Running in defence

The supporting player should:

• observe the attack in front of them and move into a position to defend space
• identify how the attack is set up:

• • where there are more attackers than defenders
  • where there are potential mismatches, e.g. a centre versus a prop
  • attack formation and alignment – are they flat, deep, narrow or wide?

• keep eyes on opposition to react to changes
• communicate attacking set up and gaps/mismatches/alignment to team mates
• reorganise defensive formation quickly to reduce the ball carrier’s options:

• • match up width of defence with width of attack
  • move slower defenders towards the contact point
  • minimise mismatches

• when ready move forward to stop the attack, make an effective tackle and attempt to win the ball back