VIDEO: Turning the contact area into a positive

Ensure your players have the right detail in the contact area to make sure, if they are tackled, they can win the contest and present the ball back cleanly and quickly.

THE SKILLS

Pre-contact footwork and body positions for the attacker.

1. The ball carrier uses footwork before the pad to get to the edge
2. He drives into the pad, square, pumping the legs
3. He goes to ground, and rolls forward
4. He twists, turns and presents, using a long placement

HOW TO DO IT

• In a set out 10m square, stand a pair of players 5m apart with one holding a ruck pad, the other a ball. You stand outside the box changing position to evaluate the skill from a different angle.
• You shout “Go” or blow your whistle to start the skill. The ball carrier runs towards the ruck-pad holder with the ball in two hands and identifies attacking space.
• The ball carrier steps and attacks the outside of the ruck-pad holder with a strong low profile.
• The ball carrier takes contact and stays on their feet with the ball to remain in two hands at all times.
• Develop the skill by allowing the ruck pad holder to step forward and applying further pressure. You can also shorten the distance between the ball carrier and the ruck-pad holder.

COACHING TIP

Ball carrier should always have two hands on the ball, identify attacking space, slight of feet before contact, strong low profile into contact.

DEVELOP

• Ruck-pad holder to apply further pressure on collision as the ball carrier falls to the ground.
• The ball carrier must work on the ground and “power roll” into a long placement of the ball. He should always keep the ball in two hands.

WHAT TO CALL OUT

• Ball in two hands
• Identify attacking space