Pass, run or ruck

by Dan Cottrell in Contact, Rugby drills

Help players make good decisions at the breakdown on whether to pass, run or ruck depending on how many defenders are threatening the tackle ball.

You want enough players to win quick ball without compromising your chances to launch effective attacks.

ACTIVITY

Put a feeder (F) and ball carrier (BC) 5m apart, with a tackler (T) 2m in front of BC.
Put support players A1 and A2 inside and outside BC and a ruck pad holder either side of T, acting as inside and outside defenders.
F passes to BC who takes on T. Indicate whether you want one, two or no ruck pad holders to come in over the ball.

A1 and A2 then decide whether they need to come in to take out their respective defender (above). If no defender comes in, then A1 comes in to clear the ball to A2 (below).

Develop by changing the starting points of defenders and supporters and removing one or both of the ruck pads from the holders.

TECHNIQUE

Good placement essential from the ball carrier. Ideally he falls and presents away from the inside defender (so his backside is facing that defender).
A1 and A2 run “L-shaped” lines to be able to square up to go through the tackle gate to clear out any defender.

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