Current Trends in Top Flight Rugby
A couple of interesting observations of the code from a Coaching newsletter I get:
Current Trends in Top Flight Rugby
Six Nations, Super 14s and Heineken Cup are showcases for the latest coach thinking.
Some of the plays and tactics are simply old ideas in new clothes, others are more challenging.
Dan Cottrell looks at some of the old and new from the Six Nations you can use for your team.
Throwing In
When the hooker draws back the ball before throwing in, it acts as a trigger for the jumpers, unfortunately for both sides.
To avoid the opposition team anticipating the throw, hookers are using a couple of tactics.
1. Throwing with a very short back lift.
This means the ball is drawn back to about level with the eyebrows, before being launched to the front of the lineout.
2. Drawing back the ball slowly and releasing at any stage of the draw back. The opposition jumpers will not know when to go up.
Lean Forward in Scrums
Taller props have struggled somewhat with the new “touch” laws on the engagement.
Because of the distance to engagement has been reduced, they cannot get their hips in line with their knees and are finding themselves compromised in the scrum.
It is noticeable that some teams are now holding back the props before the engagement.
The second and back rows are acting as a counter balance, pulling back on the props, so the props can lean forward on the balls of their feet.
At the back of the scrum, the number eight pulls back on the second row to help their balance.
It is not a new idea.
Mike Cron, the All Black scrummaging guru, has been advocating this style of scrummaging for some time.
Some under 18 sides have also being using it, because the law has been around at this level for a number of years.
