Breaking a defensive line

Successful attacking rugby play doesn’t have to involve fancy moves, complicated tactics or extravagant long passes. Each team has their own style of attack, and each team has their own level of success in attack, but there is one movement or “play’ which, if done correctly, is extremely difficult to defend against.

In both rugby union and rugby league the use of “lead” and “out the back” runners has become the most useful weapon in attacking play. There are many variations and positions in which this “move” can be utilised, and it has become the core play in go-forward rugby.

Go back 20 even 15 years, and passing the ball behind the back of a player lying flat would be seen as crossing or obstruction, but rule changes and leniency have allowed it to come into play.

There are many names and terms for this move, but the basic explanation of how it works is simple. A player with the ball in hand will have a short pass option to a player running a flat, direct angle, and also another passing opportunity to a player behind this first option. The second options will be in a deeper position, usually running a wider angle, but as mentioned the angles and positioning can be adjusted.

To give an example, imagine a forward runner has been hitting hard, flat angles off a first receiver for several plays. The same set up remains, but another player (usually a back) is several meters behind the direct running forward. Instead of passing to the forward, the first receiver takes the ball to the line again, but leaves the forward, passes behind him to a player running a deep wide angle with the rest of the back line running off him.

This is the simplest example of this type of play, but there are countless variations. Here are some examples;

1.     The first receiver takes the ball to the line. As he does so the outside centre runs a direct, flat inwards line, while the inside centre lies deep and times an outside arking line. The two centres cross each other and if the timing is right the first receiver has the option of giving the ball to either.

A simple example, it puts the defence in two minds, especially the inside centre who has to be aware of the flat, hard running outside centre as well as the potential of the ball going deep and wide to an inside centre in full flight.

2.     A classic, common move in rugby is a cut, or dummy cut. This involves a ball handler running cross field and a teammate runs back inwards creating the option of a change of angle.

If the ball handler decides to dummy the inward runner there is usually an option to pop the ball to a player running ball direct, flat line. This can cause confusion, and punch holes in a defensive line, but if there is the option of an “out the back runner” behind the direct option, the defence have to decide which threat is more. Not only do they need to take into account the direct hit-up runner, but there is the potential deep “out the back” runner to consider.

3.     Often a dummy half/scrum-half will pick up the ball from a scrum or ruck and make a lateral run. This is already a threat for the defence to think about. Often there will be a forward offering the option of a short ball. This “pop” ball can be ignored, and the scrum-half can pull back the pass to a wide running first receiver with a options outside. Alternatively another forward can be behind this first option and slightly wider, offering a hit-up from a different position and angle.

These are three very simple options of how this “move” can be utilized, and they are only examples of countless variations. There can be multiple direct running players, and multiple “out the back” runners offering different angles, and there may be more than one opportunity for this “move” in one line attack.

The key to this working is the confusion and it creates in the defenders’ minds. “Do I need to stay on the direct runner, or should I be sliding out to get to the deep, wide threat?”

Drift defences have proved to be the most successful in modern rugby, and most teams utilise this strategy. The “up and out” pattern has changed defences for the better, but the lateral movement involved is what allows the “lead”and “out the back`” plays to be so successful.

In a drift defence, you want to be able to read the play, and as the ball goes to players outside, you are looking to move out to these players so no overlaps are allowed. What this particular attacking set up does is question the defender as to when and if it is possible to drift out.

The direct, inward angle being run can put defenders on their heels, and any hesitation will allow for gaps to open out wide. At the same time if the defender chooses to ignore this flat, direct threat and drift to the potential deep, wide attack, then a good player with ball in hand will recognise this and exploit the opening closer in.

The next quality game of rugby you watch, look for the utilisation of this attacking ploy. The better the angles run, and the more options there are, the more openings will become available. When teams get it right it is the most effective way of potentially breaking the opponents line.