Ball Possession - Next Action

This table is used to determine the next steps for a player possessing the ball.

This page used to take the .numbers file to a file to put in Media Wiki https://excel2wiki.toolforge.org/index.php

	Why?	Skills required	% Likelihood (Forward*)	% Likelihood (Back*)	Position on pitch modifier	Notes:
Run forward into space	Easiest way to make progress up the pitch	Pace	10	25	Close to the try line this rises to 100% for both forwards and backs	This situation usually only arises if one of the other options has pulled the defensive line out of shape
Run forward into contact but use footwork and or dummies/feints to evade tackles	To utilise a mismatch to make progress up the pitch	Footwork	2	15		A mismatch is usually when a back takes on a forward or the player knows he has better footwork than the defender he’s up against
Run forward into space (to draw a defender and pass before they tackle)	To draw the defence out of position making it easier for a teammate to make progress up the pitch	Footwork and handling	10	15		The space here is usually a gap between defenders
Run forward into contact	To draw in as many defenders as possible to bring a player down	Strength	25	5		This results in a tackle which, if successful, creates a ruck
Run into contact (to draw a defender and pass after the tackle has been made)	To draw in defenders making it easier for a teammate to make progress up the pitch	Strength and handling	20	5		If the pass can be made, the tackle does not result in a ruck. Usually the run into contact is not aimed at the player directly opposite the ball carrier but one on either side.
Pass infield to the next player in the line	To provide a better positioned teammate with the opportunity to make progress up the field. Infield prevents the ball going out of bounds (“into touch”) and the more central the position the more options a team has.	Handling	15	10	Often the only option for a player standing closer to the touchline than any of his teammates	For all passes and the cross field kick, the receiver can either be static or dynamic (running onto the ball at speed). Where he is dynamic he will have a better opportunity to be successful in any Run option.
Pass outfield to the next player in the line	To provide a better positioned teammate with the opportunity to make progress up the field. There is typically more space nearer the touchline in an actual game, so line breaks occur most often on the wings.	Handling	15	10	Not an option for a player standing closer to the touchline than any of his teammates
Miss pass (infield or outfield) to the second next player in the line	Passing To provide a better positioned teammate with the opportunity to make progress up the field	Handling	2	4		Greater risk of an interception. Can occasionally skip two players but much harder to do successfully
Crossfield Kick (infield or outfield) to a player three or more next in line	To provide a better positioned teammate with the opportunity to make progress up the field	Kicking	0	4	Most often used to switch play from one wing to another. Greater risk of an interception.
Kick long	To clear the ball out of defence and/or take advantage of the absence of a sweeper	Kicking	1	2	More frequent in a team’s own 22 when close to its own try line
Kick Short	To chip the ball over onrushing defenders to be recovered either by the kicker or a teammate	Kicking	0	4	Less frequent in a team’s own 22 when close to its own try line
Drop Goal	To try and score 3pts	Kicking	0	1	Success is more likely the closer a player is to the try line and to the centre of the pitch. Only top kickers can score from the halfway line	Usually only happens on the last play of the game if a team needs the 3pts to win or force a tie and go into overtime
Notes:			* Forwards tend to be stronger but have less pace, worse footwork, handling and kicking ability	* Backs tend to be faster, have good footwork and better handling and kicking ability
			* Forwards are better tacklers, jackallers and operate the set pieces (scrum and line out)