......from the coaches discussion group
In a scissors or switch move, I do not teach that the fly-half run at the defending inside centre (IC).
If the fly-half did run at the IC and a switch was executed, chances are that the recipient of the ball would run into the defending fly half.In a scissors move involving the fly-half and IC, the purpose is to beat the defending fly-half by changing the direction of the ball at the last possible second.
In my mind two things must be done by the ballcarrier (the fly half in your example) before a properly executed scissors/switch move can have a chance at success.
First, the defending fly-half must be convinced to stay on the ball carrier by initially running at her. Just before ball distribution, the ball carrier should side-step to the side of her supporting IC - close enough to the defender so that the defender not only stays with the ballcarrier but also must change her balance and direction opposite to the (soon-to-be) new direction of the ball.
Second, it is also crucial that the supporting IC (the one who will receive the ball from the fly-half) keep her opposite (the defending IC) in her original channel.
Again, this is done by initially running *at* the defender followed with a last second sidestep, and ACCELERATION into the ball. In a textbook scenario, the defending fly-half will have been forced to commit to the initial ball carrier, possibly even tacking her (thus creating a gap for the supporting IC to run through) while the defending IC will not have the chance to adjust to the quick change in direction.
The scenario you described...having the fly-half run at the defending IC...is used, at least by me, to create a two-on-one on the defending IC, and springing the supporting IC wide, not back inside.
.Now, how would you defend the play (scissors or switch) you described?
Do you advise the defenders to swap their marks?
(Sounds impractical if the play is well-executed.) Or do you rely on a forward ,or worst case, the fullback, to get the receiver?
I presume that swap their marks; means the defending fly-half will have the responsibility of marking the IC. Yes, it sound impractical, but that is what I teach.
We tend to refer to it as staying in your channel
Of course this requires that the two defenders communicate properly and both can see the play developing.
At club level, perfectly executed switches are rare and so it is possible to defend, with reasonable success, most attempts But keep options open...if the defending fly-half can get to her opposite well before there is any chance that a successful switch can take place(i.e., ball distribution should happen close to the tackle line) she should simply tackle the ballcarrier.
Players will have to learn to judge various scenarios. O.K. - we've been through this before,It's not a fly half, its a first five eighth ,it's not an IC its a second five eighth.
Now to the move. I've never coached it, and never will.
The reasons. It will only work against an ordinary defence. The good defences know to cover from the inside out, so the second five is nearly (micheal Jordon kind of 99.9% nearly) destained to run into a rapidly emerging flanker or number eight or inside back following the ball out.
When you use such a move with the (hopefully) penetrative player running in a direction back towards the origional phase all you can really hope to achieve is a target for the forwards.
The more passes between half back and the (hopefully) penetrative player - the less likely it is that the target will be positive.(positive equals in front of gain line negative equals behind it)
Since the ball is ultamately at second five - I'd prefer the first and second five standing closer together, and a 10 meter or so flat firm pass direct to a second five running hard an straight.
This leaves a (normally) very positive target for the forwards - and the first five can loop around to the out side shoulder of the penetrative player(hopefullywith depth - just incase the second five can get hands through the tackle).
Sissor move, as per your discription are best left to be add libbed by the players, because if they are switched on enough to call it themselves(at lets face it calling a switch in combat is not the hardest thing to do)they will also be switched on enough to recognize when it's a good option.
To me a switch if called for a set move needs to be done wider (second five switching an angleing back center - or even wider involving a full back in the line) if you want a chance at making a good break.
And the penetrative player should be used switching outwards rather than in.
As hopefullty the distributave player will 'fix' the naturally drifting defence with his or her initially inwards slanting line.As for inside or outside shoulder - run straight for the whites of their eyes - if they (the defensive player your trying to fix) looks at the ballcarrier - then they are fixed - and yours to exploit.
Hi folks,I have a quick extension to this play that you all probably know about but I'll tell anyway.
I call it DSF (Dummy Switch, Fullback)Here the 2 centres run the lines for a switch (instead of fly-; and IC).The attacking IC makes a dummy switch with the OC (ie pretends to pass but holds ball) then runs at gap between defending IC OC.
2 things can happen here.
1. Both the defending IC and OC go for the attacking IC, where the IC passes the ball outside to the FB that is charging into the gap outside the defending OC or
2. The defending IC tries to stop and tackle attacking OC, defending Oc is horribly confused and is in no-mans land and the attacking IC runs between the defending IC and OC.
There are probably other options that happen but these are the only 2 I've experienced in a game. Switches are effective at either changing direction or setting up another phase from set play. They are especially useful if an outside centre or fullback has taken the ball too close to the sideline for an effective pass to the winger.
But I do have some variations to the 5/8-IC switch which have workedwithsome degree of success (clean line breaks or making it past advantage line).
1. Double switch - takes a lot of practice to get the timing right, and there are two variants. Both use the blindside winger. Remember to tell your troops to keep the ball in both hands and out in front of the body at all times.The first commences with your common garden variety 5/8-IC switch.
The IC then (almost as soon as s/he gets their hands on the ball) switches with the blind winger. The IC holds up any cover-defence, while the defending inside backs are a little off balance, ensuring at the least that the blindwinger doesn't get smashed.
You may like to substitute the blind winger with amean, ugly, rampaging No.8.The second uses the same pattern, but you dispense with the firstswitch.
The IC runs his usual switch line, and the 5/8 shows them the ball as per usual, but instead of passing to the IC, pops a pass (shoulder height, straight up) for the blind winger to run onto (his running line is inside his 5/8s shoulder).
This is where timing is important, any delay from the blind winger will be fatal to both the move and himself/herself. Don't try these in a game until they're perfect at training - the last thing forwards want to see is pointy-headed backs dicking about with hard-won ball behind the gain line and losing it. If you can, practice them against the forwards (or another backline) to get the running lines right and to get used to where your defence will/should be (never the same place)
.A couple of points I have on scissors1) Too often I see the player make the pass in the direction of the scissor.Player one is running to the right, player two is going to cut back to the left.
Player one must turn to the right and turn the shoulders for the pass.The defense must be convinced that the ball is still moving right, not about to come left.
2) A very effective scissor I have used/seen/watched the all blacks do is the 2 - 4 scissor. 2 and
3 (the centers) convince everyone the backline is moving sideways and then the wing comes busting through at about the gap between the original starting spot of the centers. Extremely effective when there is speed.
The backline is forced in one direction, and you should be able to get to the gap before the flankers have filled the hole. A trailing weak wing allows you to pull your fullback out of the soon to be gap andgives the scissoring wing the next opportunity for a two on one with either the oncoming defensive fullback or trailing defensive weak wing.