Work on a basic ruck tactic and at the same time improve your rucking skills. Players work from side to side and aim to keep possession and go forward at the same time. It is a tactic that can be used to retain possession when running down the clock or to set up a drop goal.

Warm up time: 5-7
Session time: 8-10
Development time: 10-15
Game time: 10-15
Warm down time: 5-8

What to think about

Attacking in a zigzag manner can be effective because it keeps the ball close to the players who are set to ruck. If the defence is moving backwards, each reset and ruck should continue this momentum, because attackers from the previous ruck will simply have to get up and then go forward without having to run anywhere. The session starts with a rucking revision section that can be used to work on players recycling themselves back into the game. Once into the development, it should be that players on the ground from the previous ruck will simply have to recycle themselves ready for the next but one ruck.

set-up

1. Attack short right, short left, short right and so on to drive the defence backwards.
2. Drive into contact but with support players close by.
3. Don’t try to steal too many metres, go to ground on your terms and present the ball.
4. Aim for quick ball but make sure the ball is released when the forwards from the previous ruck are on their feet.

What you get your players to do

Put two ruck pad holders in each 5m x 10m channel. Put two attackers in one of the channels. One player drives into the pads, goes to ground, presenting an imaginary ball, and the other player drives over. They recover and drive into the next set of pads, repeating left and right at least four times. Then another group goes.