Reading the Defence
A defender stays square and doesn’t move early. What does this usually mean?
They are waiting/trying to read the play.
Why doesn’t being the fastest player guarantee success?
Defenders can still read plays, position or time decisions well.
What is the captain’s job when a set goes badly?
Reset/refocus the team.
A team attacks sideways every play. What’s missing?
Forward momentum.
Why must defenders retreat 7m before moving forward?
To give attackers space.
Why is attacking a “jamming” defender risky?
They can shut down two attackers.
or
Put the attacking team under pressure.
What usually matters more near the try-line: speed or patience?
Why is arguing after a mistake harmful?
It slows the next play.
Why is continuously repeating a play dangerous?
More likely defence will predict it.
Why is dummy-half not allowed to score directly from a roll-ball?
To prevent an unfair advantage.
What does it mean if the middle defender keeps sliding outwards?
They’re worried about the wing/width.
Why would speed without support fail?
No passing options.
What kind of communication is needed before a roll-ball?
Early and clear.
What mistake is being made if attackers keep getting touched together?
Spacing
Why do referees penalise teams for slowing the ruck late in games?
To stop time-wasting.
Why might a team attack short even when space looks wide?
To pull defenders in before spreading the ball.
What happens if support runners arrive too early?
Defence is still set and shuts it down. A forward pass. Breakdown of attacking structure.
How does calm leadership affect decision-making?
Allows players to think clearly under pressure.
Why does a fast roll-ball mean nothing without movement?
No defenders are engaged.
In the final minute, your team is leading by one try. The opposition starts rushing up early but times it well enough that the referee doesn’t penalise them. What is the smartest attacking response and WHY?
Use dummy-half movement and short passes to draw rushing defenders in, because it punishes early pressure and creates space behind/wide of them.
An attacking team notices the defensive line stays flat, connected, and doesn’t rush early, even when the ball is played quickly. What does this tell you about the defence’s confidence and what is the smartest attacking adjustment to break them down?
It shows the defence is confident and organised, so the attack should use patience, engage defenders through the middle and change the point of attack rather than forcing wide plays (don't just spread the ball use dump splits, wraps, sweepers, roosters, etc.)
Why does good timing make average speed effective?
It forces defenders into play before they’re ready.
Late in a tight game, your team scores off an unplanned play. Some players want to repeat it, while others want to go back to the original game plan. What should the leader communicate next and WHY is this decision critical?
The leader should quickly decide whether to adapt or reset and clearly communicate that choice, because uncertainty causes hesitation and kills momentum.
An attacking team is gaining metres but never scoring. They keep winning the ruck but get touched before passing. What is the key tactical mistake being made and what ONE adjustment fixes it?
They are attacking without engaging defenders. Adding a decoy or delayed support runner would force defenders to commit and create space.
Your team earns a penalty on the 7m line, but the defence retreats extremely quickly and sets early. Why is taking a quick tap still valuable and what mistake should attackers avoid?
It still gives momentum and forces defenders to react, but attackers must avoid rushing or running alone without support.