Introduction
In the modern game the Blitz Defence has become a key consideration for all attach coaches. There are a number of hybrid types of Blitz Defence but they all share one thing…line speed. In this analysis we’ll look at some attack principles that are designed to break down the Blitz. The examples have all bean taken from the second round of test matches played in the Southern Hemisphere on Saturday night.
Hard Lines
In order to get the defence on the back foot modern day forwards need to able to run hard lines off their scrum half to bend or break the defence. This clip shows the French flanker Kelian Galletier running a hard line off the acting half Geoffrey Doumayrou. Doumayrou does well to commit the first ruck defender (Luke Whitelock) and Owen Franks is caught flat footed. In this instance Galletier brakes the line but even if he just bent the line it puts the attack on the front foot and is a way of trumping line speed.
Phase Shapes
Off the back of an effective hard line carry teams are now running phase shapes designed to manipulate the defensive line. These shapes are usually spearheaded by ball playing forwards with backs playing out the back as links to the edge attackers. In this clip Adam Coleman is the ball player finding Bernard Foley out the back of Izack Rodda. Foley then drags the Irish defence laterally and Kurtley Beale drops under Foley and splits the Irish defenders.
Pack Pressure
All good teams have the ability to put their opponents under pressure in the set piece. When you have a set piece possession close to the opposition line it doesn’t make sense to pass the ball once or twice behind the gain line inviting the blitz to recover territory.
This clip is a great example. The game is in the balance and South Africa have possession close to England’s try line. The Springbok flyhalf Handre Pollard helps his pack by popping up on the blind side and drawing attention from England’s back rowers Brad Shields and Nathan Hughes. This gives the Springbok pack an advantage and they capitalise marching the England pack and drawing a penalty try.
Counter Attack
The Kiwis are excellent at getting numbers behind the ball so they can launch counter attacks. When the game is in this transition phase it’s difficult to set a blitz defence to even in kick chase the defence may be forced to jockey (slide). This gives good attackers time on the ball and that’s all talented players need to hurt defences. This clip shows the play starting with Jordie Barrett making the decision to avoid contact and keep the ball alive. Damian McKenzie then uses his footwork to draw defenders and link up with his outside backs and Barrett is rewarded for his support play.
Strike Plays
Strike plays are great way to launch the attack and every defence can be unpicked by precisely run strike plays. The good thing about striking from set play is that the attackers know exactly how the defence will behave. In this clip England know the Springboks play a flat 4 blitz with their fullback shutting the gate. So England run one of their favourite strike plays to hold up the flat for blitz defenders and isolate Willie le Roux. It’s a play the Canberra Raiders and ACT Brumbies made famous in their golden ages in the mid 1990s…enjoy.
Situational Plays
Regardless of the defence system the game rewards those teams that can read a situation and take advantage of the situation. Good teams always set aside time in their preparation for scenario training. Ireland clearly spent time on this area of the game because as soon as Marika Koroibete was yellow carded they set up a drive and attacked the Wallabies left edge. Have a look at the work off the ball of Johnny Sexton and Andrew Conway. They start on the open side before flooding the blind side and outsmarting the Wallabies blind side defence.
Conclusion
We are very lucky to have so many high quality test matches being played in June. Sometimes it’s hard to keep up with the results let alone the tactics and strategies. Hopefully this analysis helps bridge the gap for schoolboys and enthusiastic coaches who love being students of our great game. Our game is always moving forward.
