Armchair ride for 9s

When Antoine Dupont (pictured right) whips the ball away accurately from a ruck, they will be thanking their forwards for presenting the ball cleanly. They are not so amused when they have to dig it out.

Reaching in and then stepping back means they are immediately under pressure from the opposition defenders at the side of the ruck.

Also, a stray boot or leg can break the flow of the pass, leaving the 10 stretching for the ball as their scrum half loses balance or cannot follow through with their hands.

That’s why 9s get so grumpy. Their “bread and butter” is a decent passing game. Most of their passes will be from rucks. Plus, many of them like to scoot off with the ball before passing. They won’t be able to scoot if the ruck ball is slow and defenders have a chance to line up to rush forward from the ruck and block their path.

To provide an armchair ride for your 9 (and keep them from being too grumpy), you need to do three things well:

1. Win the gain line

Get over the gain line with the ball, so defenders have to run back to get into position. Defenders on their heels, resetting and so won’t be able to advance from their defensive positions as quickly. This will give your 9 more time to pass.

2. Place the ball cleanly

Make sure the 9 does not have to rip the ball out or reach in to the ruck. That slows them down and gives defenders the heads-up that the ball is coming. That’s why ball placement is key.

3. Protect beyond the head

As 9 goes for the ball, they will find it more difficult to clear it away if there are players’ legs and bodies all over it. Supporting players should not stop at the ball, but go beyond it.

Use Eamonn Hogan’s page 6 activity on getting the ball to the gain line quickly from a slow ruck, so the 9 can have an easy ride from the next phase.

Sean Holley then gives you a simple activity to make sure your players place the ball securely and then cleanly on page 5.