Rugby
Defence
Defensive Line Speed
Rugby drill for defence training sessions
Full defensive line practises moving up quickly as a unit to cut off attacking space.
What This Drill Improves
This rugby drill is best for advanced players who need focused work on defence. It works well with 14 players and can be adjusted by changing the space, pressure, or scoring rules.
Setup
Defending 7 vs attacking 7. Defence starts 5 m behind the gain line.
Instructions
- On the go call, defence moves up together as a flat line.
- Attack tries to find gaps or create overlaps.
- If defence misses someone — that player sprints a lap.
- Reset and repeat from each phase of play.
Coaching Points
✓ Line speed must be collective — no one person ahead or behind.
✓ Outside players must match inside player's speed.
✓ Eyes on hips of opposite number.
Common Mistakes to Watch For
- Players losing focus on the main coaching point.
- The drill area being too large or too small for the group.
- Progressing the drill before the basic pattern is clean.
Progressions: Make It Harder
→ Add a kicking option — D must transition to kick-chase.
→ Attack gets one pre-planned move to beat the line.
→ 7v7 live with full rules.
Regressions: Make It Easier
Reduce the number of defenders or make pressure passive for the first few rounds.
Increase the playing space so players have more time to make decisions.
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