Attacking Breakdown Roles and Responsibilities

Ball Player

It all starts with Ball Player, who should aim to get through and in behind the defender to maintain momentum in attack. If unable to evade contact, the Ball Player should endeavour to take contact on their terms. If unable to offload or keep the ball alive, then they should maintain forward momentum using leg drive and go to ground in a controlled manner. Once on the ground they are permitted to make one immediate, dynamic movement to present the ball.

Responsibilities within the breakdown

• Work to get into space – use Agility Before Contact (ABC)
• Work to get to ground - if unable to offload or keep the ball alive
• Work to present – dynamic ball presentation - protect the ball from opposition
• Work to stay strong – maintain body control throughout presentation
• Work to get up – get back to feet and ready for next phase.

Key Performance Indicators

The Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) below cover the key factors that will enable and develop the skills of the Ball Player. Coaches should consider them when developing Ball Player skills within their coaching programme:

1. Communication pre, during and after contact

Continuous communication with teammates is vital throughout the attacking phases of breakdown. Identifying and communication where support (and threats) are is vital. Players should develop and use a vocabulary of key trigger words that relate to the situation and specific techniques required in the breakdown.

2. Vision, Decision, Action cycle (VDA)

The Ball Player must be aware of where their support is. They must scan the defensive formation and the threats in front of them. They should observe the situation, recognising where defenders are placed, where they are spaced, their numbers, their body shape, potential mismatches, and be able to react accordingly.

3. Movement and running skills

The Ball Player should be able to take contact on their terms. Agility skills are required to help evade defenders. (Balance, foot placement, speed generation, fast, short, dynamic steps, maintained controlled forward momentum)

4. Contact terms

If keeping the ball alive is not an option, then they must recognise when to drop their body height in relation to the defensive threat, putting them in a strong controlled driving position to maintain momentum as they go to ground. The following factors are crucial:

• Carry height – the Ball Player must not give away their intention to go to ground to the defenders too early or carry the ball too high into contact as both decisions may result in the defence gaining the advantage. Ball Players should endeavour to carry in a square and near-horizontal body position (180 Carry).
• Hand off and fend. The Ball Player is permitted to hand off and fend an opponent, provided excessive force is not used.
• Dynamic leg drive – footwork must generate powerful, controlled leg drive, using the large muscles of the lower body to create force and speed into and through the attacking breakdown. This should result in a quicker and more effective breakdown as the defence will be on the back foot.
• Ball carry protection. The Ball Player must always have complete control of the ball. The ball must be carried in a safe manner, not giving the defenders a chance to rip the ball or to effect going to ground and immediate ball presentation.
• Body reshape. The Ball Player will not always be the dominant person in the carry, due to the individual tackle technique and systems used by the defending team. The Ball Player must be able to react and reshape quickly to the defensive forces, land safely and present on their terms.

5. Fight to get the ground (body control, ball protection)

Once the Ball Player has made the decision to go to ground, they must do so in a controlled and dynamic manner with a focus on landing safely. They should stay square and drive down towards the ground landing safely and effectively, minimising the potential for the defence to slow down the presentation movement.

6. Presentation body shape and action

On making contact with the ground, the Ball Player must choose their presentation technique appropriate to the situation, with an aim to provide clean, quick ball to the support. There are several ball presentation techniques, including half-recoil, full recoil, front-on, squeeze ball, rolling recoil, recoil pop, recoil roll ball, dominated presentation.

7. Ball presentation

It is vital that the Ball Player presents the ball in one dynamic movement and does not give the defender(s) a chance to slow or steal possession. Important presentation factors are:

• Rolling shoulder
• Speed and direction of ball from body
• Strong controlled arm movement, keep arms low
• Grip on ball (one or two hands)
• Eyes on ball
• Awareness of support/clearing passer
• Ability to roll, hold or pass the ball.

8. Body control (core strength follow up on ground)

The Ball Player must be able to maintain a strong body position whilst on the ground and in the action of presenting the ball. It is important for the Ball Player to move onto their hip and avoid lying on their back or their front as this can impact presentation quality and provide opportunities for the defence to slow or steal possession. They should also be preparing to get back to feet immediately once the ball has been cleared.

9. Ball out communication

In most circumstances, the Ball Player is in an ideal position to communicate that the ball has left the breakdown, as their focus is on the continual action of the attack. Consequently, they should communicate this to their support.

10. Return to action

Once the ball has been cleared from the breakdown, the Ball Player should return to their feet as fast as possible and return to the next phase of play.