Message From Coach DeLucia [Corrected]

Good Afternoon Gents,

We've had 4 tough training sessions leading up to tomorrow. Tomorrow is payday, go and collect. You boys have been putting in the work now let's put it together and play smash mouth rugby for all 80 minutes.

If you are not in the starting lineup, please don't be discouraged, put your best foot forward and raise your hand through your play so you are never overlooked. All those that come out will get playing time. If you have not been out yet to training but want to reacclimate yourself back to the squad and introduce yourself to the coaching staff; we will have minutes for you in the 3rd period of play.

Starting XV vs South Jersey (Friendly)

Juan Bravo
Rob Herbert
Chris Herring
Melvin Green
Matt Scarfuto
Tom DeRossa
Stephen Joswick
Cirian Lynch
Tom Erikson
Tom Ross
Shane Morgan
Alex Bianchini (C)
Connor Morgan
Jatece Wright
Chis Kelm

I'm excited to embark on this journey with you. We are building the foundation for a solid, hard-hitting, fast paced team. You all have been extremely coachable and the coaching staff and I look forward to implementing more framework as the season progresses.

Lineout:

5 Man: 1st Jumper "2" and 2nd Jumper "4" We can switch these jumper numbers at the half each game to throw off the defense. Everything stays the same, just the first number of each jumper. We can go 1st and 3rd, 5th and 6th etc etc.

Each jumper has 3 options 1-forward 2- center 3-back. The first number is the number of the jumper and the second number is the location of the throw.

21- jumper steps back first (always opposite) then moves forward and jumps in the front of the pod.
22- jumper steps forward or back then goes straight up in the center of pod
23- jumper steps forward first, then moves back to jump at the back of pod. 41- jumper steps back then moves forward to jump in the front of the pod

42- jumper steps forward or back then jumps in center of the pod
43- jumper steps forward then moves back to jump at the back of the pod.
80- Fake a 21, Long Throw over to 8man at the back of lineout (only when not covered)

Offensive Structure: 2-4-2 (2 forwards, 4 forwards, 2 forwards)

A. B. C.

(9). (10)

8,6, 11, 12 1,3 4,5 2,7,13,14

15

Divide the field in 3 columns (A,B,C) when on attack from left to right.

A is from the left touchline to the 15m line. B is from the 15m line on one side to the far 15m line. C will be from the far 15m line to the far touch line.

Column A & C will have 2 forwards, 1 center, 1 Wing. Column B will have 4 forwards (Props and Locks) in 2 separate pods with the 15 directing traffic and entering the line as needed behind them. 9 and 10 are able to float and go in any of the 3 sections. All other players must do their best to play in their designated areas and win their individual battles, recycle ball quickly and allow our 10, 15 to direct traffic and exploit the overloads on either fringe.

When breakdowns occur in A or C, all 4 players (2 forwards, 2 backs) clean ruck and seal our possession. When the 2nd phase enters the fringe of column B, the two forwards in B as well as the last player in the previous ruck will 'skate' over and commit to the breakdown. The 3rd phase should be off the 10 to the 2nd pod of forwards in section B where the fullback will be the 3rd to ruck.

The 10 then has 2 major options, he can continue in the same direction and 'zipper' the ball to the open space in on the fringe column or bring it back to the weakside (where the play came from) Since the players from the first 2 phases immediately set up options for weak side attack, the 10 can go weakside if he or 15 deem it appropriate.

If nothing more, setting up for a weakside attack will hold the defense there and allow more space to our open side for the 4th phase 'zipper' out to the 3rd section. They are calling 'zipper' left or right because they see an overload and wish to attack immediately, forwards hit the deck if you're in the passing lane and let clean ball go from 9 to 10. Let's pretend the defense doesn't keep their defensive integrity by not accounting for a weak side attack, instead they may scramble to cover our overload in our fringe column to the open side. If they don't account for our weak side, make them pay, the 4th phase should bring it back towards the weak side. The earlier we go to our weakside, the more likely they will keep guys there to account for those, which only creates better matchups when playing to the open side. From there we just continue to run the pattern, wear out the defense while having skilled players on both fringes ready to exploit ill prepared and unfit defenses.

Defensive Alignment: Pillar, Post on both sides of ruck must be filled first. If players are needed to fill gaps on either side, the 3rd man must move, never move the 1st or 2nd (pillar, post) on either side of the ruck- EVER. Once the ball out is called, everyone presses hard together and puts the offense under pressure. You should be lined up on the inside shoulder of the opposite attacking player as you close in on them. As soon as they pass, you slide to the inside shoulder of the next man and continue this relentless pursuit as one line until the tackle is made. Everyone must be talking, communicating with their immediate right and left defensemen to ensure all personnel and cutback gaps are accounted for. After the tackle, get onside, keep our head on a swivel and fill the line accordingly, ready to press hard again once the ball is out.

A new day is dawning, let's get to work. Look forward to seeing you all between 11-11:30am at Unami tomorrow. Bring lots of water, an unparalleled work rate and let's have some fun!

Always Together,
Coach DeLucia

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