Maul basics

U11–U12 | CONTACT 3

Get the players into good mauling habits by having them drive the ball carrier forward

1. Mark out a 5m square area. Inside the area put a defender with a ball-carrying attacker 1m in front of him and two more attackers just behind the ball carrier.
2. When you say “go”, the ball carrier steps into the defender and the two other attackers bind onto him. At walking pace, the three players have to move the maul from one end to another.

3. Develop by adding another defender and another attacker.
4. Finally, play 4v4 in the same area. Have both sides start from their own ends, and throw the ball to one team. The team in possession cannot pass the ball, but can rip and drive forward.

You will need

• A 5m square area
• 1 ball
• Cones

Got more players?

Set up more 5m squares and get lots of groups of four practising mauling. Make sure players rotate through the different roles.

What to tell your players

“Keep the ball from the defender”
“Drive forward with short steps”