Ejercicio de continuidad (en inglés)

The big step

By Dan Cottrell

If the ball carrier is powerful in the contact area, then they can offload or maintain possession more effectively.

Less experienced and younger players have a tendency to fall over or crumple unless they practise good body positions and use a good step into contact.

This session - "The big step" - concentrates on this footwork.

What you tell your players the session is about

• Improving your ability break through defenders.

• Improving your continuity options in the attack.

• mproving your effectiveness in contact.

What you tell your players to do

• Be purposeful in your movement forward.

• Use your shoulder, hip and thigh to make contact with the pad.

• At the contact point take a big step to make a firm base and keep you strong.

What you get your players to do

• Split your squad into four defenders with contact shields, with the rest working as attackers.

• Position the defenders evenly on each side of the box.

• Each attacking player has to make his way through the area taking a big step into each defender and knocking them back.

• The defenders can step towards the attacker as though moving into tackle.

What to call out

• "Attack the defender"

• "The last step is a big step"

• "Feel the air being knocked out of the pad"

• "Step past the pad"

• "Be aggressive"

Development

• Add a support player who takes the pass after the defender is knocked out the way. This player takes it onto the next defender.

• Add more defenders and attackers so it becomes more like a game.

Game situation

* Play on a pitch about 20 metres wide, so there is little space to go through and plenty of contact.

* Split into six attackers and six defenders.

* If you have contact shields use these to start. If not, condition tackling to be a grab, rather than a full-on tackle. By doing this, the players will be able to break through the defence and off load to supporting players.

* Tries have to be scored in the corners.



What to think about

* Are the players balanced and powerful at contact, or when making contact do they lose power and at times fall down?

The players have to make sure their final step before contact is big and the lead foot is placed beyond the defender. This will make them more powerful and strong.

* Are players holding the ball in the lead shoulder?

The ball can be vulnerable if held in the lead shoulder, therefore get the players to practise moving the ball from shoulder to shoulder, while on the run.