defence

Question
In coaching a defence line to players , what is the best way that all players in the squad will buy into it. Break down obviously is critical , communication and tackling technique,drift or other system what drills are there that would help a team in this phase in the game that has over taken how the game is played .
Any feed back is very much appreciated

Answer
Hi David,

There are  a lot of questions here so I will try to keep it as simple as I can.

First Drift Defense: go to this link.

http://guide.rugbyrugby.com/Rugby Sections/Coaching/DriftDefense15s.asp

Below is a past answer to a similar question about tackling:

How to tackle: If you focus on the line of the players shorts / jersey or the string of their shorts then size will not be an issue. If a player is really big then letting them go buy and tackling from behind and sliding down the legs will bring them down. A firm grasp around the waist then drop down with all your might while squeezing their legs together.

Your head should go to the side that is "out of the way". If the player is running at you going to the left you head should go to the right side and vice versa. If the guy is running directly at you it would be best to put you head on the side the guy hold the ball but really don't over think it on that angle. The big thing is to drive your shoulder into the guys gut or lower sternum.

When tackling from the side the rule of thumb is "cheek to cheek" face to butt.

Here is a simple method for improving your tackle. When a player is moving towards you (or vice versa) do not look at their body as a whole, instead focus on the point of center between their hips. Often a coach will tell you to "eyeball" the "string of their shorts". This focus will allow your brain to only register the runner's center of gravity: the "mass" of their torso or core. No matter what a runner's arms, legs or head does the torso is usually stagnant.

Keep your feet active, stay on your toes either moving towards them or running in place. Close the space between you and the runner swiftly but stay in control. This is to limit the runner's options as much as possible. If you over commit to running into the tackle the player has a better chance of stepping you.

Focus on the "string of their pants" and drop your center of gravity to set up the hit. Bend at the knees, eyes up, straight back, hips lower than your shoulders like a prop in a scrum. Aim the shoulder to that string."Punch" into the players core with your shoulder and wrap the player up with your arms. Drive hard with little punchy steps of your legs.

To summarize:

1. keep the feet active "live"
2. focus on the "string of their pants"
3. drive the shoulder through the "string of their pants"
4. wrap the player up and drive with the legs in short steps.

Don't try to pick the player up, this is dangerous and will probably get you penalized. Drive hard with the shoulder and legs

This link to UTube is VERY good:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MQJ39bbq2uU

As for "buying into it" It is important to get across that in rugby next to the scrum the defensive line is the most team orientated factor of the game.

The defensive line is like a military exercise. You depend on your buddy and they depend on you. The buy is should come from the fact they they should not want to loose. Proper spacing via visual and communication skills and a sense of accountability.

"Accountability is taking responsibility for an act before it is done". Your players get to space out on defense and announce to their team mates: "I am here and I am marking the guy with the blond hair/the tall guy/ the short guy etc etc." This does a few things. It makes your player own the ground he is on. He has declared his intention of holding that ground. It means a player cannot hide and other player can consider that spot defended and either take a position inside or outside him.

It also puts the opposition player on the spot. He now has a guy who is absolutely clear that he is marking him. A great mental advantage.

Which brings me to this point - a team that does not call his position and the player he is marking is probably doing so because of a lack of confidence. Go back to "How to Tackle" until be is confident.

Weather using drift defense or man on man the confidence and ability to communicate is primary. A poorly executed drift defense can be cleaned up with great communication. A perfectly executed drift defense with zero communication will falter and fail.

The communication is for when things are going bad not just for when things go as planed.

There needs to be a level of trust between the players and them with you. Because it may not be realized how effective a defensive line is (or how bad) until it is put to the test.