Counter rucking can spoil an attacking team’s quick ruck ball. Either your players win back the ball or, at worst, disrupt the opposition scrum half’s attempt to pick and clear it. This session progresses to focus on the decision-making process for counter rucking.

Warm up time: 5-7
Session time: 8-11
Development time: 10-15
Game time: 15-20
Warm down time: 5-7

What to think about

Normal rucking is when two players are bound over the ball on the ground. Once the ball has been worked to the back of one team’s ruck, any attempt to drive in and join the ruck by the other team is regarded as counter rucking. Normally teams only want one player counter rucking. Otherwise there are gaps in the defence. This is why the decision-making processes in this session are important.

set-up

1. Use short steps, drive in and up into contact with your eyes open.
2. Concentrate on staying on your feet.
3. Target a player to counter ruck and aim to get under his shoulders with your shoulders.
4. Don’t counter ruck unless you have a target.

What you get your players to do

Put four defenders with a ruck pad each two metres from a line. Place an attacker on the line opposite each pad. When you shout “NOW”, they step and drive the pad back one step only (see picture 1). Check carefully for the right technique. Swap players around. As a development, start the attackers facing away from the pads or lying on the ground.