Following on from last week’s defence exercise, replicate moving across to the pitch to defend from a slow or quick ruck. It’s a matching up then coming forward exercise.
Defenders have to scan what’s in front of them whilst running across the pitch to get to the next ruck. They have to number up and adjust quickly. Once the ball is out, the outside defenders must close down the space in front of them. This session develops these ideas.
Put eight defenders bunched together on the touchline.
Opposite them put four ruck-pad holders and a 9 holding a ball.
When you shout a colour, two defenders race to that gate of cones, and go to ground, representing a tackler and jackler.
In the meantime, the attacking 9 stands at the cones and the four ruck-pad holders stand either side of him.
The next two defenders go either side of the cones, to represent the “guards.”
The other defenders match up against the ruck-pad holders. The defenders call “hold, hold, hold”.
When the 9 dips to pass, the ruck-pad holders move forward.
The guards stay in position, but the other defenders come forward to tackle the pad holders.
The defenders shout “two step” when they come off the line.
Repeat several times, then swap attackers and defenders.
TECHNIQUE
The “guards” should get into position first.
The other defenders have to look ahead and match up against the ruck pads.
The defenders must get two powerful steps off the line together.
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