The more one thinks about the offload ( there was a time when I called it “passing out of the tackle” or “POOTT” before the term “offload” simplified all our lives) the more complicated it becomes.
Statistics show clearly, as if we needed to be convinced, that a team’s determination to keep the forward motion of the ball alive has a favourable impact on the final score. It doesn’t necessarily win matches but it surely makes them easier to win. However, raising the number of offloads by a team or by a player involves not just embedding the sure and certain knowledge that offloads do actually work but often a complete re-appraisal of what really takes place at the tackle/breakdown. Reducing the number of offloads that your opponents can complete takes a similar reappraisal of defence tactics.
Having said all that I have to apologise for what comes next. Actions that take place on the rugby field are extremely complicated. To a casual spectator they seem to be largely instinctive but nothing could be further from the truth. A good player assesses situations and deals with them according to a pre-learned hierarchy of actions. Spelling out these actions in detail always seems horribly trite not to say interminable especially when we know that the player can mentally review a very complicated list of possibilities and visualise the possible outcomes in seconds. What is important is that the player first of all has a well-constructed sequences of actions available and equally importantly that he or she maintains the ability to run through them logically.
For the ball-carrier offloading requires a sequence of decisions and actions which begins, hopefully, a few seconds before the realization that a tackle is “inevitable”. (This is not to suggest for a second that even inevitable tackles will actually succeed! Players completely miss 10% or so of their tackles through poor technique or failure of will and even if there is an actual laying on of hands there always exists the possibility of breaking out if the tackle is poorly constructed. ) The offload process thus begins when it appears that all efforts at escape and evasion have been exhausted. You’ve done your best to either avoid, fend-off or bulldoze the defender but now he or she is moving in for the tackle.
Before it happens, however, there needs to be a final check of the availability of your support.
I’ve ranted long and hard elsewhere (In “Rugby Coaching Notes”, for example) about the need for supporters to accept that tackles will happen to ball-carriers, to position themselves appropriately AND to make sure that the ball-carrier knows where they are.
Then comes the decision sequence: “How can I accept the tackle and maintain a position to make the offload?” It is important here for the ball-carrier to realise that he has some control over the sort of tackle he’s going to receive and this question can be broken down into: “How can I make him tackle me but leave my hands/arms free to make the pass?” and “How can I force my hands/arms free if he wraps me up?” (This is obviously the point where confidence in your upper-body strength built up during those long hours in the gym comes into play!) It goes without saying, I hope, that the first priority in any and all of these actions is to maintain possession of the ball!
The options here are to force a low tackle which will permit you to either pass as you fall or immediately after reaching the ground having turned your body or to make a “half-break” by ducking under the tackler’s arms so that you can pass behind him. (My strong suspicion is that the current increase in the number of high tackles is a direct result of the growing popularity of the second of these options.) Forcing the low tackle depends on the space available and the direction of approach of the tackler - if there’s space you can “run away,” at the last moment if there isn’t you can at least change direction to wrong-foot the tackler. Making the half-break might involve changing direction (side-step or swerve) to pass the defender on his “wrong” side i.e. the side he doesn’t expect.
If a wrap-up looks likely the tactic is to try to maintain a good base with your feet well placed to support a twisting movement to spring your arms free. This is obviously more easily said than done but without good foot position it is certainly nigh impossible. If the defender lifts you off the ground - not uncommon there days - your best bet may be to clench everything and try to get to ground with your arms free.
The last and perhaps the most crucial decision, strangely enough, is whether to pass or not!
Making a bad pass is almost as bad as dropping the ball so if you’re not confident you can complete a sympathetic pass it may be better to simply lay the ball back. This decision will be based on the amount of freedom available to your arms/hands, the position of your best supporter and the actions of the tackler and his supporters. It’s better to have the courage not to pass than to force an error on your team-mate. The supporter will be watching you intently and, if he sees hesitation on your part, is most likely to driver over and thus protect possession. This is second-best but it’s certainly better than watching a defender boot the loose ball down the field and scamper after it.
To sum up offloading is about preparation as much as execution. Having mental images of the opportunities and pitfalls of your possible actions will, as always, play a big part in their success. Good luck!
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