Need to build or rebuild your scrum? Need to keep your forwards engaged in training with new and interesting ways to improve their scrummaging?
Here are four different ideas to help out.
First, we’ve got a Three-step guide to coaching first scrums. This is designed for players who are new to scrummaging, but its back-to-basics approach can be used at all levels of the game – sometimes you have to restart the whole process to check the players are comfortable with what they know.
For slightly more advanced players, you can introduce the idea of Scrumming together. This full session develops the players’ core strength and scrummaging position, and is lots of fun too.
For a more technical full session, try out Firm feet in the scrum. The connection with the ground is a key aspect of effective scrummaging and hence the focus of this activity and developments.
Finally, Build a scrum and win it is a tried-and-tested activity that integrates the scrum within a game context. This is good for all the players, not just the forwards. For coaches who are working with younger players, this activity is an opportunity to try out players in different scenarios.
This simple session develops players’ core strength and scrummaging position by making them control their body shape as they move. Scrummagers work together, so it makes it a co-operative session and not a competitive one. Good for all scrummaging positions. MORE
A lot of time is spent on foot positioning before the scrum engages, but once engaged there are lots of situations for the forwards to react to. The instability of the scrum means feet might need to go forwards, backwards or sideways. This will help set a stronger platform. MORE
"With the return to rugby, I’m really worried that my team (U13s) will have forgotten lots of things about rugby. In particular, I’m trying to work out when and how to introduce contact and tackling."
This question came from a coach in Gloucester and is typical of lots of concerns around this area of the game.
It is true that the players will have "forgotten" lots of skills.
Here's how I would approach this situation. On the next page are two tackling exercises to support training.
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Improve your players’ awareness of how to move together as a defensive line.
A defensive line needs to know who’s covering who and then double up if they can to make a tackle. MORE
Make sure your players use the right footwork to power through the contact area and then manipulate the ball so they can offload or present the ball cleanly.
Though power and aggression are important in the contact area, the ball carrier also needs to be technically accurate to ensure good continuity. MORE
Work on good setups and movement, jumping and organisation in your lineout pods with this dynamic activity. It should mix up roles of your players.
Let players try out different roles, even if it’s not perfect. That allows players to realise what works for all those involved in the lineout lift and jump. MORE
Introduce players of mixed ability to contact by building up the skills through games and questioning.
I’ve found that using this progression of activity, the players develop contact skills together. You can adjust the pitch sizes and timings to suit your players. MORE
This session will help players highlight their core skills under pressure. It works especially on short passes when the ball carrier is running “offline”.
Offline means the passer is either running towards the intended receiver or away. MORE
