Not all rucks are made the same and neither are the players. Especially in the forwards, the difference in height can mean they need to explore varied techniques. Here’s how…
Tall players (like locks) need to keep on their feet when it comes to driving into low rucks. Props can make use of their size to clear defenders past the ball.
Put three attacking ruckers on their fronts in the middle of one side of the box.
Have two ruck-pad holders in each box, just behind a ruck pad on the ground.
Shout out a number between one and three, plus a colour.
That number of ruckers get to their feet and run over the designated ruck pad before driving away the ruck pads.
As the ruckers get to their feet, indicate with your arm whether you want the pad holders to either just move forward OR lean very low over the ruck pad in front of them.
If they are normal height, the ruckers drive them back and out of the box.
If they are very low, they just clear them back from the pad and stop.
Develop by having three pairs of players scrummaging against each other.
In a box next to them a player feeds an attacker and he’s tackled immediately.
The scrummaging players break and aim to win or secure the ball.
Use this modified game of rugby rounders to improve kicking and fielding, using social distancing protocols. Thanks to Old Reigatian Girls and head coach David McGuigan for this version. MORE
The switch pass is notoriously difficult to coach. Try out this activity to let your players develop the right sort of skill. There are lots of moving parts in a switch pass which mean, even at the top level, they can be difficult to execute. This activity gives the players more awareness of their running lines and potential passes. MORE
Using an inverted backline shape, your runners from a ruck can give the 9 more options to pick up the best-placed player to break the defensive line. An inverted three is a group of three players that line up so the furthest player is in front. All but the first player in the line can take the ball with a player in support to drive them out and away from the previous breakdown. It’s easy for the outside players to adjust their timing to support the first player if he’s the receiver. MORE
How to take the ball close to the gain line in attack to put the defence under more pressure. It will exploit quick ball from rucks by putting attackers flat, running angles and offloading before or after the tackle. MORE
Create pace onto the ball from a “free pass” to a static player by encouraging your players to organise themselves quickly and work in threes. When the rules state that a free pass has to be to a static player, your players have to be at ease with repositioning themselves to be able to generate some pace onto the ball. MORE
