EXPERT SESSIONS AND ADVICE FROM QUALIFIED AND EXPERIENCED GRASSROOTS RUGBY COACHES
Quick rucks allow more attacking opportunities because the defence has to adjust fast and might leave gaps. That doesn’t mean loads of rucks, but high tempo play to create go forward ball.
Players: 8 attackers v 6 defenders.
Area: 20m square.
Equipment: One ball.
Start the attack from one end of the box, with the defence about 5m away.
The attack has three seconds to release the ball from any ruck.
The attack has to score in three rucks or less. This creates a sense of urgency.
“The supporting player starts in front of the ball carrier, while the defender has his back to the attack. When you shout play, with the supporting player walking forward and the defender out of position, the players will have to think quickly to come up with winning solutions.” MORE
If you are designing your plan for your team's training, you are better off focusing on an “arc” of learning for a specific area. This means spreading out the training over a number of weeks, rather than dedicating one session to this. MORE
in Rucking & Mauling, Rugby drills
Mauling is a powerful weapon and you don’t have to be a big side to use it. A great tactic is to set up a maul from the back of a ruck to create go-forward and tie in their defenders. MORE
Change your try lines so they extend up the edges of the pitch to create a new sort of challenge for the players. The initial outcomes may seem strange, yet you may find the longer-term benefits help your team’s go forward. MORE
in Footwork and evasion, Small-sided games
A ball carrier races into the channel and then turns to beat a chasing defender to the end of the channel MORE
in Passing & Handling, Small-sided games
Lines of three players pass the ball quickly to the end player who races to a line in front of them to be the winner of the groups. MORE
