I like to create my own practices and wanted one that encourages all the basic tenets of attack support/offload play. I call it the Rondo because I watched Barcelona FC practice and they did a very simple one touch game with attackers in a circle and defenders in the middle trying to intercept the ball. It led to very high levels of skill under varying degrees of pressure, so I used that concept to design this practice.

The idea is the attackers need to score. If they do score a try then they immediately pass the ball backwards and carry on play. Defenders should also attempt to get back ‘inside’ and back to their start points.

It can be grab or full tackle.

The first two videos are 3 attackers and 2 defenders.

Video 1

The practice encourages movement left, right and behind the ball.

Defenders: 

Make sure they are displaying the basics. Hands up. Heads Up. On their toes. Square. First movement forwards from every start point. Talking to each other.

Attackers:

Hands up ready to receive ball. Players left and right of the ball as much as possible, so once an attacker has passed, he/she moves behind or outside the ball carrier to create an option and move a defender.

Video 2

The Rondo Practice with @JarrydHayne, Pio and Noni.

The third video shows 3v3 and this practice can be made wider and deeper to add numbers in attack or defence.

Video 3

The Rondo Practice with two 120kg forwards moving gracefully.

I have run this practice a few times when you get to 7 v 7.

I stop the attack if it’s going nowhere or defenders deal with it to get a turnover, otherwise let them play and be happy with chaos.

Remember, practices are there to practise so mistakes should be embraced.

I’d be delighted to hear your thoughts and comments you have on the above. Please post any comments  in the section below.

Vei Lomani