A maul is formed of at least two attackers, held by a defender, with the ball off the ground.
It’s a wrestling match that comes with a risk and reward for the attacking team – go forward and tie in defenders, or be stopped and lose the ball to a scrum.
The players need to be aware of the pros and cons of the maul, and their own strengths and weaknesses.
First, your players need to have a clear direction of travel through the ball to power up the pitch. Use the activity Centre the maul to develop this tactic.
The supporting players need to know their roles around the ball carrier. Our Easicoach curriculum activity Support the maul develops those basics.
A good maul sucks in defenders and maintains go forward momentum. Your team can create a maul from the edge of ruck and this game simulates what happens next. MORE
Ever-changing mauling shapes are difficult for teams to defend against. Though you want your maul to be steady, it also has to be dynamic. This session helps players build and maintain quick mauls that can then developed into attacking plays. MORE
Once a maul starts, the opposition will try to stop it by either packing players in to drive it back or by splintering it into sections. However, if your players can drive in towards the centre of the maul, they will form an arrowhead, which is tough to stop or break up. MORE
The basic principles of defence are:
Go forward
Provide support
Apply pressure
Regain possession
As you can see, they don't explicitly say tackling. So, if we really want to improve our defence, we have to look at the whole, not just one of the parts. MORE
Excellent technique in the scrum often outdoes a larger opposition team. Add to that a cohesive effort and your scrum should deliver clean ball when it matters. MORE
At the breakdown, many defensive teams concentrate a great deal of effort on scanning then spoiling the tackle area before the attacking half-back gets his hands on the ball. Top-tier New Zealand sides use a simple but very effective method of sealing the tackle ball and giving their 9 a line of defence from the would-be spoilers. MORE
Great kicking can score tries. It takes awareness. And if you can create plenty of scenarios in training where players can test out their kicking, they improve both their tactical and technical prowess. This goes for kicks in open play and kick-offs. MORE
It's a fact that players learn faster in training if they can relate the action being practised to a real game situation. Here I've selected four game-like exercises for developing passing techniques where the players develop their skills to match what’s happening in front of them. MORE
Get serious about winning games by working on active and successul rucks to recycle good ball to attack with - but use fun activites to practise these skills. MORE
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Like other disciplines, rugby has a jargon of its own.
Unless the meanings are explained they can be meaning-less.
That's why I've explained them in plain, simple English and with large, clear illustrations in my manual Rugby Tactics Made Simple.
But not only that, you'll learn how to coach the tactics with my tips. If you’re new to coaching or prefer a more simple style this is a great, straightforward introduction to rugby tactics.
"It highlights the key fundamentals of all aspects of play & gives coaches a good understanding of terminology and techniques at the highest level"- Richard Whiffin, assistant coach at London IrishMORE
Anxious about coaching rugby to children? Maybe you're already coaching, but sometimes struggling to get your points across at training?
Perhaps you sometimes simply run out of preparation time? Possibly you're feeling your sessions are getting dull?
Do you want a few new skills to boost your player's skills now? Or to help your players develop the techniques for seasons ahead? Maybe even the core skills for their whole rugby playing career?
Here's the answer... MORE
