Slow Backline

Question
I am coaching a college club team in Wisconsin.  My backline is slow and can not seem to execute the plays because of slow passing and hesitant running.  What drills or mental training should I use to help improve my player's skills?

Answer
Tough one,

Im a forward myself so backline is a bit distant to me. The best thing probably to do to train them against your forwards just running and hitting up or even against each other, thats for the hesitation. The speed i cant help you with, maybe work on sprints with them at training and fitness, which might increase the speed a bit. Slow passing can be solved by running short balls off the fly-half and decreasing the distance between each player so they have shorter distances to pass and can run off each other for quicker play. In game play your best chance of getting anywhere is to play positional forward plays, with the forwards   shifting into the backline after winning rucks and mauls and running channels off the halfback and fly-half.

Hopefully this makes sense to you, Im not really sure on this, but i think this may help your team.

Email me on [email protected] if you have any problems.

Lachlan Tait.