Great teams are built on defence. Although Tag Rugby can be a high scoring game, the match is won by the tries that the opposition does NOT score - in other words, by the defence.

The defence is much tougher than attack and is built on individuals working hard, keeping the defensive patterns, making their tackles and competing aggressively for the ball. 

The first rule of defence is to deny the opposition possession of the ball. The second rule of defence is when the opposition has the ball, deny them and space.

There are two basic patterns of defence

1) man-on-man

2) zone defence

Man-on-man

In a Man-on man, the defenders line up opposite the attackers, one defender for one attacker. Each player identifies the opposition whom it is their responsibility to tackle. 

Zone defence

In a zone defence, the defenders don’t line up against an opposing player is responsible for one of six or seven lanes (zones) across the width of the field. The players are in a line facing the opposition, with the players at each end of the line slightly set back ready for kicks and to adopt the sweeper role as necessary. Those on the ends come forward as the ball approaches their zone.

When the ball carrier enters a defender's lane it is their responsibility to tackle the ball carrier. The defender stays in their lane. The principle is that no player follows the ball or an opposition player out of their zone. The defender holds their own space and the defensive line as a whole holds its formation. Once play moves out of a defender's lane, the lanes realign slightly to the other lanes, as the lanes will become narrower or wider, depending on how play develops. Once again good judgement is required here on the part of the defender.

What is inside out defending?

Defend inside-out The defender takes a position to tackle the ball carrier inside-out. This means from the inside forcing the attackers out in the direction of the sideline. In theory, continually forced in this direction, the attackers will run out of space. In practice, the advantage of inside-out defence is that the attacker has only one option -to pass the ball outwards- as the tackler is blocking the inside pass. All players must be well drilled in the inside-out pattern of defence. 

Awareness & peripheral vision

Defenders must have dual awareness- of what is happening with the ball, and what is happening with the player they are marking. The player they are marking is more important to watch, so players have to develop peripheral vision to watch the ball out of the corner of their eye at the same time. The better a defender's peripheral vision, the closer they can stand towards the attack. Otherwise they might have to stand further back  but making sure to align with the other defenders when the ball approaches their zone. 

Keeping the line steady 

The line advances towards the opposition in formation. The fact that the line is united is more important than the speed of advance towards the attackers, individual players coming forward too quickly will create gaps in the line. 

Cutting down space

The first stage of defence is to compete aggressively with the opposition for the ball  so that even if they win it, they are only getting scraps of time and space to use it.

Stifle the opposition. Instead of giving them the whole field, try and make them play in a telephone box. Crowd and compete with them at every opportunity. 

Allow them no opportunity to have players hitting the ball at pace (thus gaining an advantage over static defenders)

Be very alert to what the attacking team is doing and mirror them.Track them, keep your attention on them and stay balanced on your feet. The fact that no gaps are opening up will cast doubt in the attackers' minds. This will force them to become desperate and make mistakes. See diagram opposite. 

Rush defence The speed at which the defence moves forward can also disrupt the opposition. Sometimes a rush defence is used, but the speed of advance of the defence should be varied to upset the rhythms of opposition.