Originally Posted by
NZFan
While we are on six again, what benefit is a set restart on the first tackle when we are pinned down our own end? The defence has rushed us and set their line for the next play. We then have a slow play the ball and have to cart it into a set defence line. A penalty with the potential for a 40m kick downfield would be far more beneficial to a team that is the victim of penalty.
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Our defensive intent
The way that we are coaching defence is only going to set us up for future failure. I get the feeling that we are coaching the defence to take three steps and brace for contact so we can avoid any unnecessary head contact and therefore maintain 13 on the field. Unfortunately, it is a poor strategy against the top teams as they can roll us through the middle. It's impossible to win the contact when you aren't moving forward. All of the momentum is with the player who has the ball.
The other problem with that tactic is it encourages laziness. When fatigue sets in, three steps becomes two, or less, and the problem compounds. Some players are worse than others - Mo was especially bad against Souths, Joliffe has been poor in other weeks (see my rants in past threads), but it isn't just their fault to own. It's a poor tactic and it shouldn't be used as a substitute for poor tackle technique or brain snaps.