Conquer the maul

You cannot bring down a maul once it has started so defenders have to hold it or break it up. Holding means driving hard and low, breaking means splitting the maul and getting through gaps. Good maul breakers will exploit any small seam to take it apart.

Warm up time: 5
Session time: 6-9
Development time: 6-9
Game time: 12-20
Warm down time: 7

What to think about

Players must join the maul from behind the back feet. If the maul is being held, then there are few opportunities to splinter the maul but the attacking team will be forced to use the ball or they will lose it, in accordance with the laws. However, if not held, the more dangerous, dynamic maul often exposes attackers. Ideally, the maul breaker drives this attacker out. He can only do this by getting inside him and driving, not by pulling from the outside. Momentum is key. If the breaker can do it as he is still moving forward, he should have a better chance of unbalancing the mauling player.

set-up

1. Look for gaps in the maul and drive through and outwards.
2. Keep the legs driving through contact. If you cannot split the maul, you will force the opposition to commit more players.

What you get your players to do

Stand two ruck pad holders slightly apart. A defender drives between them and then drives one of the ruck pad holders outwards for at least 2m. Repeat, but put the ruck pad holders closer together. Finally repeat, but have another player behind the ruck pad holders binding and driving the ruck pad holders together.