Strategies and tactics for developing an attacking rugby formation
The strategy "Developing an attacking rugby formation" focuses on creating a formation that optimizes attacking opportunities and maximizes scoring potential. It includes three main strategies to achieve these objectives.
The first strategy, "Utilise wide spread formation," involves positioning the wingers near the touchlines to stretch the defense, and deploying centers to exploit gaps in the midfield. The fly-half stays deep for effective distribution, while the fullback provides cover and counter-attacks. Forwards support both defense and attack, while the number eight and pod systems ensure reliable passing structures.
The second strategy, "Implement a dynamic attacking line," aims to create immediate pressure with a flat attacking line and encourages players to run support lines off the ball. Decoy runners confuse the defense, while quick rucks and offloads keep the play alive. The fly-half directs the play, and varied lines and quick pick-and-goes from backs and flankers maintain intensity.
The third strategy, "Create a multi-phase attack plan," involves preparing planned phases for different field positions and training players to adapt to defensive weaknesses. Forwards and backs have specific roles, and variations in phase play keep the defense guessing. Incorporating kicking options and situational plays with different setups encourages quick decision-making and adaptability. Video analysis is used to refine the plans.
The strategies
⛳️ Strategy 1: Utilise wide spread formation
- Position wingers near the touchlines to stretch the defence
- Deploy centres to exploit gaps in the midfield
- Ensure the fly-half stays deep to distribute the ball effectively
- Place the fullback just behind the line for cover and counter-attacks
- Have the scrum-half ready to provide quick passes from the breakdown
- Encourage the forwards to support in both defence and attack
- Use pod systems to create reliable passing structures
- Have the number eight ready to exploit broken play situations
- Ensure all players are drilled in maintaining the formation under pressure
- Develop plays that focus on quick ball movement and exploiting mismatches
⛳️ Strategy 2: Implement a dynamic attacking line
- Adopt a flat attacking line to create immediate pressure
- Encourage players to run support lines off the ball
- Use decoy runners to confuse the defence and create space
- Encourage quick rucks to recycle the ball rapidly
- Focus on offloading in tackles to keep the play alive
- Ensure the fly-half communicates constantly to direct play
- Encourage backs to run varied lines and change direction
- Use the number eight and flankers for quick pick-and-goes
- Practise set plays that can be executed at high speed
- Work on fitness to maintain intensity throughout the game
⛳️ Strategy 3: Create a multi-phase attack plan
- Prepare a series of planned phases for different field positions
- Train players to recognise and adapt to defensive weaknesses
- Ensure forwards are proficient in handling and passing
- Develop specific roles for each player in multi-phase moves
- Use variations in phase play to keep the defence guessing
- Incorporate kicking options to exploit space behind the defensive line
- Ensure backs and forwards understand their roles in support play
- Practise situational plays with different defensive setups
- Encourage quick decision-making and adaptability
- Use video analysis to refine and improve the multi-phase plans
Bringing accountability to your strategy
It's one thing to have a plan, it's another to stick to it. We hope that the examples above will help you get started with your own strategy, but we also know that it's easy to get lost in the day-to-day effort.
That's why we built Tability: to help you track your progress, keep your team aligned, and make sure you're always moving in the right direction.
Give it a try and see how it can help you bring accountability to your strategy.
