Attack Structure

By Anthony St. Amant, Assistant Coach FWRFC

Attacking rugby is known for its exciting nature, complexity, and flashiness. But when there’s intentionality behind the process it becomes dangerous and effective. When we talk about patterns or structures, we’re thinking in terms of where players position themselves on the field. For example, structures typically refer to where the forwards will be grouped, 1-3-3-1, 2-4-2, or 1-3-2-2. I’m sure there are more now in the modern game, but these are the few I’m familiar with in Texas rugby. The attacking structure chosen for each team must be done with intention. It can be tempting to re-create the flashiness witnessed by teams in The Rugby Championship or in The Six Nations tournaments but will that playing style, of professionals, fit your team?

Let’s consider the best fit for the team while examining some of the different aspects of the structures. Aspects to consider regarding the players include, but are not limited to, athleticism, size, fitness, experience, and toughness. As a coach, assessing where your team is now in these categories can be a good starting point for determining which play style, or structure, will suit them best. If your players are larger and more physical, a dominant 1-3-3-1 structure might suit them better than a 1-3-2-2 for example which might favor a fitter, more technically skilled team. What player attributes or play style might fit a 2-4-2 structure? And what might be the vulnerabilities, or possible areas of exploitation for a defense, of each of these structures?

Why should your team implement a structure at all? The benefits of adding an attacking structure are that the players have a road map of where they need to be and gain confidence in their roles and the overall game plan. It affords them an opportunity to become a specialist. Additionally, the opposition sees the same picture from the attack over and over throughout the game, but different options can happen out of the structures. So, the attack becomes more unpredictable with formations.

The bottom line is that attack structures bring just that, structure. A framework from which the players can express themselves. And what else do you want as a coach besides watching players enjoy themselves playing the greatest sport on the planet. Whatever structure is chosen for your team, please take the time to be intentional about your decision because the opposite is to hope. And hope is not a strategy. In the modern game, the best opportunity you can afford your team is to understand them. A structure that fits a team properly can be a flashy thing to watch.