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Why the wide ruck can be a big Achilles heel for the attackA ‘sweet spot’ exists where the defence can move over to the attack at the breakdown as Nick Bishop outlines in this week’s analysis..
How the new law trial at the scrum is creating new possibilities for the attackNick Bishop highlights some new ideas to create clean attacking ball from scrums encouraged by the latest law-trials, and (potentially) the scrummage returning to its former status as a potent attacking weapon.
How to cover the break on defence, and bring ‘chaos’ back to ‘structure’How can the defence return from ‘chaos’ back to ‘structure’, and the odds shift in the defence’s favour from an attack break? Nick Bishop details in this week’s analysis.
How to get a second bite at the cherry at the breakdownThe recent changes in officiating guidelines at the breakdown outlawed a second move on the deck, and reduced the options at presentation for the ball-carrier. Nick Bishop details how coaches are adapting so players get a second bite at the breakdown ‘cherry’.
The Lineout Drive - Beauty or BeastIs the lineout drive a ‘blight’ on the game or one of the most fruitful areas for set-piece attack in modern praxis.
Nick Bishop provides some analysis from recent 6 nations matches.
How to get into shape on attack and use your ‘spares’ – the modern way!The speed of modern ruck ball has now increased to a point where formations have had to become more flexible to maintain momentum and fan the flames on attack. Nick Bishop details why this has come about and its effect on game.
How to run the “I” formation and mask your intentions on attackNick Bishop details how Italy has extended the ‘I’ attack formation to great effect in their recent international matches.
How to turn a profit from off-the-ball work on kick returnsIt takes a lot of hard work to create a platform to unlock a good opposing kicking game, and the chase which backs it up, on counter-attack.
Using Scotland’s 6 Nations performance against England at the weekend, Nick Bishop outlines what is involved and the potential returns from the off the ball hard work.
Why rugby has yet to find consistency in contact heightNick Bishop investigates why consistently refereeing a tackle height is proving challenging for match officials.
How to split the middle with your kicking gameIn open play as well as from formal restarts, the kick straight up the middle is becoming an increasingly viable option for the side in possession. Nick Bishop explains why this trend has recently started and how it is being executed in this week’s analysis.
How to move the point of contact close to the goal-lineIf you play it safe, it can often lead to the sporting syndrome of ‘tightening up’ psychologically. Typically, sportsmen turn to increased focus on the detail of their performance, a technical hypervigilance – and that only makes things worse.
Nick Bishop looks at the expectations of scoring a try close to the goal-line.
How to use ‘lightning quick ball’ at the Lineout DriveThe principles of LQB and KBA don’t have to be confined to the skills of offloading and quick ruck ball production in open play.
Nick Bishop, Leinster and soon to be Racing 92 analyst, starts the year using footage from the clubs’ recent match, how Lightening Quick Ball can be used at lineout time.
