Defensive Theories

So on Tuesday at 7s practice we were doing some defensive work for the new rookies we have picked up this summer. At first Bags had us doing just a small grid, similar to the one you often see used for 2 V 1. Basically your have two lines stand right next to each other and one is offense and the other is defense.

She would call 1 or 2 and that determined the type of defensive work you would be doing. If she called the number 1 your would be doing a close in type tackle where the defense is often setup and ready for you. Usually the grid is only a few feet wide and is super small.

If she called number 2 your were given a bit more freedom and this was simulating the defense not totally being setup and you have a bit more space for creating.

At first we simply talked about using the sideline as your ally (the last man) and using out of bounds to your advantage. Bags also pointed out that using the sideline is great, but you have to use it appropriately. Meaning that you mark your defensive player on their inside shoulder and this forces them to work outwards. If you get overzealous and mark their outside shoulder they can read that and simply cut in on you. Then you have wasted the sideline as an advantage.

The drill was going great, but we noticed that some of the newer players were either over committing or under committing. So I decided to share a theory that Julie McCoy taught us the first year I played West 7s select side. I thought it was an excellent theory and have used it many times in a game.

Ice, Sub and & Super Pressure

These three theories can be used all one or used independently of each other. Be imaginative!

Ice- This is the first step of the whole defensive theory: Imagine your team has just scrummed and is running a back play where the fly half kicks the ball into the other team’s territory. As a team you must advance with haste in your channels and once the player with the ball is located, you must ice. Basically this means settle, get together in a straight line, impenetrable and working together. It does not mean settle as in sit back on your heels and let the action pass you by…it means more to attack on defense once you have settled your team together.

This tactic is often used on kickoffs as well, your team must first tackle the opponent with the ball. Then organizing yourselves to attack on defense to get the ball back commences.

Sub- This step of the defensive process is best if I describe it in a situation: Imagine your team is kicking off and you are the “sniper” or “attacker” for your team. This sniper is usually one of your best tacklers and pretty quick. Their whole job is to make a great tackle with speed, agility and accuracy. Basically they are in charge of putting the fear in the other team from the very first hit of the game. So where does the Ice part come in? (*granted, not all teams use a sniper, so imagine this scenario in a few different ways if that helps)

Ice means approaching the situation with speed, agility and accuracy but at the last minute breaking down and pausing. We are not talking about pausing and stopping all your momentum. This theory is that you access where your opponent is, how high they are, if they are going to put a move on you…etc ALL in the split second before you lay the girl out.

This skill takes plenty of practice because if you take too long and reach the realm of hesitation you will be side stepped and out played in an instant. If you attack to quickly you also risk the embarrassment of overshooting your target. So practice is a must!

Super- This technique in the process if best described as a suppressing attack. This would most often be used in a one on one situation or where someone is chasing down a kick. It is just what is sounds like, a super attack at full speed and full force. You have all seen it when a fullback gets laid out right as they catch the ball by a speedy opponent. This is the same theory, you zero in on the target and without hesitation take care of the problem.

If you were to use all these theories together it would best be described using a kickoff again. Your team chases down the kick in a super defense, closing down all their opportunities. Then you move to a sub defense where you are seeing what lay they are running, if the play is stopped then you simply run an ice defense where you are settled and poised to attack.

I am not an expert of these theories, but have used them often and have found them valuable to pass on to other players. I explained them to the best of my ability and tried to make them applicable to certain situations. Let me know how I did!