Breakdown A

TIP: We recommend reading Minis Curriculum, Session Planning & Design and Coaching Skills & STEP prior to this sample session. Pitch sizes and teams sizes below adjustable to group sizes/training space.

SESSION FOCUS POINTS:

• Concentrate on good tackle and breakdown technique and habits and use ‘freeze’ and ‘replay’ to coach corrections

• Whilst focus is Breakdown overall contact time for the session should still be controlled and managed i.e. touch games still encouraged for majority of the time, contact for Skills, Technique and closing Games.

• TOP TIP: Condition Touch Games to have some wrestling i.e. when touched, attacker and defender can wrestle for the ball for 5 seconds before play continue - mix between standing wrestle and attacker goes to deck (similar to jackal).

0-15 mins - Coaches choice of Activation games

15-45 mins - Zone Circuit, Groups of 8-10 with 10 mins per zone (Add additional games and session time if larger groups)

ZONE 1 - CALEY BALL

Age-and-Stage Note: Adjust game to be touch and remove kicking and breakdown condition for younger year groups. Focus on principle of gaining extra position when reaching the other half.

Possible Conditions - Use FREEZE-FIRE-PLAY to help defensive alignment

ZONE 2 - WALLACE BALL

Possible Conditions:

• Enforce 9-10-RUN

• Use FREEZE-FIRE-PLAY to help defensive alignment

ZONE 3 - Skills & Technique

Skill Activity (7 mins): Breakdown Race

Groups of 3 with one ball. Group lie down in a line with ball with the middle person. Ball carrier calls ‘Go’ and places the ball towards either player. The other players complete to win the ball (via jackal) or secure/clear the breakdown (via bullet) depending on where the ball is placed. Rotate positions.

PROGRESSIONS: Retain focus on offload if tackled but make the grid larger/smaller and increase to 3v2s, 4v2s etc depending on coach call i.e. first number is attackers, second number is defenders.

Technique Activity (3 mins): Clearing/Jackal Technique Repetitions

Groups of 3 with one ball and one rucking shield to simulate breakdown roles. Player with the ball lies on deck presenting ball, player with shield starts as the defender over the player with the ball. Start by practicing clearout technique focus on positioning and driving through the shield. Move to practicing jackal with shield holder acting as attackig team to contest. Rotate roles within the group in each case.

PROGRESSIONS: Add more decision making by making shield holder more active i.e. do they contest or not?

45-60 mins - Rugby Games, Stay in Groups and use Zones as pitches (Round Robin if time allows)