Moving forward (when carrying the ball)
Moving forward is a basic principle of play. Obviously moving forward is a "good thing" since it moves you closer to the opposition try-line but it also has many hidden advantages. A player or team moving forward with the ball has the major advantage of momentum. This advantage must be seized, exploited and protected at all costs and in all situations.
Crossing the gain line with the ball multiplies the value of the advantage by at least two because defenders must retreat and turn before they can attempt to stop the move forward. (In the same way, stopping an attack in front of the gain line diminishes its potency by a factor of two.)
There is simply no substitute for moving forward and parallel to the touchlines. The second best option is probably to stand still! Moving sideways comes in a very poor third just ahead of going backwards.
This concept is so important that care must be taken never to set up a situation which has a chance of resulting in sideways/backwards motion. A ball carrier running toward his touch line, instead of his goal line, stops all forward momentum. Support players must stop their advancing and even back up to avoid an obstruction offside penalty. Support players are taught to approach from depth and burst full speed onto the ball. This is not possible when a teammate is running laterally with the ball. Support players are also taught never take the pass standing still. The support player has no option but to stand still if his teammate runs toward his touch line. A defender can advance hard and fast on a player that choose to run sideways. Sideways ball carrying makes a man a target and a target in any sport is not a good thing. It is like carrying a sign that says “Here I am knock the snot out of me”. The only thing worse is to run side ways attract a hard rushing defense and then pass the ball to poor teammate that you forced to stand still. It is like saying “Here smash my teammate, I’m a coward”.
Run forward toward the goal line listening for your support players to help you to make decisions: “With you, on your right, on your left, outside, inside, crash, pop, stay up, maul, get the ball back, fire, go down, ruck, get kick, yes, ball now, place it, etc.”
GO FORWARD KEEP THE ATTACK ALIVE
