Scrum body shapes

Body profiling is a fancy name for putting players into the best position to scrummage. This body position is also good for rucking and mauling. Use these exercises to develop players’ ability to find the correct body shape quickly and efficiently, as they would have to in a match.

Warm up time: 5
Session time: 6-9
Development time: 6-9
Game time: 15-20
Warm down time: 7

What to think about

Inexperienced players are inconsistent in their scrummaging body shapes. They need to get into positions quickly and correctly for every scrum. After all the activity before a scrum, the players have to focus fast and be ready. Have a checklist for every set up, either from head to toe, or from toe to head.

1. Balls of feet, shoulder-width apart.
2. Bent knees.
3. Bend at the hip.
4. Pull the shoulder blades back.
5. Shrug the shoulders so the head is neutral.
6. Look through the eyebrows at the opposition.

set-up

1. Check you are in a strong, square scrummaging position.
2. Be ready to drive forward, not up or down on engagement.
3. Don’t leave your feet behind.

What you get your players to do

Set up a forward with another player behind him holding his shorts. Put a ruck pad holder just in front of the forward. As the player leans forward before engagement, check he is holding a strong position (see checklist). The holding player lets go so the forward engages with the pad holder and drives forward no more than a metre.