Elite Rugby Players Understanding the Game and Improved DecisionMaking

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Elite Rugby PlayersUnderstanding the Game and
Improved Decision-Making

• Pete Steinberg
• Game Development Officer

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Elite Player

• Characteristics of Elite Players
• Physical fitness
• Mental toughness/confidence
• Technical skills
• Understanding of the game
• Decision-making

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Decision-Making

• Decision-making is the key to playing at an elite
  level. It allows you to apply your technical
  skills at the right time. To be able to make
  good decisions you need to understand how the
  game of rugby works.

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Offense-Defense
Passing backwards creates unique structures in
rugby
Offside line
Possession
Gain line
Tackle Line
Attack
Attack Line
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Principles of Play - Offense
Possession
Go Forward
Pressure
Support
Continuity
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Principles of Play - Defense
Restart
Pressure Possession
Go Forward
Regain Possession
Apply Pressure
Support
Counter attack
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Game/Drill Structures

• Key to symbols

Tryline
Defender
Ball
Attacker
Cone
Direction of run
Direction of pass
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20 Passes
Grid or square with 2 teams of no more than 10.
The goal is to make 20 passes without the ball
being dropped and without stepping out of bounds.
Only other rule is that you cannot cheat and
call for the ball when the other team has it
means the players should only pass the ball to
someone that calls for it.
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No Rules

• The width of the field is about a 20m. Length
  can be manipulated to meet fitness requirements.
• Initial rules are
• Score a try by getting the ball down in the
  ground in the tryzone
• The cannot step out of bounds
• The cannot be touch with the ball in their hands
  turnove
• If the ball is dropped - turnover

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No Rules - Grab

• The width of the field is about a 20m. Length
  can be manipulated to meet fitness requirements.
• Same rules as before, except
• Tackle is now a grab and not a touch
• You cannot pass the ball forward

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Channel Defense
3v3 in a 20 by 20 grid. No ball. The goal of
the offense is to have one player run through
untouched. The defense must 2 hand touch below
the waist and make one tackle only. The defense
stays in their zones and must communicate to
each other who they have. Communication is the
key and the defenders must have the vision to see
what the attackers are doing, and then
communicate that to the others.
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8v1
Does not need to be 8v1 Should be grab. Width is
normally about 20m. Length determines
intensity. First defender kicks ball
to Attackers and stays still until ball is
fielded. The 8 attack and score on other end
of grid. When the ball is touched down another
player must pick up and attack the other way and
another defender is added. This repeats until
the coach decides the attacking team has failed
to score. Initially they should beat one or two
defenders with no grab but when they get to 3 or
more they may need to take contact and keep the
attack going
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General Motion

• This game is designed to introduce the three ways
  to attack
• Around
• Through
• Over
• It can be played with any number of players.
  Split the group into teams. Have the attack
  spread out facing away from the defense and then
  manipulate the defense into one of 3 formations
• Grouped
• Spread out with depth
• Flat
• Kick the ball to the attack and let them choose
  the method that they would attack the defense.
  Play it grab to allow continuity.