Wide Overlap Play from Lineout: The 'Sweep' Strike Move

1. Overview

The 'Sweep' is a highly effective set play designed to manipulate the opposition's defensive line from a lineout. By utilizing hard, straight decoy runners in the midfield, the attacking team forces the defence to compress and commit to the inside channels. This intentional compression creates a numerical advantage (an overlap) in the wide 15-metre channel. It is best deployed between the opponent's 22-metre line and halfway, providing enough width to execute the passes while remaining close enough to threaten the try line.

2. Setup

To execute this play successfully, precision in setup is critical.

• Pitch Location: Left-hand touchline, ideally between the 22m and 10m lines.
• Lineout: Standard 5-man or 7-man lineout to secure clean, off-the-top ball.
• Backline Alignment: Flat alignment to ensure rapid ball transfer before the defence can drift.
  • 9 (Scrum-half): Positioned 1m from the lineout.
  • 10 (Fly-half): Positioned 10m from the touchline, standing relatively flat.
  • 12 (Inside Centre): Positioned 12m from the touchline, running a hard, straight line.
  • 13 (Outside Centre): Positioned 20m from the touchline, slightly deeper to receive the pass behind the decoy.
  • 14 (Right Wing): Holding maximum width, positioned 35m from the touchline near the far 15m line.
  • 15 (Fullback): Positioned deep, ready to sweep into the line outside the 13.

3. Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Secure the Ball: The Hooker (2) throws to the middle jumper (5), who delivers clean, off-the-top ball to the Scrum-half (9).
2. Clearance Pass: The Scrum-half (9) fires a rapid, accurate pass to the Fly-half (10).
3. The Decoy: As the Fly-half (10) catches the ball, the Inside Centre (12) runs a hard, aggressive 'crash' line directly at the defensive 10/12 channel. The Fly-half (10) must square up to the defensive line to sell the dummy pass to the 12.
4. The Pull-Back Pass: The Fly-half (10) throws a pull-back pass behind the decoy runner (12) to the Outside Centre (13).
5. Fixing the Defence: The Outside Centre (13) receives the ball and runs a sharp, angled line toward the outside shoulder of the defensive 13, fixing them in place.
6. The Sweep: The Fullback (15) times their run to sweep around the back of the 13, entering the line at pace.
7. Executing the Overlap: The Outside Centre (13) passes to the Fullback (15), who now has a 2-on-1 situation against the defending winger, with the Right Wing (14) outside them in the 15m channel.
8. The Finish: The Fullback (15) draws the defending winger and passes to the Right Wing (14) to score in the corner.

4. Key Coaching Points

• Speed of Delivery: The lineout ball must be off-the-top and the pass from the 9 must be instantaneous. Slow ball allows the defence to drift wide.
• Convincing Decoys: The Inside Centre (12) must genuinely look like they are receiving the ball. They must call for it and hit the line with intent.
• Squaring Up: The Fly-half (10) must attack the gain line and square their shoulders to the opposition before passing. Drifting sideways will kill the space for the outside backs.
• Timing of the Fullback: The Fullback (15) must remain hidden until the last moment, entering the line at top speed just as the 13 is about to pass.
• Depth and Width: The Right Wing (14) must hold their width on the touchline to stretch the defence as much as possible.

5. Common Mistakes

• Drifting by the Fly-half (10): If the 10 runs across the pitch instead of straight, they push the defence wide, neutralizing the overlap.
• Poor Decoy Lines: If the 12 slows down or doesn't look convincing, the defence will ignore them and drift onto the wider attackers.
• Fullback Arriving Too Early: If the 15 arrives too early, they kill their own momentum and allow the defence to adjust to the extra man in the line.
• Forcing the Pass: If the defensive winger jams in to intercept, the 15 must have the awareness to either hold the ball and take the tackle or attempt a grubber kick behind.

6. Variations & Progressions

• Variation 1: The Crash Option: If the defence starts drifting early in anticipation of the wide pass, the Fly-half (10) can actually give the short pass to the Inside Centre (12) on the crash ball to break the gain line.
• Variation 2: Blindside Winger Involvement: Instead of the Fullback sweeping, the Blindside Winger (11) can run the sweep line from the opposite side of the pitch, keeping the Fullback deep for defensive cover.
• Progression: Adding a Kick: If the defending winger and fullback drop deep to cover the wide pass, the Outside Centre (13) can execute a chip kick into the space behind the defensive line for the Right Wing (14) to chase.

7. Age Adaptations

• Under 10s / Under 12s: Simplify the move. Remove the pull-back pass. Have the 10 pass directly to the 12, who then passes to the 13. Focus purely on basic draw-and-pass technique to create the overlap.
• Under 14s / Under 16s: Introduce the decoy runner (12) but perhaps omit the Fullback sweep initially. Have the 13 pass directly to the 14. Emphasize the importance of the 10 squaring up and the 12 running a convincing decoy line.
• Open / Senior: Execute the full play as described, incorporating the variations depending on the defensive read.