Changing the point of attack is a fundamental skill that every rugby player should master. It involves quickly shifting the direction of play from one side of the field to the other in order to exploit gaps or weaknesses in the opposition’s defense. Changing the point of attack is a key strategy used by rugby teams to create scoring opportunities and maintain possession of the ball. In this chapter, we will explore the various techniques and benefits of changing the point of attack in rugby.
Before we dive into the techniques of changing the point of attack, it is important to understand why this skill is so crucial in rugby. Rugby is a game that is all about creating space and exploiting it. Changing the point of attack allows teams to quickly move the ball from one side of the field to the other in order to create space and open up opportunities for scoring.
One of the key benefits of changing the point of attack is that it can catch the opposition’s defense off-guard. Defenders tend to focus on the side of the field where the ball is, which can leave the other side vulnerable. By quickly shifting the direction of play, attackers can take advantage of this and create space for themselves or their teammates.
Another benefit of changing the point of attack is that it can help to tire out the opposition’s defense. Defenders need to constantly adjust their position and movements to keep up with the attacking team, and changing the point of attack can make this task even more challenging. By forcing the defense to constantly shift their position, attackers can wear them down and create gaps in the defense.
So, how do you change the point of attack in rugby? There are several techniques that can be used, depending on the situation and the position of the players on the field.
One technique is the switch pass, which involves two players swapping positions while the ball is being passed. This can create confusion in the opposition’s defense and open up space for the attacking team.
Another technique is the loop, where a player runs behind the ball carrier and receives a pass back from them. This can create a new angle of attack and put the opposition’s defense under pressure.
A third technique is the cut-back, where the ball carrier changes direction and runs back towards the side of the field they came from. This can create space and catch the opposition’s defense off-guard.
Regardless of the technique used, it is important to communicate effectively with your teammates when changing the point of attack. This ensures that everyone is on the same page and knows where the ball is going.
It is also important to be aware of the opposition’s defense when changing the point of attack. Look for gaps or weaknesses in their defense, and exploit them quickly before they have a chance to recover.
In addition to the techniques of changing the point of attack, there are several strategies that can be used to maximize the effectiveness of this skill. One strategy is to use decoy runners, who create a distraction for the opposition’s defense by running in a different direction to the ball carrier. This can create confusion and open up space for the attacking team.
Another strategy is to use a “dummy” pass, where the ball carrier fakes a pass in one direction before quickly changing the point of attack in the other direction. This can catch the opposition’s defense off-guard and create space for the attacking team.
Changing the point of attack is a skill that requires practice, patience, and teamwork. It is important to work on this skill during training sessions and to develop a good understanding of your teammates’ movements and positioning.
Switch pass
The switch pass is a powerful technique that can be used to change the point of attack in rugby. It involves two players swapping positions while the ball is being passed, in order to create confusion in the opposition’s defense and open up space for the attacking team.
To execute a switch pass, the ball carrier runs towards one side of the field, while their teammate runs towards the opposite side. As the ball carrier approaches their teammate, they pass the ball to them and then continue to run towards the opposite side of the field. Their teammate then runs towards the side of the field where the ball carrier was running towards, while carrying the ball.
The switch pass can be particularly effective when used in midfield, as it can create confusion in the opposition’s defense and open up space for the attacking team to exploit. It can also be used to create overlaps, as the opposition’s defenders may get caught out of position while trying to keep up with the attacking team’s movement.
When executing a switch pass, it is important to time the pass correctly, and to communicate effectively with your teammate. Both players must be aware of each other’s movements and positioning on the field, and must be able to anticipate when the pass will be made.
Another important aspect of the switch pass is the positioning of the supporting players. They should be running lines that complement the movement of the ball carrier and their teammate, in order to create the most space and put the opposition’s defense under the most pressure.
Finally, it is important to be aware of the opposition’s defense when executing a switch pass. If the defense is well-organized and disciplined, it may be more difficult to create space and opportunities for the attacking team. However, if the attacking team can execute the switch pass effectively and create confusion in the opposition’s defense, they can open up gaps and create scoring opportunities.
The switch pass is a powerful technique that can be used to change the point of attack in rugby. It requires good communication, timing, and teamwork, and can create confusion in the opposition’s defense and open up space for the attacking team to exploit. With practice and patience, the switch pass can become an effective weapon in any rugby team’s arsenal.
Loop pass
The loop pass is another powerful technique that can be used to change the point of attack in rugby. It involves a player running behind the ball carrier and receiving a pass back from them, creating a new angle of attack and putting the opposition’s defense under pressure.
