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Will ‘the new breakdown’ encourage the return of the counter-ruck?Following on from his previous article, Nick details if these articles of rugby law are respected, alongside the requirement to maintain a body position with shoulders no lower than hips, considers there is every possibility of a new picture of the ruck emerging.
Is the breakdown really a ruck anymore?World Rugby is still wrestling with the issue of what happens, and what should by law happen after a tackle takes place. In the 1st of a series of articles, Nick Bishop breaks down the issues and possible solutions starting with the ‘jackal’ – the defender who tries to pick the ball up immediately after the tackle has been completed.
When is the tip-on pass most effective?The art of attacking is the art of creating and utilizing space. Pushing the ball ever wider to find the space is therefore, no longer as effective as it once was. Analyst Nick Bishop looks at how teams have started instead to look at ways to create small pockets of space in which to attack in the middle of the field, without using the whole width of the pitch.
Where is the sweet spot for the box kick?In most instances the touchline is usually the defence’s best friend’. However, as Nick Bishop points out there are specific situations where the touch-line is most definitely not the defence’s friend. Most of these are connected with the kicking game especially the box kicking game off number 9 (a common feature of exit strategy in the modern game).
Why you have to go long in order to get wideBefore the start of the ground-breaking Super Rugby Aotearoa competition in 2020, a host of stringent new breakdown protocols were introduced at the breakdown. The shape of the new game is still emerging, but Analyst Nick Bishop shows there is strong evidence that the smarter attacking teams are working out how to create an advantage under the new rules.
Red Zone Kicking adds to No 9 RoleThe new breakdown laws have resulted in more kicking especially from the No 9.
This week Analyst Nick Bishop looks at how this No 9 kicking has spread to the Red Zone’ at ruck time.
How to attack the short zones from restartsLike the Receiving team, the Attacking team can also take advantage of the kick-off ‘hang time’ as Nick Bishop highlights in this week’s Analysis and the ‘Race for the Space’.
How to cure the blight of scrum penalties in modern RugbyWhy have today’s scrums resulted in more penalties and less usable ball than in amateur rugby days. And it is not due to a lack of technique as Nick Bishop explains why in this week’s analysis.
How to expose the ‘spare man’ in defenceLocating the spare defender is the short-hand for deciding the direction of attack on the next play. In this week’s analysis, using a recent European Cup game as an example, Nick Bishop looks how an attack can exploit defending team’s ‘receiver’ role at Lineout time.
How to create breathing space on restartsThe concept of hang-time can be used as a strategy by both the kicking and the receiving team on restarts as Nick Bishop highlights in this week’s analysis.
Identifying weaknesses from restartsRestarts are one of the biggest momentum-changers in the game of Rugby. In the recent Tri-Nations series in the games between Argentina and Australia, the Pumas enjoyed a lot of ‘pay’ out of their restarts. Analyst Nick Bishop, reconstructs some of the thinking behind their choices.
Why tackling has become high stakesThe hold-up tackle is still very much on the cutting edge of team’s defences. Analyst Nick Bishop looks at how it has had to transform itself in order to remain there.
Changing perceptions at scrum-time: All Blacks-Pumas - the SequelThe challenge facing the All Blacks’ coaching staff and players after the previous Pumas match was to reverse the perception of the left side of their scrum. Nick Bishop explains how they accomplished this in definitive style.
Why the All Blacks front row is in a bindDuring their recent Rugby Championship match, the Argentenian scrum had the All Black’s scrum in a real ‘Bind’ as Nick Bishop explains. It has created some questions that need to be answered, a scrum selection bind that needs to be broken.
How to manipulate the short-side from lineoutThe lineout drive is a more robust, manageable platform for set-piece attack than the scrum, especially if the short-side is the target area as Analyst Nick Bishop highlights in this week’s article.
How to deal with the rush hour in the red zoneIt is no coincidence that the recent upswing in France’s international fortunes have coincided with Edwards’ arrival as their ‘minister of defence’. Analyst Nick Bishop details everything you need to know about the immediate impact of ‘the Shaun Edwards effect’.
How to ask searching questions close to the goal-lineMuch of the innovation in the English game has been derived from Exeter. Again, their coaches are not afraid to question assumptions about how the game should be played. This week Analyst Nick Bishop highlights an example of their successful innovation.
Why the small man still has a place in a big man’s worldThere is still a place for the small man in what is fast becoming a very big man’s game and how rugby is better them being on the field. Analyst Nick Bishop explains why in this week’s article.
How to build your D by loading the halfbackNick Bishop illustrates how the halfback is beginning to accrue ever greater importance as a defender folding to cover behind a rushing defensive line.
History brought up to date with the ‘Teabag’Nick Bishop completes the lineout attack options against defensive ‘joints’ through the middle with The ‘Teabag’ and variations of.
How to slice the defence up with the 6+1 from lineout!What do you do when you have established a lineout position deep inside the opposition 22 but don’t have a physical advantage? Create Attack variation as Analyst Nick Bishop explains in this article.
COMO INNOVAR LOS LANZAMIENTOS DE JUEGO DESDE FORMACIONES FIJASAntes del comienzo del torneo de las 6 Naciones 2019, Eddie Jones realliza un par de declaraciones que encienden un gran interés en el evento próximo a comenzar. Seis meses después, Nick Bishop explora cómo está empezando a ocurrir esto.
How to defend the infield kicking gameAnalyst Nick Bishop follows on from his emphasis on keeping the ball on the field of play rather than kicking it over the touch-line, while examining techniques used to either win the ball back in the air, or defend it.
How the exit kicking strategy has moved infield in the modern gameAnalyst Nick Bishop looks at how teams are implementing a more sophisticated exit strategy, one which does not involve kicking the ball straight into touch.
What the new breakdown rules mean for the defence (part 2)In the second part of the article, Analyst Nick Bishop looks at what the new emphasis at the tackle area means for the defence.
Why are the ‘new’ rules creating problems at cleanout in Super Rugby AotearoaThere are no new rules at the breakdown, however there have been some significant changes of emphasis, and some tightening up of refereeing interpretations, which have changed the complexion of the tackle area as Nick Bishop examines how they are affecting teams’ attack in this week’s analysis.
How to use decision-making in contact to help your attackSteven Luatua has become one of the most outstanding technicians in contact work at the ruck in the English Premiership. Work that is vital to his team’s success as analyst Nick Bishop details why in his latest article.
How to beat a bigger team at lineout – part 2Against the All Blacks in last year’s RWC semi final England only lost two of 20 throws, for a very respectable 90% win rate. Analyst Nick Bishop explains how England achieved that result with what Eddie Jones jokingly called “two and quarter receivers”, against the four top operators picked by the All Blacks?
How to create depth at attacking rucksDepth and ‘Verticality’ principles hold true in contact situations after a tackle has been made as Analyst Nick Bishop outlines in this week’s article.
