Misdirection

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This comment on an article by Dan Cotrell[1]

[image:]

BW = Blindside winger

Level of difficulty: hard

Who does what?

   * 10 runs forward and then dummy switches with 12, then passes inside to BW.
   * 12 runs on a dummy switch with 10.
   * BW waits until dummy switch has been performed and then takes an inside pass from 10.
   * Hint: BW gets into position early but walks the first few paces to help with timing.

Think about

   * A risky option is to flick the pass out of the back of the hand (successful at international level).
   * 10 getting as wide as possible before receiving pass.
   * BW running a line that takes them away from the scrum.

Good if

   * BW is a strong runner, with the ability to break tackles.
   * Already used a switch with 12.
   * Opposition 10 is thought to be a weak tackler.

Common mistakes

   * 12 runs too early making the dummy not effective in taking out a defender.
   * BW is too far away from 10 – because 10 is unsighted in this move he can find it a difficult pass.
   * 10 does need to take the ball up to the tackle line so defence is surprised by the arrival of BW.

Best from

   * Opposition half, just outside 22m.
   * Because this is a risky move and also can involve a loss of ground if not hidden very well, it should not be considered for a strike move close to the opposition line.

Your "misdirection" drill below is very big in the "Smashmouth Offense". We call it "Play action" it usually results in a passing play , but can be very effective in the run. As a linebacker (my secondary position) I would often have to contend with this play. My comment here is that every pass slows the game down. When this is done with a "handoff" the whole play speeds up and the misdirection can be devastating. The main cause of the slowness is that while the ball is being passed, the catcher has to concentrate his eyes on the ball. In a handoff, the runner focuses on the defense. Unless you have actually experienced this it can be hard to believe.

Also with a Handoff, the Fake is much more credible, The dummy runner simulates taking the ball and sucks the defense for the half second that is takes to get the primary receiver over the gain line. The Dummy runner carries through the act and then cuts outside to be come the Snake and force a double team hit if they don't bite. Either way the dummy must take contact.

Misdirection does not require space, it requires speed. The "hole" is not wide - it is "long", so the faster you execute the move, the bigger the daylight. The handoff as opposed to the short pass speeds up play. In your play there are two passes, in a hand off there would be one. Even better would be to execute this play from Scrum half and have no passes! See my website http://www.ironrugby.com for a full description of the handoff.

Jono, fine fellow that he is, is not ideal for this play, it is best executed by a very fast running back, usually 90 to 100 Kgs 5ft 8 to 5ft 10, Almost always Black. Jono always take to long to get up to full speed, one of the reasons his score rate was not as high as it could have been. It does take a great character, usually of instinctive intelligence, someone who can visualize the move and adjustment in rapid timing.

Now if the all the above is semi logical to you - get this - I WOULD PLAY THE FLYHALF FORM AN ALMOST STATIONARY, FLAT POSITION. This play must happen fast and in the Defense's face. One it has been successful it mus be less that a second and you must be over the gain line.

Now it take about 5 seconds to get a ball conventionally down the line to a Winger, imagine how much more powerful your play is if executes in 1.5 seconds. That puts their cover defense (linebackers) at a 3.5 second disadvantage!

I am currently an assistant at The Spears, an expansion team in the Super 14, I would want them to have a play like this as a bread and butter move. I am trying to get their heads around the fact that we would need to practice this for about 3 months before executing it. It would be run Hundreds of times in practice. Its like a dance until all participants are moving their feet in unison. It has all the variations, with all three players having a chance to get the ball and run. We also add a chip over the defense to the outside centre when the start to suck on it.

Its like a firecracker going off.