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The Four Fs Drill

Description

Four Fs stands for Footwork, Fend, Fight, and Finish. The aim of this drill is to explore methods in attack to beating defenders and the gainline whilst maintaining maximum momentum in attack.

Purpose

Focus' on techniques for beating the defender and fighing beyond the gainline.

Learning Outcomes

  • Footwork - Using change in direction and pace to create separation from tackler
  • Fend - Well-timed fend to disrupt tackler's ability to close the space.
  • Fight - Fight to gain space beyond the defender and win the contact battle
  • Finish - Decision-making to complete the phase; ground and present, offload, ground and pop.

Equipment

  • Balls
  • Cones
  • Rucking Pad

Setup

Play in small 3 x 3m space. Defender starts with rucking pad and progression to full tackling where necessary. In groups for 4-5 and rotate through roles of defender and attacker + support players. Target to work in 3 v 1 or 3 v 2.

Instructions

  1. Defender start on one side of grid, attacker on opposite side.
  2. Players rotate through roles and take turns to be attacker, defender or support runner.
  3. Attacker aims to beat defender using the Four F's
  4. Focus players on executing all element - rather than just running past defender
  5. Support runners looking for offload or rapid arrival to ruck position to secure breakdown quickly

Tip: Footwork

Target unbalancing the defender, late changes of direction AND pace will increase chances of beating the tackler by increasing momentum into contact and separation causing the tackler to need to react or even reach.

Tip: Fend

Try different types of fends. Hand-Off: practice hand-offs with each hand, and effective timing to disrupt the tacklers abilty to set for the tackle. Bounce: Focusing on secure ball in body with both arms. Momentum is generated through sudden accelerate into defender and using the arms protecting the ball to 'bounce' the tackler.

Tip: Fight

Rugby collisions between attackers and defenders are won based on who brings the greatest momentum and fight to the contact area. The key is fighting to get beyond the defender everytime in attack.

Tip: Finish

Finishing refers to maintaing the continuity of the attack through finishing strongly. Whether that is a good clean ball presentation on the ground for supporting ruckers, or through a catchable offload. A choice attackers will have in every contact situation.