Front row shifts

WHY USE IT

Knowing body shapes, stresses and movements will increase scrum efficiency and safety.

Set up

Three differently coloured cones 2-3m apart.

HOW TO DO IT

• Start bound properly on their knees with opposing front row over the  middle cone (see picture 1).
• On your command the two groups (called “A” and “B”) get off their knees into a strong, correct and safe position.
• On a second command, using short steps, “A” advances and “B” retreats.
• They work together with good body shapes until the cone is behind the feet of the  “A” hooker (see picture 2).
• Rest, return to the white cone and repeat vice versa.

TECHNIQUE

• A bend at the knee of 120 degrees before the pushing starts. Don’t fully extend the legs when stepping forwards and driving – use small steps.
• Hips tilted and slightly concave lower back shape.
• Chest puffed out.
• Neutral head position looking down but slightly forwards.
• Feet pointing forwards on the balls of the feet and legs shoulder width apart.

Development

Do the same drill but now stipulate a different coloured cone. If “red” or “blue” is called, the group crabs across to that cone, so it is beneath the hooker’s heads and then they advance/retreat to step over it as before (see picture 3). Make the retreating scrum less co-operative but never have full competition.