This is bread and butter ruck work. Groups of three players operate together to ensure the ball is won at every contact. It is super-quick ball. The tackle is made, the next two players clear the area of threats, and the ball is away to the next breakdown.

Warm up time: 5
Session time: 6-9
Development time: 8-12
Game time: 15-20
Warm down time: 7

What to think about

The triangle shape forces players to work hard to be in good positions to support the ball carrier. The danger is that the support players do not turn the corner quickly or take lazy running lines. They need to see where the ball carrier is going, identify the threats to the ball on the ground, and win the race to stop the threats becoming real. Keep the session urgent. Note any technical errors, and then work on those in a separate session at a future date.

set-up

1. Position yourself to be able to drive square at the contact.
2. Recover quickly from the ground or contact to be ready for the next phase.
3. Look up and ahead for threats.

What you get your players to do

Set out players, balls and pads as in the top picture. The three attackers run around the first cone and into the first ruck pad. As they come around the first cone, the defenders can stand over the pads. The attackers have to drive them off the ball. Once the ball has been won (or lost), you shout for the next ruck. The defenders go to the next ruck pad and the attackers run around the next cone to begin the next ruck. Repeat for the whole triangle. Adjust the outside cones to create different angles.