Don’t let your team waste quick ball at rucks because they have taken the wrong decision. Forwards have to decide whether to “keep on going”, to either pick up the ball and drive on or leave it for the scrum half. This session focuses on players having to make their own decisions as they approach the breakdown.

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

What to think about

Why do some players always make the wrong decision? Players who constantly make poor decisions are not always looking at the defenders as they approach the ball. You can stand behind the defenders in the session and watch where the attackers are looking. Encourage them to get their heads up and scan. The players are too high going into contact and are not presenting the ball cleanly. In the initial session, hold a pole at chest height in front of the ruck pad. Players have to duck under the pole before hitting the pad. This forces them to get in a good low body position.

set-up

1. Arrive at the breakdown with heads up scanning the defence.
2. Make informed decisions based on the position of the defenders.

What you get your players to do

Spread out two players with pads. Player one hits the first pad and goes to ground presenting the ball. Player two gets in a low position to pick up the ball and drives into the next pad close to the breakdown. In the next drill, position the second pad holder wider and add a third attacking player. Player two picks up the ball takes a step and passes to a runner who hits the pad wider out.