Rugby Contact

Breakdown Contest — 2v1

Practise the contest at the breakdown — attackers try to secure, defenders try to poach.

20 minDuration
9 playersGroup size
AdvancedDifficulty
10×10 mSpace needed
Rugby ballsEquipment

Setup

Ball carrier on the ground with ball presented. 1 attacker securing. 1 defender entering.

Instructions

  1. Attacker drives over the ball and secures.
  2. Defender tries to legally poach — must enter from their side, stay on feet.
  3. Referee call is made — ball is won or turned over.
  4. 5 reps per player in each role.

Coaching Points

✓ Securing player: body over the ball, low hips.
✓ Defender: arrive on feet, bind on the ball.
✓ Both: stay legal — no hands on the floor.

Progressions

→ 2 defenders vs 2 attackers.
→ Add the scrum half — speeds the process.
→ Ball must be played within 3 seconds or turnover.

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breakdown contest poach advanced
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