The ball (passes) going to ground (floor)

[cpwigan]

Not sure why but if you look through umpteen games whenever the ball goes to ground but the team in possession retain it, it very often leads to a score, a try. Somehow defenders seems to freeze and/or loose concentration

[SJ]

Not sure why but if you look through umpteen games whenever the ball goes to ground but the team in possession retain it, it very often leads to a score, a try. Somehow defenders seems to freeze and/or loose concentration

Don't know CP can only guess that the mindset of the defender is momentarily disrupted causing him to lose concentration as you suggest.
NB nowt wrong with "ground"more semantically correct than "floor"
Honest Off to Italy now

[cpwigan]

Seriously? Have a great time.

[Southern Softy]

I've noticed this more over the past few years. I suppose it's something to do with defences being coached (quite rightly) to respond to 'proper' attacks and take up appropriate defensive positions. You could liken it to football when a free-kick comes in from the wing - everyone misses it - and it drifts into the opposite corner of the net. Goalies get blamed but they have to set up assuming the attacker is going to head the ball.

What is good in RL is that really top players can improvise quickly from broken play and create opportunities.