Wide Overlap Play from Lineout: The 'Sweep' Move

1. Overview

The 'Sweep' is a highly effective first-phase attacking move designed to exploit the wide channels directly from a lineout. By committing the opposition midfield defense with hard, flat running lines from your 10, 12, and 13, you create a narrow defensive structure. The crucial element is the late, sweeping run from the Fullback (15), who injects themselves into the line outside the 13, creating a sudden numerical advantage (usually a 3v2 or 2v1) in the 15-metre channel.

This play is best utilized when you have clean, off-the-top lineout ball, and the opposition wingers are defending slightly infield or flat to shut down the midfield.

2. Setup

Pitch Setup: Full pitch (100m x 70m). Play originates from a lineout on either touchline, ideally between your own 22m and the opposition 10m line.

Equipment:

• 1 Rugby ball
• Cones to mark starting positions for the backline
• Bibs for defenders

Player Positions:

• Forwards: Standard 4-man or 5-man lineout, throwing to the tail (jumper 4 or 5) for quick delivery.
• 9 (Scrum-half): 1m from the lineout, ready to clear the ball.
• 10 (Fly-half): 10m deep, 10-15m infield from the lineout.
• 12 (Inside Centre): Flat alignment, 5m outside the 10.
• 13 (Outside Centre): Flat alignment, 8m outside the 12.
• 11/14 (Blindside Wing): Positioned wide on the open side, holding width near the 15m line.
• 15 (Fullback): Starting 20m deep behind the 10, hidden from the wide defense.

3. Step-by-Step Instructions

1. The Delivery: The Hooker (2) throws to the tail of the lineout. The ball is won off the top and delivered immediately to the 9.
2. The Clearance: The 9 fires a fast, flat pass to the 10, who is moving forward onto the ball.
3. Fixing the Inside Defense: The 10 catches the ball moving forward, committing the opposition 10, and passes to the 12.
4. The Midfield Strike: The 12 runs a hard, direct line, committing the opposition 12, before passing to the 13.
5. The Wide Setup: The 13 receives the ball and drifts slightly outward, drawing the opposition 13 and potentially the winger.
6. The Sweep: The Fullback (15) times their run from deep, accelerating in an arcing line to arrive perfectly outside the 13 just as the 13 is committing the final defender.
7. The Execution: The 13 passes to the 15 in the overlap zone. The 15 now has a clear run down the touchline or a 2v1 with the Wing (11) against the opposition Fullback.

4. Key Coaching Points

• Depth and Timing: The 15 must stay hidden deep until the ball reaches the 12. If they show too early, the defense will simply drift wide to cover the overlap.
• Square Shoulders: The 10, 12, and 13 MUST keep their shoulders square to the try line when catching and passing. Drifting sideways allows the defense to slide and neutralizes the overlap.
• Quality of Delivery: The move relies on fast, accurate passing. Passes must be out in front of the receiver, allowing them to take the ball at pace.
• The Decoy: The blindside winger (11 or 14 depending on the side) must hold their width initially, then cut a hard decoy line back inside the 13 just before the pass to the 15. This freezes the defensive winger.

5. Common Mistakes

• Crabbing: Midfield players running sideways instead of fixing their opposite man. This kills the space on the outside.
• Early Arrival: The 15 overrunning the play or arriving before the 13 has committed the defender.
• Poor Lineout Ball: Slow or messy ball from the lineout gives the defense time to organize and push up, stifling the attack behind the gain line.

6. Variations & Progressions

• Progression 1: Live Defense: Start with passive defenders (touch only), then progress to full contact with defenders allowed to rush up or drift.
• Variation 1: The Inside Ball: If the defense anticipates the sweep and drifts early, the 13 can throw a short pop pass back inside to the winger cutting hard against the grain.
• Variation 2: 10 Skip Pass: The 10 skips the 12 and passes directly to the 13, speeding up the delivery to the wide channel.

7. Age Adaptations

• Under 10 - Under 12: Focus purely on the catch-and-pass mechanics and running straight. Simplify the move to just 10, 12, and a winger.
• Under 14 - Under 16: Introduce the sweeping fullback, focusing heavily on the timing of the run from deep.
• Open/Senior: Focus on the subtleties: eye manipulation by the 13, the hard decoy line by the winger, and executing at maximum game speed.