Help Support The Rugby Forum :

Reply to thread

Message

Defence Tips

I really struggled with defence to start with but think I'm getting the hang of it a bit better now. I just tend to use the following rules:

* When kicking against a decent FB (eg. Robinson) always make sure the ball goes straight out of play from your 22 and well out so that a quick throw can't be taken. Then always kick for space the rest of the time otherwise they'll kill you. This is true for any FB mind. But with quick ones it's hard to get them with a disorganised defence.

* I tend to always use normal defence unless the opp are right on my goal line in which tight works better - obviously use kick defence if the opp have the ball in their own 22 or have been kicking a lot.

* Once the defence is lined up select a player who is hanging around at the back of the ruck and use them as a sweeper and to fill in any gaps around the fringes and always expect the opponent to break the tackle or offload - then you can't get caught by it. I always used to get beaten by pop passes around the fringes when I left the defence up to the AI as they were rubbish. By taking control of a sweeper/fringe player this doesn't happen.

* If you can be choosey go for one of your back row players and if very choosey your best tackler.

* When the AI goes for a set play, always tackle the fly-half even if it's late. This can disrupt many of the set plays.

* Do your best to try and stop the opp from getting any pace up - it becomes harder to defend once they do.

One final thing I've noticed is that if you don't have defensive organisers in your team the defence is rubbish when lined up!

Well there we go, hope this can help someone!

<blockquote data-quote="welshy" data-source="post: 57147">Defence TipsI really struggled with defence to start with but think I&#039;m getting the hang of it a bit better now.&nbsp; I just tend to use the following rules:* When kicking against a decent FB (eg. Robinson) always make sure the ball goes straight out of play from your 22 and well out so that a quick throw can&#039;t be taken.&nbsp; Then always kick for space the rest of the time otherwise they&#039;ll kill you.&nbsp; This is true for any FB mind.&nbsp; But with quick ones it&#039;s hard to get them with a disorganised defence.* I tend to always use normal defence unless the opp are right on my goal line in which tight works better - obviously use kick defence if the opp have the ball in their own 22 or have been kicking a lot.* Once the defence is lined up select a player who is hanging around at the back of the ruck and use them as a sweeper and to fill in any gaps around the fringes and always expect the opponent to break the tackle or offload - then you can&#039;t get caught by it.&nbsp; I always used to get beaten by pop passes around the fringes when I left the defence up to the AI as they were rubbish.&nbsp; By taking control of a sweeper/fringe player this doesn&#039;t happen.* If you can be choosey go for one of your back row players and if very choosey your best tackler.* When the AI goes for a set play, always tackle the fly-half even if it&#039;s late.&nbsp; This can disrupt many of the set plays.* Do your best to try and stop the opp from getting any pace up - it becomes harder to defend once they do.One final thing I&#039;ve noticed is that if you don&#039;t have defensive organisers in your team the defence is rubbish when lined up!Well there we go, hope this can help someone!</blockquote>

[QUOTE="welshy, post: 57147"] Defence Tips I really struggled with defence to start with but think I'm getting the hang of it a bit better now. I just tend to use the following rules: * When kicking against a decent FB (eg. Robinson) always make sure the ball goes straight out of play from your 22 and well out so that a quick throw can't be taken. Then always kick for space the rest of the time otherwise they'll kill you. This is true for any FB mind. But with quick ones it's hard to get them with a disorganised defence. * I tend to always use normal defence unless the opp are right on my goal line in which tight works better - obviously use kick defence if the opp have the ball in their own 22 or have been kicking a lot. * Once the defence is lined up select a player who is hanging around at the back of the ruck and use them as a sweeper and to fill in any gaps around the fringes and always expect the opponent to break the tackle or offload - then you can't get caught by it. I always used to get beaten by pop passes around the fringes when I left the defence up to the AI as they were rubbish. By taking control of a sweeper/fringe player this doesn't happen. * If you can be choosey go for one of your back row players and if very choosey your best tackler. * When the AI goes for a set play, always tackle the fly-half even if it's late. This can disrupt many of the set plays. * Do your best to try and stop the opp from getting any pace up - it becomes harder to defend once they do. One final thing I've noticed is that if you don't have defensive organisers in your team the defence is rubbish when lined up! Well there we go, hope this can help someone! [/QUOTE]