Dynamic Support Running & Angles: The Three-Man Wave Drill

1. Overview

Effective support play is the lifeblood of any successful Rugby attack. This drill, the Three-Man Wave, is designed to teach players how to read the ball carrier's movements, time their runs, and hit the gain line at pace using sharp, decisive angles. By forcing players to react to live cues rather than running pre-determined static lines, this drill bridges the gap between unopposed practice and live match conditions. Use this drill during the main block of your session to develop attacking cohesion and decision-making under pressure.

2. Setup

To run this drill effectively, you will need a 30m x 20m grid, which can be set up between the 22m line and the 10m line on a standard 100m x 70m pitch.

• Equipment Needed: 8-10 cones (preferably in two different colours), 2-3 rugby balls, and bibs for defenders.
• Player Positions: You need a minimum of 6 players (3 attackers, 1-3 defenders). The attacking pod consists of a primary ball carrier (e.g., Fly-half '10' or Fullback '15') and two support runners (e.g., Centres '12' and '13', or Wings '11' and '14').
• Pitch Setup: Place a starting cone at the bottom of the grid. 15 metres ahead, set up a 10m wide 'gate' using two cones. This gate represents the gain line and the entry into the 'Offload Zone'.

3. Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps to execute the basic progression of the drill:

1. Starting Position: The ball carrier starts at the bottom cone. The two support runners start 5 metres behind and 8 metres wide on either side of the ball carrier.
2. The Trigger: On the coach's whistle, the ball carrier accelerates forward toward the 10m wide gate.
3. Reading the Line: As the ball carrier approaches the gate, they must initiate a slight curve in their running line to either the left or the right, simulating an attempt to step a defender.
4. Support Timing: The support runners must read the ball carrier's movement. The runner on the side the ball carrier steps towards must accelerate and cut a sharp 'unders' (inside) line. The runner on the opposite side must run an 'overs' (outside) line to provide width.
5. Execution: The ball carrier executes a pass or offload to one of the support runners as they burst through the gate at full pace.
6. Reset: The players jog back to the start, rotate positions, and repeat the sequence.

4. Key Coaching Points

To ensure your players get the most out of this drill, focus on the following technical aspects:

• Late and Fast: Support runners must start their runs late and hit the line at maximum pace. A slow, early run makes it too easy for the defence to drift and cover.
• Communication: Demand loud, clear, and specific communication. Support runners should be calling their lines (e.g., "Inside!", "Wide!") to give the ball carrier confidence.
• Target Hands: The ball carrier must present the ball clearly and pass to the space in front of the support runner, allowing them to take the ball without breaking stride.
• Square Hips: Even when running a curved line, the ball carrier should attempt to keep their hips relatively square to the try line for as long as possible to fix the defence.
• Depth is Crucial: Emphasise the importance of the starting depth (5m behind). If players start too flat, they will overrun the ball carrier and kill the attacking option.

5. Common Mistakes

Watch out for these frequent errors and correct them immediately:

• Overrunning the Ball Carrier: Support players getting ahead of the ball, making a forward pass inevitable or forcing the ball carrier to hold on.
• Static Receiving: Players catching the ball while stationary or jogging, rather than accelerating onto the pass.
• Silent Running: A lack of communication, leaving the ball carrier guessing where their support is located.
• Drifting Angles: Support runners drifting sideways rather than cutting sharp, decisive angles that threaten the defensive line.

6. Variations & Progressions

Once the players have mastered the basic mechanics, introduce these variations to increase the difficulty:

• Progression 1: Live Passive Defence. Introduce a single defender in the 'Offload Zone'. The defender can move laterally but cannot tackle. The attacking trio must read the defender's movement and choose the correct support option to exploit the space.
• Progression 2: The Three-Man Defensive Line. Introduce three live defenders (D1, D2, D3) starting 8 metres ahead of the attacking line. The attackers must use their varied running angles (inside and wide support) to manipulate the defenders and create a line break.
• Variation: The Breakdown Scenario. If the ball carrier is touched by a defender, they must immediately go to ground and present the ball. The two support runners must instantly transition into a clearing role (first arrival) and a scrum-half role (second arrival) to secure quick ball.

7. Age Adaptations

Tailor the drill to suit the development level of your players:

• Under 8s - Under 10s: Focus entirely on running forward and passing backwards. Remove the complex angles and simply have players run in a straight line, passing to a player running alongside them. Use a smaller grid (15m x 15m).
• Under 12s - Under 14s: Introduce the concept of depth and the 'unders' line. Keep the defence passive to build confidence in executing the pass at pace.
• Under 16s - Open Grade: Run the full drill with live defence, high intensity, and a focus on decision-making under fatigue. Incorporate the breakdown variation to make it highly game-realistic.