Saxons Training Report Remeberance Sunday

Hi Saxons,

Well done for Sunday, whether you were representing a Cadet Force, Scout or Cub group or supporting family at a Remembrance Service or whether you were at training or off injured and resting. We enjoyed a good session on Sunday, thinking about how we could improve our game and enjoy it more with the experience we gained at our Tournament on 2 Nov.

I think we are all agreed we know how to play rugby, to run and pass, tackle, ruck and maul. When we train and practice with touch rugby and our matches against ourselves, we play a dazzling, running, passing and offloading game, which is brilliant to watch and I can see that you enjoy it.

So why is it, that when we are faced with opposition, we normally revert to ‘smashing it up the middle’ or ‘Route 1’ rugby, with players taking the ball deep into contact on their own and getting wrapped up by defenders? I know there is sometimes a fine line between breaking the line and getting wrapped up, but in percentage terms, the breaks are going to be more successful against a stretched or broken line than through the middle or close fringes of the contact area. Especially against the ‘Big Player’ teams we play.

On Sunday we concentrated on running, passing and offloading play, to remind ourselves that we can do it. We revised the basics:

When you are passed the ball you have to think two things:

1. I need to give the ball something – take it forwards at least 1 or 2 steps, more if there is space or you can sidestep and make a break, but give it something and that also means receiving the ball as you are moving forward and you will do it automatically. If you are standing still or static when you catch the ball the defence will be on you and will either knock you and the ball backwards or read your obvious pass and intercept the ball. If you are ‘Giving’ the ball something and going forward, they have to check and either go static or turn and follow you, this puts you in charge. It might be that ’Giving’ the ball something takes it to the try line, but normally it won’t, so the second thing to think is:

2. I need to give the ball to someone – be prepared to give it. As you receive the ball and give it something you will know how far you are going to be able to go before challenged and this gives you time to consider your ‘giving’ options. You need to know where the support players are around you, so move your head and look and listen. Your options are then to:

1. Pass to a player in space calling for the ball before you are tackled (having held and fixed the defender)

2. Pop pass/pop the ball up to a support player calling for the ball as you are tackled

3. Make the ball available to a support player as you go into contact by leading with one shoulder into the contact and placing ball on your rear hip furthest from the defenders.

4. Take the ball to ground and pop it up if the support player is there or lay it back for quick rucking

We applied this in the match and it reduced our rucks and mauls by about 60%. The ball was kept alive, moved and attacked. You re-discovered your passing and offloading game and it was great fun.

So, Give it Something and then be ready to Give It.

Well done Saxons,

Tom