# Attacking Shape · Rugby Level 5: Upper-Intermediate

Rugby · Level 5: Upper-Intermediate · Insporta Book (https://book.insporta.app/rugby/level-5/attacking-shape/)

How teams organise their attack: forward pods, width, playmakers, tip-on passes, the short side, decoy lines, attacking systems, turnover ball, line breaks and the red zone.

## Test 1: Forward pods

- Pods of two to four forwards carry and support. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Forwards split into pods across the width. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Pods give options everywhere. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- A different split of the eight forwards. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Support secures the ruck. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Backs play out the back of pods. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Shape follows the defence. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Ruck, pod, carry, ruck. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- One, three, four. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Pods across the width. (Source: General rugby union reference)

## Test 2: Width and the edges

- Width stretches the defence. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Space is often out wide. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Fix defenders, then go wide. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Unfixed defenders cover the width. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Wings stay wide. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Edge forwards add power wide. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Edges are the wide channels. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Close, draw, wide, space. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Close, middle, wide. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Spreading the defence. (Source: General rugby union reference)

## Test 3: Playmakers

- Playmakers direct the attack. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Two playmakers stretch the defence. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Ten, twelve and fifteen. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Fifteen joins the line as a distributor. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Reading the defence. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Second layer behind the pods. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Second in line from the ruck. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Pod, decoy, out the back, wide. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Ten, then twelve, then fifteen. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Second layer playmaking. (Source: General rugby union reference)

## Test 4: Tip-on passes

- Tipped on to a runner at the line. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Late passes beat set defenders. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Timing is everything. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Short passes in traffic can be dropped. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- The ball moves away from the hit. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Forwards tip the ball on. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Forwards can distribute too. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Pass, run, tip, gap. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Short to long. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Short pass at the line. (Source: General rugby union reference)

## Test 5: The short side

- Also called the blind side. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Fewer defenders on the short side. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Nine and wing combine. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Touch is close. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- A short-side guard covers the gap. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Imbalance creates short-side space. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Short-side breaks reach the wing. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Spot, pick, run, pass. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Space shrinks towards the touchline. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Few defenders there. (Source: General rugby union reference)

## Test 6: Decoy lines

- Decoy lines fix defenders. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Hard lines pressure defenders. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- A held defender cannot cover. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- The ball goes behind the decoys. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Lazy decoys give the defence an easy read. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Late decoys fool no one. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Flat runners must be marked. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Run, mark, behind, space. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Decoy flattest. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Decoys hold defenders. (Source: General rugby union reference)

## Test 7: Attacking systems

- Shape, roles and patterns. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Patterns create organisation. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Reading and reacting. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Structure plus flexibility. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Several phases planned ahead. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Attack follows the defence. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Switching sides stretches the defence. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Close, middle, switch, finish. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Set moves are most planned. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Phase plans on the board. (Source: General rugby union reference)

## Test 8: Turnover ball

- Turnovers catch the defence unset. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Defensive shape is missing. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Switch to attack fast. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Position over risk. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Strike before it reorganises. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Quick reactions start it. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Transition from defence to attack. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Win, pass, space, score. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Attack high up, kick from deep. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Strike in transition. (Source: General rugby union reference)

## Test 9: Line breaks

- The aim of most attacks. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Support finishes the break. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Cover defence chases. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Breaks create scoring chances. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Two against one finishes it. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Phases disorganise the defence. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Stats credit the passer. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Break, support, draw, score. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Breaks are closest to tries. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Through the line. (Source: General rugby union reference)

## Test 10: The red zone

- Close-range attack needs power. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Inside the 22 near the line. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Turning visits into tries. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Power plays near the line. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Every metre matters. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Width where the defence is narrow. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Turnovers near the line can cost a try. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Lineout, maul, pick and go, score. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Pick and go is tightest. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Close to the line. (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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