We have no defensive line
Defenders scattered, gaps everywhere, everyone waiting to see what happens
Why it happens
- They've never been shown what a line looks like or why it matters.
- Everyone chases the ball carrier, so nobody covers the space next to them.
- Nobody talks, so each defender is guessing what the others will do.
- Some players hang back because they're nervous about tackling. A line gives them a job they can do.
What to say
✓ Say this
- “Look left, look right. Can you see your neighbour?”
- “Up together!”
- “Talk to the player next to you.”
- “Great line! Nobody got through.”
✗ Not this
- “Just tackle someone.”
- “Get the ball!” to every defender at once.
- Blaming one player for a gap the whole line left.
- Shouting instructions mid-play from the touchline.
The drill ladder
Move a group up a level only when they hit the "ready for next level" sign. It's fine for groups to be on different levels.
Line walk
How it works
- Defenders stand in a line, an arm's length apart. One player is the ball carrier, 10m in front of them.
- The ball carrier walks forward or sideways. The line moves together to stay in front of the ball, keeping its gaps. No touching, just shadowing. Swap the ball carrier every minute.
- Add a rule: the player nearest the ball calls “ball!” and the others call their neighbour's name.
Coaching points
- Eyes up, look left and right to check the line.
- Gaps stay the same. If one player moves, everyone moves.
- Talk the whole time. A quiet line is a broken line.
Ready for the next level when: The line moves together, gaps stay even, and everyone is talking.
Mirror shoulders
How it works
- An attacker and a defender face each other in a narrow channel, about 5m apart.
- The attacker walks or jogs side to side and tries to get past. The defender mirrors them, staying in front.
- The defender scores a point by making a two-handed touch. Swap after 20 seconds.
Coaching points
- Line up on the attacker's inside shoulder.
- Small, quick steps. Don't cross your feet.
- Close the space, but don't rush in and get stepped.
Ready for the next level when: Defenders stay in front and make the touch most of the time.
Up together gates
How it works
- Defenders stand on a cone line. Attackers start 15m away with a ball.
- When the attack starts, the defender in the middle shouts “up!” and the whole line moves forward together to the 5m cones.
- Then they play touch. Count how many times the line arrives at the cones together.
Coaching points
- One trigger word, one caller. Everyone moves on “up”.
- Nobody runs ahead of the line. A dog leg is a gap.
- After the touch, everyone gets back into line quickly.
Ready for the next level when: The line moves up together on the call nearly every time.
3v3 line touch
How it works
- 3v3 touch in a narrow area. Defence must start every play in a line.
- The defence wins a point for every touch made with all three defenders level. The attack wins a point for a try.
- Swap roles after 5 plays.
Coaching points
- Every defender has a job. Inside defender, middle, outside.
- Talk before the ball moves, not after.
- Ask the defence after each set where the gap came from.
Ready for the next level when: The defence stays connected and talking for 5 plays in a row.
Line defence game
How it works
- A normal touch game. Each team picks a defensive caller for the half.
- Defence earns a bonus point for each set where they stop the attack with everyone back in the line.
- Switch the caller every few minutes so everyone takes a turn at leading the line.
Coaching points
- The caller says “up”, “left” or “right”. Everyone else repeats it.
- Get back in line straight after every touch.
- Once it's solid in touch, use the same calls in your contact games at the right level of the ladder.
Ready for the next level when: Defence talks and resets into a line without being told, and you see it in matches.
Common coaching mistakes
- Only coaching defence through tackling. The line is about position and talk first.
- Lines that are too long to manage. Start with 3 or 4 players, not the whole squad.
- Never giving the line a trigger word. “Up!” tells everyone when to move.
- Praising the big tackle but not the player who closed the gap.