Articles

Attack articles

Want to teach your players attacking rugby?

We have got attacking skills resource for all levels of the from some of the world's best attack coaches to help including Wayne Smith, Joe Schmidt, Gregor Townsend, Dave Ellis and others.

  • Build an effective attack strategy like the best attacking teams in the world.
  • Understand different strategies and why they are effective.
  • Develop effective individual and team attacking skills and tactics
  • Different modified games to develop attacking skills

Plus we have categorised them by playing level to make it easier for you to find:

  • Y – youth
  • HS – high school
  • A – adult
  • All – suitable for all levels

How to chase the high kick – the Springbok way

Analyst Nick Bishop spots some Springbox innovation in the Lions series of games where the pattern of play was both conservative and repetitive.

Getting around the 'Rush' Defence

One the most difficult problems for coaches to solve in the modern game is the rush defence. Analyst Nick Bishop looks at how a ‘single wing attack’ structure is proving successful.

How to make the pick-and-go really ‘go’

The pick-and-go is often neglected, at least in field positions outside the opposition 22. Analyst Nick Bishop takes a look at some of the features that make the pick-and-go game tick over as smoothly as clockwork.

Is it better to play Rugby without the ball?

The early evidence is that Test rugby is proving to be stubbornly resistant to the 2020 law changes, which were designed to promote quicker ruck delivery and more ball-in-hand attack. Analyst Nick Bishop looks at why this is the case

Why have the top teams stopped kicking for goal?

It may just be the end of an era. The days of the penalty goal as the primary means of scoring in Rugby may be coming to end – at least if the English Premiership final is a true measure of judgement as Nick Bishop reports in this week’s analysis.

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.