When you’re new to sevens rugby or have not watched for some time, listed below are the tendencies to look out for
All of us bear in mind how we had been taught sevens at college – get it to the quickest participant out extensive, pull out and run backwards if nothing is on, and hope you’ve received a great ‘sweeper’ in behind.
However in 2024, and forward of the Olympic Video games in Paris, we need to clarify the place the trendy sport is now.
Sevens techniques in 2024
“The normal approach individuals consider sevens is to keep away from contact in any respect prices, transfer the ball round, good wanting passes and other people making an attempt to run spherical one another,” says former Wales sevens skipper Luke Treharne. “However within the final form of two to a few years physicality might be the one phrase I’d use to explain sevens now.
“And it’s all about taking contact by yourself phrases. It’s not about operating across the fringe of groups anymore groups are too good at defending.”
How trendy sevens groups use the ‘pendulum’
Treharne provides extra element on trendy defences, saying: “Historically you used to see six defenders in a line with one sweeper, and nearly all groups now have seven in a line and it’s referred to as a ‘pendulum’ defence. That’s the place the sting gamers now flip into the final defender, who has to cowl the kick.
Associated: Michael Hooper sevens debut a deal with for Hong Kong crowd
“So when you find yourself an attacking participant on the sting and also you’re seeking to stand somebody up, you’ve truly most likely received two and a half gamers to beat earlier than you may get round somebody.
New Zealand males defend (Jayne Russell/Clique Visuals)
“That is the place it’s change into extra bodily. Gamers like to run at shoulders, reduce between gamers. There’s a bodily contest over the ruck and whoever wins the contact space today typically wins the scoreboard.”
Argentina males have change into the poster boys for this within the final two seasons. They’re hapy to play with one-out runners, Treharne says, after which they’ll unlease Marcos Moneta or Rodrigo Isgró out extensive.
New Zealand’s males have lengthy been the masters of attacking the opppositions’ breakdown to show over ball, whereas France males have current;y emerged as a aspect hellbent on unsettling your breakdown.
Different defensive tendencies in sevens
In keeping with Treharne, the chop deal with on the exterior defender’s toes is now one of many key weapons in a sevens defence.
As he explains in additional element: “If you get to an edge, groups will search for the second inside – the participant one in from the sting (and final participant) – to make that chop deal with, so by the point the attacker hits the ground, your edge defender can get straight over the ball (to jackle).
“Most groups now function with that form of operate. Historically, even when it was a six (within the defensive position) and one sweeper, it will at all times be the sting defender tackles the sting attacker. Now they’re in search of one participant in to deal with the sting participant and create these turnover alternatives.”
The Blitzboks acquire a kick (Jayne Russell/Clique Visuals)
Kicking techniques in sevens now
The usage of the pendulum defence means there may be seven up in defence.
Nevertheless, Treharne tells us that kicking as we speak needs to be “much more tactical” within the face of that.
As he tells us: “We used to see gamers kicking for themselves with grubbers. Whereas now you’ll see gamers kicking for the surface – that’s the place the timing comes from, from bringing the defence up after which placing one behind for a team-mate.”
Who do you assume would be the masters of sevens techniques on the Olympic Video games? Lrt us know on social media or at rugbyworldletters@futurenet.com
Obtain the digital version of Rugby World straight to your pill or subscribe to the print version to get the journal delivered to your door.