Try at training: play what's in front of you
Try this skill game from Greg Brown. It challenges players to react to what's in front of them and try to deceive their opponents.
Greg Brown coaches a range of sports including rugby union and wheelchair rugby league. Try his skill game which challenges both defence and the attack to confuse and react to their opponents.
Here’s how to set it up:
Set up a small playing area
Organise players into two teams.
This game works well with smaller numbers (4v4 or 5v5).
The attacking team have 3 rounds to attack. After the third round the teams swap.
Level 1 of this game is played non-contact with touch-tackles. After the touch-tackle the ball carrier passes the ball to a teammate.
You can progress the levels of this game by scaling up the contact. Level 2 could use grab or hugby rules.
The rules of the skill game:
The defenders choose how to organise themselves. They then shut their eyes.
Attackers begin their attack.
After 5 seconds, the defenders can open their eyes (coaches can shout open so the defenders are aware).
The defenders must react to where the attackers are and try to stop the score.
How to support players:
This game can challenge attackers or defenders. Depending on the aim of your session, you can change your language or what you’re focusing on.
Challenge the defenders to see how they could line up to easily react to the attackers or deceive the attackers.
Challenge the attackers to organise themselves to deceive the defenders before the defending team shut their eyes.
Why you should try it:
This game works well as a small skill game, potentially as one of the first few activities in your session.
Due to the small size of game, players get more touches on the ball and more chances to defend.
It challenges players to react to what’s in front of them, as well as to try and deceive their opponents.
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