Breakdown B

Written By William Coupar

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 - SKYE BALL

Age-and-Stage Note: Adjust game to be touch and remove kicking and breakdown condition for younger year groups. Focus on principle of beating players with and without the ball to find space.

ZONE 2 - BARBARIANS

Possible Conditions:

  • Attackers must walk after 1st touch making and defenders can tackle and complete a conditioned breakdown (aim to get a depowered tackle and breakdown). If attacker passes then back to running and touch until the next 1st touch

ZONE 3 - Skills & Technique

Skill Activity (7 mins): NEED SOMETHING FOR BREAKDOWN

Setup grid for 1v1s (10x10m), split into a group of attackers and defenders with each group lining up in single file at the side. Set 3 coloured cones i.e. 1x green, 1x orange, 1 x red) along the defending try line. Coach calls a colour, then 1 attacker enters grid from one side, and 1 defender enters after touching the relevant coloured cone (to create a different angle for attacker to assess). Coach feeds the ball to attackers as needed. When finished players return to group and repeat - idea to get similar 1v1 as the below video.

PROGRESSIONS: Make the grid larger/smaller and condition attackers to vary difficulty i.e. defender head start, vary style of pass/kick etc, narrow scoring zone.

Technique Activity (3 mins): NEEDS SOMETHING FOR BREAKDOWN

Simple technique focus on sidestep make a larger grid of cones (or use existing game zones). Players work around the grid performing and alternating a sidestep (or goose step) at each cone.

PROGRESSIONS: Make the grid larger/more reps/increase speed.

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

William Coupar
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Breakdown A