Backline Plays From Dike Ajiri

Against modern defenses, the options for the offensive backline is limited. Against an average or higher defense, the offensive backline will probably never advance the ball past the gainline let alone make a long break.

That being stated I’d like to discuss the options for the backline from first phase:

Scrum Right (backline out to the left) or Scrum Left (backline out to the right) from behind our 22 meter line; Offensive options are:
1. Kick for touch
2. Kick for field position. This means kicking deep to the left wing or right wing putting the retreating wing in a position where they’ll have little time and support. This ensures a tackle for the kicking team or forces the opposition to kick out of bounds. This is achieved by reading the placement of the opposition’s deep three and responding accordingly.
3. 6 in. If the scrum is close to the sideline the wing will be coming into this area often, if the 6 in play is called or not. This forces the opposition’s opposite wing to think about defensing the run and kick.
4. 1-2 crash
5. 1-2 scissors
6. 2-3 scissors

Scrum Center from behind our 22 meter line: This is certainly debatably depending on the strengths/weaknesses of your team. If you have a solid scrum, go backs left and your offensive options are:
Right hand blind. 8 Man picks up and before contact dishes to the scrum half whom before contact passes to the flyhalf. Yes, the flyhalf. The Flyhalf did line up in backs left but AFTER the scrum half puts in the ball in the scrum the Flyhalf times it to run the right side. Options are then to run if open, pass to the wing or if even #’s defending, kick deep.
Although most people consider any running from behind your own 22 risky, with the opposition’s wings and fullback have to cover the deep kick, running opportunities are greatly enhanced.
The same options listed as the ones for Scrum Right or Left.

Scrum Right (backline out to the left) or Scrum Left (backline out to the right) from our 22-40 meter line; Offensive options are:
1. 6 in
2. 1-2 crash
3. 1-2 scissors
4. 2-3 scissors
Kick for field position. This means kicking deep to the left wing or right wing putting the retreating wing in a position where they’ll have little time and support. This ensures a tackle for the kicking team or forces the opposition to kick out of bounds. This is achieved by reading the placement of the opposition’s deep three and responding accordingly.
3. 6 in. If the scrum is close to the sideline the wing will be coming into this area often, if the 6 in play is called or not. This forces the opposition’s opposite wing to think about defensing the run and kick.

Scrum Center from behind our 22-40 meter line (Backline left). Your offensive options are:
Continue to run Right Hand Blind as described previously for Scrum Center.
The same options listed as the ones for Scrum Center.