Give your players the mental and physical edge at scrums by being the first to be ready to scrummage. Make them set themselves quickly and also bind effectively and efficiently. In a match, they will be arriving at each scrum tired, so this session aims to replicate these moments.
Warm up time: 5 Session time: 6-9 Development time: 6-9 Game time: 15-20 Warm down time: 7
What to think about
A side that is ready to scrum often has a mental advantage. However, this will soon crumble if the binding is not efficient.
Binding by props on the hookers is personal. As a rough guide, the hooker goes to the mark, the loose head (left side) prop binds first, then the tight head.
You must check the following: the props’ shoulders are square, the hips are square and the feet are pointing forward. A front row should be able to crouch and remain stable.
Set-up
Hooker: Set the mark. Arms up and hooking foot forward.
Loose head: Bind on to hooker. Get square.
Tight head: Wait for loose head and then bind, get square.
Be ready first, be balanced and secure.
What you get your players to do
Split the forwards into groups of three (this can be run with all the forwards).
Each nominates a hooker, a loose head and tight head. Have the groups walk around a box and then shout “scrum”.
The groups form into a front row and then crouch. Go around and check for good binding and body positions.
Make examples of certain groups to show good and bad practice. Repeat, with players swapping roles, to help players speed up the process.
Groups of three players walk around until you shout “scrum”. They form themselves into a threeman scrum and crouch ready to be inspected.
Development
Put two groups of three players by a cone as in the middle picture. Have them jog in to form up and then engage. Make the sure the engagement follows the sequence: “Crouch, bind, set”
Once they have engaged, they do not push, just hold so you can check binding.
Two sets of three players run into position, bind and then engage. They do not push. You inspect for good binding.
Game situation
Play a game of touch rugby. If the ball goes to ground or there is an infringement, call for a scrum. The first team to have three players ready in the correct position will gain possession at a three-man passive scrum.
After a dropped ball or infringement, the first team with three forwards in the correct position to scrum win the ensuing passive scrum.
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Though you aim for perfection, you know perfectly well that there will be times in the game when your team have to clear up the mess from a scrum or lineout. So, it’s worth devoting some training time to develop strategies to deal with these situations. MORE
