The 80/20 Breakdown PrinciPleWithin the ever evolving sport of rugby union, the game is constantly being developed to create a faster, more dynamic form by law-makers, coaches and players.The key is to have a game with less prolonged stoppages thus becoming more exciting for both the player and the spectator. The game of the future will continue to become faster both in player decision making and action, players will have to become more technically proficient in all skills relating to the game and must be specifically conditioned to play in this ever changing, challenging and demanding contact sport environment. An area of the game which has become a major focal point within the evolving game is the breakdown or ‘collision’ area. With the introduction of new laws relating to the collision area, there are now a third more rucks and phases resulting in players having to be more dynamic and accurate within this area of play as well as coping physically with the demands of this type of game. The key talking points from RWC 2011 were of rucks, turnovers and number 7s - statistics show that there were approximately 160 breakdowns per game. Defences have become more organised and the individual tackling techniques and conditioning of the players within the defensive system have made a major improvement within this area of the game which is now far more structured, although the challenge for coaches and players is now to break these systems down with fluid perpetual attacking play.The collision area is still one where most penalties occur - poor technique (players off their feet especially when fatigued, physically over developed players that are not in control of their body type) still prevails and if the game is to move forward this area must become

technically more accurate and dynamic. The next time you watch a live or televised game count how long it takes for every player to get back onto their feet after a breakdown situation is over, sometimes even at the International level it can be up to eight seconds. Although major emphasis is placed on the collision area being a direct result of quality defences, tacklers etc it also falls into an important attacking priority for the team (rucks, phase play) if you want to play a fast dynamic game your players must be able to clear the collision area quickly and effectively with minimum playing numbers and be able to free up ball either by hand to hand or clearance thus allowing the game to continue at a tempo that can quickly change the area of attack for your team.In the perfect game the aim would be to never take contact as an attacking

player, but as long as defences exist and rugby is a contact game there will always be collisions within the 80 minutes of play. Coaching the collision area has taken many different forms over the past years from ‘live play’ to the use of shields, tackle bags and suits - all have merit but the key to all areas relating to the breakdown/collision area is quite simple it’s consistent, dynamic body height time and time again. As a coach ask yourself one question for an area of the game that takes up almost 80% of the game do we spend 80% of our preparation time within our week concentrating on this area with all our players or is it more like 20%, I would have a guess that the answer would be 20%.So the off season is upon us, if there is one area you want to be spending time on over the summer months it’s the breakdown. At the moment until

the game evolves into another key area ‘the breakdown is the game’.

Key Points: • Consistent low body height (80

minutes especially when fatigued… do not get countered)

• Drop your height early before contact point

• Dynamic leg drive and leg speed in and through breakdown finish with feet under hips

• Staying on your feet, balance • Working to stay-strong and in shape

within collision • Strong hand-grip placement around,

under and within the collision area • Head movement within collision • Individual contact technique • Two player contact technique • Collision and clearance technique

(On the ball and through the ball) • When to counter and when not to

counter

Wales are masters at the breakdown