Centres are the key players in finding ways and means of beating the advantage line (gain line) and getting the ball in front of the forwards.
They try to penetrate the defensive line by trying to deceive the opposition by using individual of combined skills
They are also required to create space for the wings
The outside centre should possess blistering pace and posses the running skills to side step, swerve or dummy.
Although he adopts a fairly shallow starting angle he can enhance his running opportunities by working to keep depth and space from his partner.
He should make sure that he is adequately behind the ball carrier to give him room and time to take and give a pass
Major Requirements
-Handling skills
-Possess good running lines
-Should have an eye for the gap
-Be quick off the mark: Must be able to accelerate from a standing, running or start position
-Have evasive running skills
-Must be able to communicate well
-Must be a good finisher
-Must be able to distribute well (passing, in the tackle, off the ground ect)
-Should have good vision
-Must be able to kick well (grubber, chip, overheard, long diagonal kick)
*As a rule centres do not do much kicking, but it is useful at times to kick a grubber to recover possession or to kick to line if there is too much pressure on the flyhalf
-Must be able to hit his opponent on the other side of the advantage line on defence
-Must be able to control your speed
-Should have good angle running skills
-Must be able to position and align correctly
-Be able to defend as a unit with the rest of the backline
-Must be able to tackle effectively
Essentials
Passing:
-Must master the following passes:
Spiral, Lob, Quick hands, Skip, Long and Sort pass, Switch and back pass
-Stand deeply enough for the ball to be received and passed with sufficient time and space, while at the same time fixing the defender- making him commit to you
-Generally know to who the ball is to be passed before receiving it
-Make a sympathetic pass that gives the receiver options
-Pass only to a player who is in a better position than you
-Do not be forced into passing in a congested area, rather retain possession by either standing in the tackle and passing hand to hand to the supporting players or by going to ground and setting up the next phase
-Must be able to pass before, in and through the tackle
Running Lines:
-Must have side stepping and swerving skills
-Must have straight running skills to give left and right penetrating options
-Must be able to run at speed into the gap
-Be able to create time and space for outside players
-Ability to run with speed and strength and the ability to accelerate quickly over a short distance
-Be able to control your running-change of pace or direction
-Be able to create uncertainty for opponents on attack
-Should have good angle-running skills- Run unpredictable lines during set moves so that the supporting players can perform their roles
-Create space by veering (Sudden change of direction) left to create space on the right and veering right to create space on the left
-Run in balance so that passing and running manoeuvres can be done well
-When in support act as a decoy by running lines that draw defenders away from the point of penetration
-Be able to burst through tackles
Kicking:
-Be aware of the position of both wings:
-Openside wing: If he comes forward to defend then a kick behind him can be executed
-Blindside wing: He can often drift across field when an openside attack occurs, thus there will be space on the blind to kick
Penetration:
-The root of backline troubles lies with players who run too far. They first look for an opening or try to break the advantage line, when they realise that they will not be able to achieve anything from their efforts they pass the ball on to another player who is now in a worse position
-Thus success in breaking the advantage line is very much governed by the natural manoeuvrability required by the individual player.
-The guidelines:
1) Never contemplate a break until the ball is in your hands
2) Never try to force a break that doesn’t present itself
3) Don’t hesitate if a break is not on get the ball wide. Let the ball do the work on the outside
4) When a gap does open, make sure you take it at pace with your outside backs bursting through in support to take the pass from you
5) Use your hips rather than your shoulders to ride tackles
6) In your own 22m area the opposition tends to be less tight, they expect your team to kick, thus if there is space and the attack is on do it
Support:
-Be able to communicate your support to the ball carrier
-Never isolate yourself from your support play, Play to support the ball carriers
-Always run straight to allow the outside centre to make a break on the outside
-Must perform a support role at the ruck or maul
-Be able to make the ball available when setting up a phase (correct placement
Defence:
-Be able to communicate effectively on defence
-Be able to hit your opponent over the advantage line (gain line)
-Be able to spot defensive lapses of opponents
-Always defend Inside out
-Be ruthless on defence with your direct head on tackles. Doing this correctly will demoralise your opponent with your pressure
-Be able to regain possession at the tackle
-Be able to line up inside of your opposite number in defence to give him only one option, on the outside when he is on attack
-Be able to cover on defence and choose the correct options
-Be aware of the position of your fullback, if he has been sucked in you need to fall back and replace him
Positional Requirements:
-Centres are vital to carrying the ball in front of the forwards and in addition create space for your wings
-The inside centre is normally the decision maker, the outside centre is the finisher
-Both centres should be able to move the ball quickly through the hands and create space for support players
-The inside centre should enjoy physical contact so as to set up his outside centre into space
-The inside centre normally takes the straight lines and the outside centre takes the outside breaks
-Have a high level of concentration in the game
-A good centre should be able to draw or fix an opponent from at least 3-4 mtrs away
Common Errors:
-Centres not aligning properly
-Taking the wrong options in the midfield
-Kicking when not required to
-Not going for the inside shoulder, allowing the attacker more than one option.
