Scooter shooter: Negate those 9s
With quick rucks, 9s are running off the back (scooting) before passing the ball to one of their forwards or even going themselves. Make sure he doesn’t draw in the ruck side defenders from their key roles of protecting the edges. Shoot the scooter before he creates a gain line break.
With quick rucks, 9s are running off the back (scooting) before passing the ball to one of their forwards or even going themselves. Make sure he doesn’t draw in the ruck side defenders from their key roles of protecting the edges. Shoot the scooter before he creates a gain line break.
Warm up time: 5
Session time: 6-9
Development time: 6-9
Game time: 15-20
Warm down time: 7
What to think about
Unless you are defending close to the try line, it does not make sense for the close ruck defenders (pillars, posts, guards etc,) to get too low in their stance. They need to see what’s ahead and who is running.
Normally, the defender closest to the ruck covers the straight pick and go while the next defender covers the “scooter”. However, your players will have to adapt their roles as play develops. This depends on their personal line speed and footwork. Use these exercises to develop that.
set-up
- Get into position early, working with your partner at the edge of the ruck.
- Go up and then out together.
- Tackle the running 9 with a smother tackle if you can get to him.
What you get your players to do
Put two defenders and four attackers beside a tackle tube (see top picture for set-up). Get the attackers and defenders to run around to the far side of the tackle tube and set.
The 9 has to run and pass (scoot). Defenders have to cover the area (start with 7m wide and increase the width for different pressure).
Use scrag or full tackling.
The attackers and defenders run around and set up with the tackle tube representing a ruck.
Development
Use a series of “rucks” so the players have to attack and recover.
Add in one more defender but make the attacking gap larger.
Release defenders and attackers at different times.
The 9 scoots and either runs or feeds one of the attacking players. The defenders aim to defend the gain line while attackers aim for the second tackle tube .
Game situation
Split into teams of seven or eight. Play a game of full contact where only two players from each team are allowed into the ruck (other than tackler and tackled player). The ball has to be picked up from the base of the ruck.
Play full tackling. Only two players from each team other than the tackled player and tackler are allowed into the ruck. The ball must be picked up from the back of the ruck and not passed.
What to call out
- “Keep your spacing the same”
- “Close down the options and don’t give away easy metres”
- “Force the scooter to make a poor decision”