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Rugby Sidesteps

Break through! Know how you use effective rugby sidesteps and break defences because you switch direction at will, in a flash.

This explains why you use sidesteps,
what they are,
how they differ from each other,
how you learn to sidestep
and how you know when to sidestep.

Why use sidesteps ?

You score more points, win more games
when you get the ball past the opposition and
into their in-goal area
to score more tries

You want to beat the defence.
Kick the ball
easy, but you lose control.

Carry the ball
you keep control
but it's harder for you, the ball carrier
because they tackle you.

Run one straight line and it's easy
   for them!
They meet you and they put you on the floor!

When you carry the ball and
   you can sidestep
   you increase your options
   you change direction sharply and unexpectedly.
You are totally unpredictable,
   very hard to tackle.

When they know you sidestep
   they are much more wary.
They worry about what you might do
   they hang back, waiting, trying to read you
   so you have more space and time
   and even more options and opportunities!

Where are you going,
what will you do next,
   who should tackle you?
You create chaos
   and opportunities for yourself and supporting players.

What are rugby sidesteps?

It's really just an easy way of saying
   you use your wits and agility,
   changing direction unexpectedly
   to break through defences or
create opportunities for support players.

You need to know
how to sidestep and
when to sidestep.

When you sidestep
   you take advantage of weaknesses in defences
   especially broken play.

You spot a weakness
   switch direction quickly and unexpectedly
   and you're through!

Because you are so unpredictable
opponents can't be certain
what you'll do,
who is responsible for you,
you create space and time for yourself and others

You also create weaknesses when
   you appear to attack in one direction.
The opposition react,
   you switch direction
   and go through,
or send another player through the gap you created.

All sidesteps have some things in common so,
   have a look at rugby sidestep essentials.

Identifying rugby sidesteps

They're called "sidesteps"

Anywhere, anytime
   one player cleverly evading another.
You may not even see how.
You may need a slow motion replay
   that's all part of the magic.

It's over in a flash.
We just say "steps off his/her left"
   "jinking through" or simply "Brilliant".

They were all different
   but too hard to describe
   so we just call them sidesteps

It's hard to give players' actions clearcut names.
I'll identify some typical sidesteps.
Expect variations
   rather than exactly these actions

You could start by looking at a few sidesteps on video.

The classic sidestep, the best!

The best, MOST EFFECTIVE AND DAMAGING type of sidestep

Game-time views
of classic sidesteps are hard to view freely
but you will see one here at the classic sidestep
where the sidestepper cuts inside the opponent.

See what your opponent sees with this classic sidestep video clip.

The modern sidestep

Rugby sidesteps have changed since the old days.
Changed, but not improved.
Unlike most rugby skills, the sidestep is in poor shape.

Let's look at the modern sidestep where the sidestepper cuts inside the opponent.

The rugby jink sidestep

You can also move
   sharply sideways or even backwards
   when you evade would-be tacklers
   at slightly slower pace.

It's been called a sidestep.
It's been called a jink.
I'm using both names just to be sure!
The rugby jink sidestep

Know how to sidestep and when!

When you want to know how to sidestep
   you do it with Evtechs

Remember
Practice enough and it becomes instinctive.
Only then, in the moment
   without even thinking about it
   you'll truly know when to sidestep!

So get plenty of sidestep practice

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Evtechs Sports Training
Sydney, Australia