Full back play (1)

The full back is the outside player in any defence – at least this is the starting role. Although it is important to note that the role will change quite often in any one match.

A full back, can overlap and become a flank player (winger) or he can move into the middle and take up a central defensive position. Primarily though he is a defender, a back player, and there are practices to assist the development of the position.

Tackling is dealt with in another section, but winning the ball and the timing of the tackle are all crucial in general defensive duties and there will be an overspill into this section.

Timing of any challenge is often a key issue and as a full back is often facing a one against one, or two against one situation, then a JOCKEYING technique comes into the play, i.e. delaying an opponent with a view to holding up the attack, while at the same time allowing fellow defenders to get into position.

In practising, players should work generally with feet slightly apart, sometimes with a sideways stance and quite often moving both feet at the same time. Players alert, on their toes, being prepared to skip sideways or backwards, keeping the body balanced ready to tackle when given a chance of a challenge. Full backs particularly need to work on the sideways stance, i.e. offering an attacker a route which he may not want to go.

Practices

A 10 metre square, 2 players X and Y, one ball.


X passes to Y, then as soon as Y controls the ball, X moves quickly to challenge, jockeying Y who must try and dribble through over line A-B.

X must delay Y as long as possible – jockeying back to line A –B, no tackling initially – that can be introduced when the coach feels ready.

Players can change roles.

N.B. It is important for X that as soon as Y touches the ball that he moves in quickly covering the space between them – this assists to delay the attack.



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