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What can ‘tactical periodization’ mean in a game of Rugby?‘Tactical Periodization’ is becoming a popular phrase in the sporting vocabulary. What is it? How is being effectively used in Rugby? Analyst Nick Bishop explains ‘TP’ and how it is being adopted into Rugby.
Why the modern lineout peel is back to frontThe times they are a-changing, and peels from the lineout are no longer confined to the open-side of the field. Nick Bishop explains why in this week’s analysis.
How to locate and exploit the low-energy defenderNick Bishop depicts how Teams like to use multi-phase attack to exploit the low-energy defender.
Why ‘lefty-righty’ is so important on attackNick Bishop highlights the attacking value of distributors who can offer superior quality with their left-to-right passing.
When is a knock-on not a knock-on?If the ball goes forward off, it is a knock-on and a scrum to the opposition, right? Well not always the case as Analyst Nick Bishop highlights in this week’s analysis.
What does economy at the cleanout really look like?The new ruck guidelines have accelerated the blurring of boundaries between ball-winners and ball-users, contact ‘grunts’ and mercurial play-makers.
Analyst Nick Bishop illustrates the effect it has on different positions and the game.
Ennis Rugby Club producing Red DiamondsHow did 3 of 6 academy players come from Ennis Rugby club, in Co Clare, Ireland, not exactly a traditional powerhouse of Munster rugby appear in a European Champions Cup match and win? Luck of the Irish or the result of a successful development programme?
Why does defence look so different in the modern era?Why is there a need to keep pace in the observation, and explanation of the game of Rugby? Many of the understandings in the game still derive from the amateur era, or the early days of professionalism. Nick Bishop uses modern defences as an example in this week’s analysis.
Why Rugby is creeping into the grey area at ruck and maulProfessional coaches spend an awful lot of time looking for loopholes, or grey areas within the rugby lawbook which they feel they can exploit. Analyst Nick Bishop looks at the latest evidence of Lawbook loophole occurring in the English premiership.
Who won the joust of styles at number 9 in Paris? – Part 2In Part 2 of how the different No 9 styles can work in harmony with the new breakdown guidelines, Nick Bishop examines the mechanics of the outstanding All Black’s distributing No 9 Aaron Smith’s style of play.
Who won the joust of styles at number 9 in Paris? – Part 1Nick Bishop examines the mechanics of how the different No 9 styles can work in harmony with the new breakdown guidelines. Part 1 of 2 articles focuses on the strong and powerful French No 9 Antoine Du Pont’s style of play.
How to take the short-cut to success off first receiverThe flat or short ball to the ‘forward’, and the ball out of the back door to another back-line distributor, which is more productive? Nick Bishop adds some weight to the ‘forward’ ball in this week’s article.
