The best examples of attacking patterns and drills in rugby (with simple coaching tips)

Real examples of attacking patterns and drills in rugby you can use this week

Instead of starting with theory, let’s jump straight into real examples of attacking patterns and drills in rugby that you can teach step by step. We’ll build from simple shapes to more advanced patterns and show how to turn each into a drill your players will actually enjoy.

1. The classic “pod + width” pattern (great for all levels)

This is one of the best examples of attacking patterns and drills in rugby because it works from youth to elite level and fits both 15s and 7s with small adjustments.

The pattern in plain language
You set up a three-man forward pod off the fly-half, with backs holding width wider out. The pod gives you a direct option, a tip-on pass, or a pull-back pass behind to a playmaker.

How it looks on the field

• A three-player pod stands about 5–7 yards from the fly-half, slightly staggered.
• A second playmaker (often the inside center) sits behind the pod.
• Outside backs stay wide, keeping at least 10–15 yards of width from the pod.

Simple drill to teach it
Set up two lines of attack with a defender line using bags or live defenders.

Have the fly-half receive ball from a coach or 9 and run the same shape three times in a row:

• First rep: carry hard with the middle pod player.
• Second rep: tip-on pass to an edge pod player.
• Third rep: pull-back pass to the playmaker behind, who then passes to the wing.

Rotate roles and keep the tempo high. This is a clean example of attacking patterns and drills in rugby that builds decision-making: players learn to read defender spacing, not just memorize moves.

2. 1–3–3–1 shape: a modern structure made simple

You’ll see the 1–3–3–1 pattern in international rugby every weekend. It sounds complicated, but it’s just about where your forwards stand.

The basic idea

• One forward wide on each edge.
• Two pods of three forwards in the middle.
• Backs floating around those pods.

Why it matters in 2024–2025
Modern defenses are organized and fit; they slide quickly. This shape keeps your forwards spread, creates multiple attacking points, and lets you play fast off quick rucks.

Drill: Half-field 1–3–3–1 walk-through to live speed
Start with a walk-through:

• Use half the field.
• Place cones where your pods should stand.
• Walk through ruck to ruck, calling out which pod is next.

Then progress to:

• Live speed with no defense, focusing on depth and alignment.
• Add 5–7 defenders who can only move sideways at first.
• Finally, allow full-contact or two-handed touch.

As you run this drill, keep reinforcing the pattern language: “Pod 1 middle, pod 2 middle, 1 wide each side.” This is another strong example of attacking patterns and drills in rugby that turns chaos into clear roles for your forwards.

3. Simple strike move from a scrum: 8–9–15 wrap

Set pieces are perfect places to use structured attack. Here’s a clean example of an attacking pattern and drill from a scrum near midfield.

The move

• The No. 8 picks from the base and feeds the scrum-half looping around.
• The scrum-half passes to the fullback (15) entering at pace.
• Centers run decoy lines to hold defenders.

How to drill it
Run it repeatedly from a simulated scrum with pads instead of a real scrum to save time:

• Put three players in a “scrum” shape.
• Run the 8–9–15 pattern on both sides of the field.
• Add two or three defenders reading the play.

Once players are confident, let the 8 choose: play to 9, dummy and carry, or skip to 10. That decision-making layer turns it from a scripted play into a living pattern.

4. Examples of attacking patterns and drills in rugby for small-sided games

If you want your attack to improve fast, small-sided games are your best friend. These are some of the best examples of attacking patterns and drills in rugby because they force players to make real decisions under pressure.

A. 4v3 overload touch game
Set up a narrow channel, about 22 yards wide.

• Attack: 4 players.
• Defense: 3 players.
• Rule: Attack must use at least one pass before contact.

Focus on:

• Fixing defenders before passing.
• Running unders and overs lines (cutting in or out).
• Supporting on the inside shoulder.

Rotate quickly and keep score. This simple game gives you live examples of attacking patterns and drills in rugby where players learn to create and finish overlaps.

B. 6v6 “two-touch, two-pod” game

• Divide players into two teams of six in half a field.
• Each team must form a three-player pod at each ruck.
• Ball carrier is “tackled” after two touches.

This encourages:

• Fast ball placement.
• Clear roles in the pod (carrier, tip option, screen option).
• Constant re-alignment.

These small-sided games mirror what top programs emphasize now: high work rate off the ball, simple shapes, and fast decisions rather than long playbooks.

5. Pattern into phase play: “two phases to space” drill

Modern defenses are organized, so you rarely score off the first phase. You need patterns that build pressure over two or three phases.

The idea
Call a simple plan before each rep: for example, “two phases tight, then go wide.”

How to run it

• Start with a set piece or a tap restart.
• Phase 1: Use a forward pod near the ruck.
• Phase 2: Use another pod just wider.
• Phase 3: Pull the ball behind to your backs and aim for the edge.