Role at 1st Phase Attack & Defence
1st Phase Attack
-Establish alignment, hold depth, run straight and commit the opposition
-Move the ball into space and then support
-Get the ball over the advantage line and if tackled present the ball correctly
-Analyse the defence of the opposition and attack appropriate zone with ball in hand or by kicking
-Act as a decoy with running lines
1st Phase Defence
-Take up appropriate defensive line and tackle over advantage line
-Look for loose ball, create turnovers and communicate
-Turn/ throw opposition player in the tackle and smother the ball in the tackle and create a turnover
Role during 2nd phase Attack & Defence
2nd Phase Attack
-Analyse defence:
-If necessary keep the attack straight, take the gaps. Make the opportunities better by either passing or kicking
-Communicate options to flyhalf
-If tackled stand in tackle until support arrives
-Present the ball correctly if tackled
2nd Phase Defence
-Take up appropriate defensive line and tackle over advantage line
-Look for loose ball, create turnovers and communicate
-Turn/ throw opposition player in the tackle and smother the ball in the tackle and create a turnover
-Reorganise and communicate
Role during penalties/free kicks
Attack:
-Communicate to scrumhalf and forwards if an opportunity exists your zone or wider
-Look to reorganise space or create opportunity
-Use cross kicks or kicks in behind defence
Defence:
-Establish the 10mtr line
-Talk to loose forwards
-Set the defence
What my unit does
-Unit = Flyhalf, inside centre, outside centre
-Looks to create attacking opportunities and to get the ball into space
-To promote the back three (wings and fullback) to have them scoring tries
-Provides support for back three when they are put away into space
-Chase kicks and get back to counter attack
-Manipulate opposition defence by altering angles and creating deception
-Sets good targets for 2nd phase ball
-Provides impenetrable defence
Who can help me do my job better?
-All players inside: Tight forwards by going forward
-Loose forwards by screening on defence and supporting us
-The scrumhalf and flyhalf by giving us quick service and taking out the defence
-All players outside me by communicating where opportunities and space lie
How do I measure my performance?
-By doing the basics (perfectly)
-By my work rate and mobility around the field
-By filling in my performance charts- reaching my performance goals
-Communicate successfully (Discuss with team mates, coaches and mentors)
-The team sacrifices I make
I'm no stranger to the intricacies of rugby, having spent countless hours both on and off the field delving into the tactics, skills, and strategies that make the game tick. Let me break down the key concepts outlined in the article:
1. Centres' Role:
- Objective: To beat the advantage line and create opportunities for the team.
- Skills Required:
- Individual and combined skills to deceive opponents.
- Creating space for wings.
- Blistering pace for the outside centre.
- Effective communication.
- Scoring ability.
- Good distribution and kicking skills.
- Defensive prowess.
2. Passing:
- Essentials:
- Mastery of various passes (spiral, lob, quick hands, etc.).
- Standing deeply enough for proper execution.
- Making sympathetic passes.
- Pass decision-making based on receiver's position.
3. Running Lines:
- Requirements:
- Side stepping, swerving, and straight running skills.
- Speed, strength, and quick acceleration.
- Ability to create time and space for teammates.
- Unpredictable running lines during set moves.
- Bursting through tackles.
4. Kicking:
- Considerations:
- Awareness of wing positions.
- Opportunities to kick behind the openside and blindside wings.
5. Penetration:
- Guidelines:
- Patience before attempting a break.
- Avoid forcing breaks that aren't present.
- Quick ball movement when a gap opens.
- Using hips, not shoulders, to ride tackles.
6. Support:
- Requirements:
- Effective communication.
- Running straight to allow the outside centre to make a break.
- Support role at ruck or maul.
7. Defence:
- Skills:
- Effective communication.
- Tackling over the advantage line.
- Spotting defensive lapses.
- Regaining possession at the tackle.
- Proper positioning in defense.
8. Positional Requirements:
- Roles:
- Inside centre as the decision-maker.
- Outside centre as the finisher.
- Both centres moving the ball quickly and creating space.
9. Common Errors:
- Mistakes to Avoid:
- Misalignment.
- Wrong options in the midfield.
- Unnecessary kicking.
10. Role in Attack & Defence:
- 1st Phase:
- Establish alignment, run straight, move the ball, and support.
- 2nd Phase:
- Analyze defense, communicate, and create opportunities.
11. Role during Penalties/Free Kicks:
- Attack:
- Communicate opportunities to scrumhalf and forwards.
- Defence:
- Establish the 10m line, talk to loose forwards, and set the defence.
12. Unit's Responsibilities:
- Flyhalf, Inside Centre, Outside Centre:
- Creating attacking opportunities.
- Getting the ball into space.
- Supporting the back three.
- Manipulating opposition defense.
- Providing impenetrable defense.
13. Collaboration:
- Teamwork:
- Assistance from all players, inside and outside.
- Tight forwards going forward.
- Loose forwards screening on defense.
- Quick service from scrumhalf and flyhalf.
14. Performance Measurement:
- Indicators:
- Mastery of basics.
- Work rate and mobility.
- Meeting performance goals.
- Effective communication and teamwork.
That's quite an exhaustive breakdown, wouldn't you say? If you have any questions or need further insights, I'm all ears!
