In rugby, an offload is a skill where a ball carrier successfully passes the ball to a teammate while being tackled, rather than going to ground and setting up a ruck. The offload is a beautiful form of attack that puts runners into open space, as defenders grasp at thin air or are absorbed tackling a player who no longer has the ball. The offload is a necessary skill for rugby players, but it is not an easy skill to master. To execute a successful offload, players should keep the following in mind:
- Attacking players should always run with the ball in two hands, as tucking it under one arm automatically tells a defender that you aren’t going to pass, making it much easier for them to tackle you.
- Only transfer the ball into the hand furthest away from the tackler at the last moment, using quick feet and a strong leg drive to try and get past your opponent.
- Don’t go into contact looking to offload the ball. Try to beat your man, but offload to a support runner if you’re held – and if it’s on. Otherwise, go to ground on your terms and set up a ruck.
- Don’t look to throw a long pass out of contact where a teammate is likely to be marked by a defender. A good support runner should cut in late on an angled run and take the offload in the space vacated by the tackler.
Offloading is a particularly valuable skill for teams who know that they will not go into most games with an advantage in physical size and power over their opponents. They need to compensate instead with better quickness and sharper skills when they approach contact.