Add defenders who must stay onside and reload quickly. This gives you live, realistic examples of attacking patterns and drills in rugby that teach players to think in mini-plans: not just “next ruck,” but “where are we trying to get to in three phases?”

6. Support-line and offload pattern: “triangle support” drill

Offloads and support play are big trends in 2024–2025, especially as teams chase quick ball and broken-field chances.

The pattern
Every ball carrier must have at least two support players forming a triangle: one on the inside, one on the outside, both slightly behind.

The drill

• Work in groups of three moving down the field.
• The middle player carries, then steps into light contact with a pad or defender.
• They look for an offload to either support runner.
• After each offload, players rotate roles but keep the triangle shape.

Progress to a live 5v5 game where a team only scores if the try comes from an offload. This is a great example of an attacking drill that builds instinctive support lines.

If you want to keep this safe and balanced, remember that good conditioning and injury prevention matter. For general guidance on conditioning and recovery, you can look at resources from organizations like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Institutes of Health for up-to-date health information.

7. Edge attack pattern: “three-pass to the wing” game

Too many teams die in the middle of the field. This pattern forces your players to actually use the width.

Setup
Half-field width, full length if you have space.

Rules

• The attacking team must complete at least three passes before scoring.
• At least one pass must go past the 13 channel (outside center area).
• Bonus point if the wing scores.

This encourages:

• Early identification of space.
• Passing under pressure.
• Backs staying wide instead of drifting in.

You can add a layer by starting every rep with a forward pod carry in the middle, then insisting the next two phases look for edge space. That combination of structure and constraint is one of the best examples of attacking patterns and drills in rugby that actually change habits.

8. Counterattack pattern: “back three launch” drill

With more teams kicking for territory, a dangerous counterattack is a major weapon.

The pattern

• Back three (two wings and fullback) communicate early: who fields, who supports, who swings wide.
• First support player offers a short option.
• Second support player swings to create width.

How to train it

• Coach or 9 kicks downfield to different zones.
• One back fields, two support.
• They must either return the ball past midfield or find a safe exit kick.

Add a chasing line of 5–7 defenders who must start behind the kicker to keep it realistic. This gives you real examples of attacking patterns and drills in rugby that turn loose kicks into opportunities instead of panic.

Coaching tips: making these attacking patterns stick

Patterns are only useful if players understand why they’re doing them.

A few simple guidelines:

• Keep the language short and clear. Use numbers ("1–3–3–1"), colors, or simple names ("triangle support,” “two phases to space").
• Teach one pattern at a time. Layer complexity only after players are confident.
• Always connect drills to game situations: “This is our go-to shape off a lineout in their half,” or “We use this pod pattern when we’re tired and need control.”
• Mix in conditioning, but keep it realistic. Short, intense bouts of play with quick resets match the stop-start nature of rugby. For safe conditioning principles, general guidance from sources like Mayo Clinic and Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health can help you plan age-appropriate workloads.

When you watch top international teams or leading college programs, you’ll notice they don’t run 50 patterns. They run a few, very well, at high speed. Use these examples of attacking patterns and drills in rugby as your core menu, then adapt details to your players’ strengths.

FAQ: examples of attacking patterns and drills in rugby

Q: What are some simple examples of attacking patterns and drills in rugby for beginners?
For newer players, start with a three-player forward pod off your fly-half, a basic 4v3 overload touch game, and the triangle support offload drill. These patterns teach depth, passing before contact, and support lines without overwhelming anyone with complexity.

Q: Can you give an example of a good attacking pattern from a lineout?
A straightforward example of a lineout attacking pattern is: front-ball to a pod, quick transfer to the scrum-half, then a forward pod hitting in midfield with a pull-back option to your fly-half. From there, you can go wide or use a second pod. The key is fast, clean ball from the lineout and clear roles for the first two phases.

Q: How many attacking patterns should a team use in a season?
Most successful amateur and school teams run just a handful: one or two main phase-play shapes (like a pod + width or 1–3–3–1), two or three strike moves from scrums and lineouts, and one or two counterattack patterns. It’s better to have a few patterns that everyone knows well than a long playbook that nobody executes under pressure.

Q: Are these examples of attacking patterns and drills in rugby useful for 7s as well as 15s?
Yes, with tweaks. In 7s, pods are usually two players instead of three, and you rely even more on width and support lines. Small-sided games like 4v3 overloads and triangle support drills transfer directly to 7s, where space and fitness are even more important.

Q: How often should I train these attacking drills during the week?
For most club or school teams training two or three times a week, it works well to include at least one pattern-based drill and one small-sided game in every session. That way, players repeatedly see the same shapes in different contexts, which builds confidence and automatic habits.