Fly Half

Question
I would like to know some strategies for playing Fly-Half. I can Kick and pass and I have been kind of thrown into the position and can't quite control the game properly yet. Some pointers would be nice.

Cheers

Answer
Colin,

The basics:

The fly half -- #10 is usually one of the more experienced rugby players on the team.  After receiving the ball from the Scrumhalf, the Fly half directs the backline attack.  He will pass the ball, kick, or run to take advantage of the opponents' mistakes.  The fly half also sets up the backline for the defense (in reality a more difficult job than setting up an attack)

Basic Playing Philosophy

-Basic Concepts:
1.  Go Forward
2.  Provide Support
3.  Ensure Continuity
4.  Attack where they are not

-Attack with aggression and support with the scrum winning the ball and putting pressure on the opposition, and the backs capitalizing on opportunities.

-Defend per plan and in-depth.

Back Play: The backs have six goals during a game

1.  Receive the ball from the forwards
2.  Aggressively advance the ball beyond the gain line
3.  Provide support for each other and the forwards
4.  Create a psychological advantage by being aggressive and displaying superior skill
5.  Provide defense in depth
6.  Tackle the opposition to the ground

The fly half should:

-Possess a tactical awareness of the options available in attack and defense (this is a combination of knowledge of the sport and the on-field experience to recognize the situations when the options arise)
-Possess sound judgment and the ability to select the correct option (this unfortunately comes with experience)
-Possess the skill to execute the appropriate option (running attack, strategic kicking, man-on defense)
-Have a high level of fitness, agility, balance, quickness, and speed
-Possess the ability to make both short and long passes in order to penetrate opposition defenses
-Possess the ability to make several types of kicks ("wiper,?"up and under", "grubber" and "chip") with either foot.
-Be unselfish (one of the fly half's most important jobs is to get the ball out to the back line in a timely and controlled manner)
-Demonstrate leadership on the pitch and manage the back line

The fly half should have the following specific skills:

1.  Ball Handling:
a.  To catch variety of passes (the scrum half will not always get a good pass off from set play)
b.  To pass ball quickly and accurately with varying length and speed
c.  To pick up ball from the ground at speed


2.  Positioning:
a.  To know how to set the correct alignment depth and width of the backline
b.  To know how to vary alignment according to the dictates of the situation (attack in the mud, defense when it is windy)
c.  To reposition the back line quickly and efficiently based on the situation
d.  To be tactically aware (know what is going on the field)

3.  Kicking:
a.  To kick accurately on attack and defense with either foot and under pressure if necessary
b.  To know how to use a variety of kicks (Clearing kick to touch, grubber and chip, feint, line, box, wipers, and drop kicks)
c.  To kick accurately with varying lengths and height and always in control (fly half kicks must be under control)

4.  Communicating: Be able to communicate the appropriate planned moves in attack and defense as the situation dictates

5.  Running:
a.  To accelerate quickly off the mark
b.  To run with control, change pace, side step, change direction and swerve
c.  To support other backs in attack and defense
d.  To vary pace and sprint over short distances

6.  Contact:
a.  To tackle
b.  To possess a determination to be involved in defensive work
c.  To collect ground ball

Some additional fly half notes:

1.  The fly half is an essential tactical decision-maker; as such, the ability to choose the right option is required.

2.  The Fly half needs to have a good understanding of other positions and of the tactics to be used in both the defense and attack.

3.  The Fly half should be in control of the back line moves.

4.  The backline is dependent on the fly half's alignment, skills, fitness, and option choices.

5.  The Fly half's command of defense (and its patterning) is just as important as attack.

Control of the backline:

The backline is the vehicle for the attack.  From the stable platform of the forwards, the ball is transferred to the back line.  Good fluid passes, support, and communication are all important for the backs to advance beyond the gain line.  

a.  The fly half should call the plays.  The play calls should be based on who has the ball, who gets the ball, and which sub-lane is attacked.

b.  The numbering system below is a very common.  For backline plays, these are the player numbers:

1-fly-half (lines up in lanes 7 or 8)
2-inside center (lines up in lanes 9 or 10)
3-outside center (lines up in lanes 11 or 12)
4-strong side wing (lines up in lanes 13 or 14)   
5-full back (lines up between  backs 2 and 3)
6-weak side wing (lines up in lanes 3 or 4 or closer, depending    on touch)
7-scrum-half (lines up in lanes 1 or 2)
8-play from scrum (eight-man)
9-play from scrum (flanker)

c.  The lanes are numbered from the decision circle (ruck, maul, scrum, lineout, etc.).  The right side lanes are even numbered starting with zero and the left side is odd starting with one.

5  3  1  srcum  2  4  6  8  10  12

d.  The following is an example of the lanes with the weak side being on the left.  Typical plays would be a 3-5-10, which would be a fullback crash (5 receives the ball) from the outside center into sub-lane 10, a 2-4-20 in which the fly-half loops wide outside of the wing, or a kick 2-4-22 in which the fly would make a cross field kick to the touch line for the wing.

e.  Lanes are the basis for the development of basic attack formations from set play (scrum) or loose play (ruck/maul).  The fly half needs to keep the backs informed of the play.  The inside center has to keep his eyes open for gaps in the defense.  The primary exception will be when the ball is mid-field.  In that case, the back line will split with the backs spreading out to both sides of the field.

f.  Successful Rugby is based on ball position on the field.  Always try to move the ball to and beyond the gain line.  You can not score if the ball does not pass the gain line.  The ball should always be in front of the forwards, either through kicking, or through the backs running the ball forward.  It is very difficult for forwards to move backwards, get on side, and then properly support

g.  Mentally divide the field into thirds (three zones): attack, contested, and defense.  Each zone has different considerations for moving the ball forward.  In the attack zone, maintaining aggressive possession is the most important concept (kicks should be conservative, passes accurate, support consistent, next phase being initiated).  In the defense zone, to prevent scoring by keeping the opposition from advancing the ball or maintaining possession of the ball is the most important concept (long kicks for touch, short lineouts, and solid attacking line play).  The contested area should be used to mentally change from offense to defense and defense to offense.

h.  Within each zone, there is a primary team action:

Contested zone:  get the most players to the ball the quickest
Attack zone:  aggressive advancing the ball with support
Defense zone:  maintaining possession as team sets up for the attack

i.  The most fundamental tactic in rugby is attacking to the area where the defense is the thinnest, or weakest.

j.  The backline tactician (usually the inside center) should watch the other team to see where their players go and how they react.  Since a tactician should have a feel for the game of rugby, he can generally predict what the other team will do.  On kick-offs for example, most teams will kick to the forwards in an area ten to fifteen meters from the centerline.  Most teams expect a kick-off to go to the forwards.  If you strengths are in the backline, then you should kick deep to the backs.

There is a lot more to fly half, but I hope this gives you a successful start.


Thank you,

Deane Shephard
Stuttgart RFC