Lineouts: Both BC and Army used 5 man line out a lot. BC used the lift and drive technique (lifters binding in gut vs rebinding) to get a great 10-12 meter drive. Sadly they did nothing this great drive, chosing instead to pass to the backs when the maul stalled--better options would be to try and restart drive, quick attack weak, box kick or roll ball out. Both lifted 2 pods in defense. BC's scrum half started infield on quick taps causing him to run to tap, turn around and back to fly half wasting 3-4 steps and vital fractions of a second. When ball got to backs it was often always a turnover or really bad ball.
Penalties: Army tried some crazy penalty play and never tried to quick tap. Play took several seconds to setup and of the three I saw2 were turnovers, and one was a try from the 5 meter line. This might have been the best option as the Army offensive scrum sucked ,lineouts were iffy, and BC shut down quick-tap opportunities also Army was down 17-0 most of the match and needed tries not 3 pointers.
Kickoffs: both teams played purposefully on kickoffs. BC lost the game on three consecutive kickoffs to start the second half. They didn't pressure Army enough, let Army play their pattern and lost the game on three kickoffs. BC did try to pressure, but on one the deep kick did not have enough hang time, on another they kicked short (which is useless against a good team) and on the last Army got possession, hit a mid field ruck and busted a 30 yard run. At high levels of rugby slight lapses on kickoffs will lose games.
Scrums: Neither side won clean possession on offensive scrums. Wow offensive scrums nearly impossible to win. You need to work hard to do quick hooks and attack quick. Both teams had their 8 man pulling the second rows back by their waist bands to let the scrums launch into each other a very new techniques.
Tackling: Elite teams never tackle one on one. Defenses always hit the ball carrier two on one. Usually both defenders hitting high and smothering the ball. Tackling drills need to emphasize this technique.
Sunday, September 30, 2007
Observations from Boston College Army Game
I watched Boston College play Army. BC is a solid division 1 team and Army is routinely one of the top programs in America, perennially in the final fours and producing numerous all Americans each year.
They both played good college rugby. Neither played a spectacular game. What was spectacular was that both teams had equal rugby skills, both were athletically similar and both were fundamentally sound because they had great coaching staffs.
The game was a spectacular event Army marched onto the field in step, in form fitting black gold uniforms, BC in maroon and gold. They played on a superb pitch with several hundred fans cheering on. Each had a coaching staff of about 5. The A-side played at 1, with cside opening at 11 and bsides closing the rugby day at 3. With subs and starters each side played about 60 players on the day. Army had 2 more games scheduled on Sunday against Hofstra for their D and E sides. There were trainers, water at each breakdown, and positive comments from players, fans and coaches on both sides. Minus the hugh stadium and thousands of fans this game could have been a top college football game. Had the game been at Army they would have played in their new stadium.
The coaches are paid BC pays their coaches a few grand a season (5-10K) (Harvard pays about 50K a season for its staff for 4 sides) Army's head coach is 'director of rugby' whose sole job is to coach rugby, he probably makes $60K-$90K a year.
Both schools have and explicit mission of character development, and screen their coaches and monitor their players accordingly. Army builds officers to lead soldier, BC is a Jesuit run school, building future Catholic leaders. Check out their websites BC, Army. Both are well funded by their alumni, all players have sharp uniforms, warmups, travel by bus to games and often get hotels before games even for short away trips. Post match events usually have a meal at a school dining hall or catered in their club house. There are lots of moms and dads and family on the side lines.
The most important part of this game is that it had meaning, the BC kids I know worked every single day of the off season to win this match, the players were fit, strong and explosive, the coaches had worked hard creating game plan and techniques to win this game. BC lead 17-0 at the half. For these players, coaches and fans this was the best rugby experience of their lives. This is the rugby experience I would prefer for Miami. Having talked to players and coaches this year I think this is what they want too.
For both programs attaining this level of professionalism, and tremendous player experience it is 100% alumni driven. Sure they have great players and have found great coaches but the constant is the alumni who keep funding, keep interested, and keep coming back for alumni weekend.
At Miami we are 1000 miles away from this rugby experience, but we are approaching it. We the alumni are seeking out coaches, improving the game plan, getting equipment, seeking a field and mentoring presidents and coaches. The current players are taking steps personally to advance their game, they stay in Friday nights, they attend organized off day workouts, they have high school experience. The current players want a competitive rugby experience-to play in meaningful games, have a shot at play-offs, and to perhaps make and all star team.
We have $60K in the bank BC probably has $600K Army probably has $6M. Lets keep trying to not just keep rugby at Miami, lets make it the best rugby experience we can.
Toby
They both played good college rugby. Neither played a spectacular game. What was spectacular was that both teams had equal rugby skills, both were athletically similar and both were fundamentally sound because they had great coaching staffs.
The game was a spectacular event Army marched onto the field in step, in form fitting black gold uniforms, BC in maroon and gold. They played on a superb pitch with several hundred fans cheering on. Each had a coaching staff of about 5. The A-side played at 1, with cside opening at 11 and bsides closing the rugby day at 3. With subs and starters each side played about 60 players on the day. Army had 2 more games scheduled on Sunday against Hofstra for their D and E sides. There were trainers, water at each breakdown, and positive comments from players, fans and coaches on both sides. Minus the hugh stadium and thousands of fans this game could have been a top college football game. Had the game been at Army they would have played in their new stadium.
The coaches are paid BC pays their coaches a few grand a season (5-10K) (Harvard pays about 50K a season for its staff for 4 sides) Army's head coach is 'director of rugby' whose sole job is to coach rugby, he probably makes $60K-$90K a year.
Both schools have and explicit mission of character development, and screen their coaches and monitor their players accordingly. Army builds officers to lead soldier, BC is a Jesuit run school, building future Catholic leaders. Check out their websites BC, Army. Both are well funded by their alumni, all players have sharp uniforms, warmups, travel by bus to games and often get hotels before games even for short away trips. Post match events usually have a meal at a school dining hall or catered in their club house. There are lots of moms and dads and family on the side lines.
The most important part of this game is that it had meaning, the BC kids I know worked every single day of the off season to win this match, the players were fit, strong and explosive, the coaches had worked hard creating game plan and techniques to win this game. BC lead 17-0 at the half. For these players, coaches and fans this was the best rugby experience of their lives. This is the rugby experience I would prefer for Miami. Having talked to players and coaches this year I think this is what they want too.
For both programs attaining this level of professionalism, and tremendous player experience it is 100% alumni driven. Sure they have great players and have found great coaches but the constant is the alumni who keep funding, keep interested, and keep coming back for alumni weekend.
At Miami we are 1000 miles away from this rugby experience, but we are approaching it. We the alumni are seeking out coaches, improving the game plan, getting equipment, seeking a field and mentoring presidents and coaches. The current players are taking steps personally to advance their game, they stay in Friday nights, they attend organized off day workouts, they have high school experience. The current players want a competitive rugby experience-to play in meaningful games, have a shot at play-offs, and to perhaps make and all star team.
We have $60K in the bank BC probably has $600K Army probably has $6M. Lets keep trying to not just keep rugby at Miami, lets make it the best rugby experience we can.
Toby
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.
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.
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