In each match you play, if you are doing really well at the breakdown you will win 70% quick ball and 30% slow ball. Therefore, the way you manage slow ball is vital to your chances of winning the game.

Your aim from a breakdown which has produced slow ball is to get the advantage back by either generating quick ball and/or cutting a number of defenders off so that from your next attack you have a numerical advantage.

By using two passes rather than the traditional one pass you can achieve this.

You set your 10 at a normal passing distance. Have one forward inside (option 1) and two forwards outside (option 2) with a back behind the two forwards so you can also play wide (option 3).

This formation has plenty of options – attacking the A/B defenders (the two closest to the ruck) with option one, the D/E/F defenders (those wider in defensive line) with option 2, or even wider with option 3.

If the defence over-reads the setup, the 10 can run himself, which shows how many variations you can have to keep the defence guessing in order to re-gain the advantage.

That is the most effective way of managing slow to ensure you receive quick, clean possession from as many breakdowns as possible.