Defense play

Generally, as coaches, we focus a lot on attack and tackle, but we need to spend some time on defence structures and creating a defensive pattern to cut down space.

Traditionally teams have used a pendulum defense, but as there is little kicking in junior rugby 13-2 starts to make more sense.

We need both a good defensive strategy and to be able to make tackles

13+2 Defence Structure

13 + 2 defensive system where they have 13 players up in the front line of defence and 2 in the backfield.

This helps to maintain defensive width and force opponents to kick or lose possession through error or fatigue

13+2 Backfield Defence Structure video

Interesting read for coaches

Pendulum defense

  • Back 3
    • The back three should work together and shift around the field depending on where the ball is.
    • When the ball is on one side of the pitch, the winger on that side must come up, join the defensive line and mark their opposition winger.
    • This leaves a gap in behind the winger where a kick would be very dangerous, therefore the 15 must shift across to cover this space.
    • The Blindside wing moves to fullback
  • Scrumhalf
    • The 9 typically works as a sweeper behind the defensive line.
    • They are there to cover any small breaks in the line or short kicks.