mendaftarkan diri. Dari Negeri Sembilan , ragbi berkembang ke Selangor, Perak, Pulau Pinang dan Singapura. Kelab ragbi pula turut ditubuhkan seperti The Edwardians di Taiping, The Birch Rompers dari Perak, The Penang Asians dan Kelab Selangor dari Kuala Lumpur. Pada tahun 1934, perlawanan ragbi antara negeri yang pertama telah diadakan, iaitu bagi merebut Piala All Blues. Perak muncul sebagai juara. Seterusnya pertandingan ini telah diadakan setiap tahun hinggalah tahun 1963. Apabila Kesatuan Ragbi (KRM) ditubuhkan, pertandingan antara negeri ini telah ditukar dengan Pertandingan Bawah 23 Tahun. Pertandingan Piala Malaya pula bermula beberapa tahun selepas Piala All Blues. Corak pertandingan sama dengan bola sepak iaitu antara negeri. Pada tahun 1983, pertandingan Piala Malaya telah ditukar kepada Piala Agong. Kini, pertandingan Piala Agong merupakan kemuncak aktiviti KRM setiap tahun. Di samping itu, terdapat pertandingan-pertanding lain seperti Kejohanan Anggota Kerajaan, Kejohanan MSSM serta beberapa kejohanan jemputan samada anjuran KRM ataupun negeri-negeri. Kini ragbi terkenal di kalangan pelajar-pelajar sehingga terdapat pula pertandingan khusus untuk peringkat ini.
