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Attack articles

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How to use late movement on attack close to the ruck

While a great deal of time is spent, and rightly so, on improving the speed of ball delivery from a ruck, it is just as important to focus on the movement around it. As Analyst Nick Bishop explains most rucks create their own geography, and two sides for the attack to explore.

Is there a Renaissance in French rugby

On and off the field, French rugby appears to be in a Renaissance with 2 teams contesting the 2021 Champions cup final and close to winning the last 2 6 nations titles. As Analyst Nick Bishop writes, some of those uniquely French attack characteristics are beginning to work their way back into the mindset of both club and country.

Why the cross-kick is a quick fix for attacking width

The cross-kick (or kick-pass) is a low-risk way of moving the ball from one side of the field to the other in one movement, without the need for top-drawer handling and passing skills. Nick Bishop looks at the types of kick-passes and their effectiveness.

How to look for the transition zones on attack

Against a defence which is still well-organized, one of the most reliable methods of attack is to seek out the so-called ‘transition zones’ between a forward and a back. Analyst Nick Bishop explains what is and why it is so effective.

When is the tip-on pass most effective?

The art of attacking is the art of creating and utilizing space. Pushing the ball ever wider to find the space is therefore, no longer as effective as it once was. Analyst Nick Bishop looks at how teams have started instead to look at ways to create small pockets of space in which to attack in the middle of the field, without using the whole width of the pitch.

Red Zone Kicking adds to No 9 Role

The new breakdown laws have resulted in more kicking especially from the No 9.
This week Analyst Nick Bishop looks at how this No 9 kicking has spread to the Red Zone’ at ruck time.

How to expose the ‘spare man’ in defence

Locating the spare defender is the short-hand for deciding the direction of attack on the next play. In this week’s analysis, using a recent European Cup game as an example, Nick Bishop looks how an attack can exploit defending team’s ‘receiver’ role at Lineout time.

How to manipulate the short-side from lineout

The lineout drive is a more robust, manageable platform for set-piece attack than the scrum, especially if the short-side is the target area as Analyst Nick Bishop highlights in this week’s article.

How to ask searching questions close to the goal-line

Much of the innovation in the English game has been derived from Exeter. Again, their coaches are not afraid to question assumptions about how the game should be played. This week Analyst Nick Bishop highlights an example of their successful innovation.