To execute a loop pass, the ball carrier runs towards one side of the field, while their teammate runs behind them in the opposite direction. As the ball carrier approaches their teammate, they pass the ball backwards to them, while continuing to run towards the opposite side of the field. Their teammate catches the ball and then runs towards the side of the field where the ball carrier was running towards, while carrying the ball.
The loop pass can be particularly effective when used in midfield, as it can create confusion in the opposition’s defense and open up space for the attacking team to exploit. It can also be used to create overlaps, as the opposition’s defenders may get caught out of position while trying to keep up with the attacking team’s movement.
When executing a loop pass, it is important to time the pass correctly, and to communicate effectively with your teammate. Both players must be aware of each other’s movements and positioning on the field, and must be able to anticipate when the pass will be made.
Another important aspect of the loop pass is the positioning of the supporting players. They should be running lines that complement the movement of the ball carrier and their teammate, in order to create the most space and put the opposition’s defense under the most pressure.
Finally, it is important to be aware of the opposition’s defense when executing a loop pass. If the defense is well-organized and disciplined, it may be more difficult to create space and opportunities for the attacking team. However, if the attacking team can execute the loop pass effectively and create confusion in the opposition’s defense, they can open up gaps and create scoring opportunities.
The loop pass is a powerful technique that can be used to change the point of attack in rugby. It requires good communication, timing, and teamwork, and can create confusion in the opposition’s defense and open up space for the attacking team to exploit. With practice and patience, the loop pass can become an effective weapon in any rugby team’s arsenal.
The cut back
The cut back is another effective technique for changing the point of attack in rugby. It involves the ball carrier changing direction and running back towards the side of the field they came from, catching the opposition’s defense off-guard and creating space.
To execute a cut back, the ball carrier runs towards one side of the field, while their teammate runs in support on the same side. As the ball carrier approaches the opposition’s defensive line, they suddenly change direction and run back towards the side of the field they came from. This can create confusion in the opposition’s defense and open up space for the ball carrier and their teammate.
The cut back can be particularly effective when used near the opposition’s try line, as it can create gaps in their defense and open up scoring opportunities. It can also be effective when used in midfield, as it can create space for the ball carrier to make a break and gain valuable ground.
When executing a cut back, it is important to be aware of the opposition’s defense and their positioning on the field. The ball carrier should look for gaps in the defense and quickly change direction to exploit them. It is also important to communicate effectively with the supporting player, who should be aware of the ball carrier’s movements and ready to receive a pass.
Another important aspect of the cut back is the positioning of the supporting players. They should be running lines that complement the movement of the ball carrier, in order to create the most space and put the opposition’s defense under the most pressure.
Finally, it is important to be aware of the opposition’s defensive line when executing a cut back. If the defense is well-organized and disciplined, it may be more difficult to create space and opportunities for the attacking team. However, if the attacking team can execute the cut back effectively and create confusion in the opposition’s defense, they can open up gaps and create scoring opportunities.
The cut back is a powerful technique that can be used to change the point of attack in rugby. It requires good communication, timing, and awareness of the opposition’s defense, and can create confusion and space for the attacking team to exploit. With practice and patience, the cut back can become an effective weapon in any rugby team’s arsenal.
Other ideas for changing the point of attack in rugby
In addition to the switch pass, loop pass, and cut back, there are other effective techniques and strategies for changing the point of attack in rugby. Here are a few more ideas:
- Offloading: When the ball carrier is tackled, they can pass the ball to a teammate before they hit the ground. This can create momentum and keep the attacking team on the front foot, as the opposition’s defense may be caught off-guard.
- Cross-kick: This involves the ball carrier kicking the ball across the field to a teammate on the opposite side. This can create confusion in the opposition’s defense and open up space for the attacking team, as the opposition’s defenders may be out of position.
- Grubber kick: This involves the ball carrier kicking the ball along the ground, with the intention of regaining possession or creating a scoring opportunity. This can be effective when used near the opposition’s try line, as it can create confusion and put the opposition’s defense under pressure.
- Cut-out pass: This involves the ball carrier passing the ball over one or more defenders, in order to reach a teammate further down the field. This can create space and opportunities for the attacking team, as the opposition’s defense may be out of position.
- Quick tap: This involves the ball carrier tapping the ball on the ground and quickly picking it up and running. This can catch the opposition’s defense off-guard and create space for the attacking team to exploit.
In addition to these techniques, there are also several strategies that can be used to maximize the effectiveness of changing the point of attack. These include using decoy runners, creating overlaps, and running set plays that involve multiple phases of play.
Ultimately, the key to changing the point of attack in rugby is to be creative, communicate effectively with your teammates, and be aware of the opposition’s defense. With practice and patience, any rugby team can become proficient at changing the point of attack and creating scoring opportunities.