# Running and Evasion · Rugby Level 2: Elementary

Rugby · Level 2: Elementary · Insporta Book (https://book.insporta.app/rugby/level-2/running-and-evasion/)

How to run with the ball: lines, changes of pace, the swerve and the step, the fend, leg drive, running angles, beating a man, support lines and evasion drills.

## Test 1: The running line

- Good lines decide where the attack hits the defence. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Drifting across squeezes the players outside. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Cutting back catches defenders drifting out. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- It stretches the defence towards touch. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Hitting the inside or outside shoulder leaves a half-gap. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Reading the defence shapes the run. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Decoys pull defenders away from the real carrier. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Wide, drift, plant, cut back. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Running across moves sideways most. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Wide first, then back inside. (Source: General rugby union reference)

## Test 2: Changing pace

- Rhythm changes beat defenders. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Once the defender sets, the burst goes past. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Fast feet freeze the tackler. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- The first steps decide whether the gap is hit. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Arriving at speed makes the gap. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Forward lean and arm drive add speed. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Same speed means a change is needed. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Approach, slow, defender sets, burst. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Rugby players switch between gears. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Slow then burst beats a set defender. (Source: General rugby union reference)

## Test 3: The swerve

- A swerve bends the run at full speed. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Swerving keeps speed on the outside. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- The outside swerve uses the space by touch. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Leaning into the bend keeps balance. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- No braking gives no warning. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Campese made the swerve and goose step famous. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- The fend keeps the tackler off. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Straight, bend, lean, straighten. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- A swerve curves, a step cuts, a turn reverses. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- A smooth curve is a swerve. (Source: General rugby union reference)

## Test 4: Stepping off either foot

- Pushing off the left sends the runner right. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- A one-way stepper is easy to read. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Two cuts in quick succession. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Balance allows a sharp change. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Selling the dummy direction fools the tackler. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Step when the defender commits. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Williams beat defenders with steps off both feet. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Shorten, plant, push, go. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Fast-rushing defenders cannot turn. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- The plant foot is opposite to the direction of travel. (Source: General rugby union reference)

## Test 5: The fend

- An open palm pushes safely. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Fending the head or neck is dangerous. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- A straight arm keeps the tackler away. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- The ball goes in the other arm. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Timing catches the tackler off balance. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- A fend loses nothing if the ball is safe. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Lomu's fend became legendary. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Ball away, read, push, drive on. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Never the face: aim at the chest. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- An open-palm push is a fend. (Source: General rugby union reference)

## Test 6: Footwork and leg drive in contact

- Leg drive keeps the carrier moving forward. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Low body height wins the collision. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Footwork shifts the tackler's target. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- A forward-moving ruck gives quick ball. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Ball security first. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Driving legs make the tackle harder. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Big carriers punch holes in midfield. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Feet, height, target, drive. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Lower is stronger in contact. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Pumping legs keeps the carrier moving. (Source: General rugby union reference)

## Test 7: Running angles

- Attacking a shoulder creates a half-gap. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Hard lines attack the space between defenders. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Turned shoulders cannot make a strong tackle. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Indecision opens gaps. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- It cuts back against the flow. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- A break needs finishing. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Clever lines beat faster opponents. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Show out, cut in, catch, go. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Straighter runs go forward. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Indecision between two defenders creates the gap. (Source: General rugby union reference)

## Test 8: Beating a defender one-on-one

- One-on-one evasion is beating a man. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Once committed, the defender is easier to beat. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Facing square hides the intended direction. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- The defender bites on the fake pass. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- The fend keeps the defender away. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- The touchline is a twelfth defender. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Open field means space behind. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Approach, fake, defender bites, go. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Feet, change of direction, then the fend. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- The defender bit on the dummy. (Source: General rugby union reference)

## Test 9: Support lines

- Support lines track the ball. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Support must sit to one side. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Close support for a quick pass. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Talk tells the carrier the options. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Fast forwards and backs track breaks. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Support becomes the first cleaner. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- A runner arriving from deep is harder to stop. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- See, chase, talk, catch. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Ahead of the ball is offside. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Inside and behind is ideal support. (Source: General rugby union reference)

## Test 10: Evasion drills

- Running lines must be timed together. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Narrow lanes force footwork. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Shields let runners practise contact safely. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Skills chained together as in a game. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Fast feet help evasion. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Tags keep it safe and fast. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Video shows technique faults. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Add pressure step by step. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Cones, then tags, then shields. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Cone work trains footwork. (Source: General rugby union reference)

Sources: World Rugby handbooks and coaching material, union and competition records; original questions authored, nothing reproduced. Numbered Laws belong to the Laws category.

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