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 very best players always seem to make that extra yard or metre in attack. On rare occasions, it's simply a case of a bigger player crashing through a smaller player. But even the largest players can put down by well-organised and technically efficient defences. MORE
Make sure your players enter the breakdown legally – by getting tough through the tackle gate. This will also mean they’ll arrive square and in a better position to drive over the ball and win it. MORE
How you get your players to "talk" more in games and training is a constant challenge for coaches. Responding to a request for activities and advice from one of our readers, here's a selection of approaches. MORE
In this newsletter, we focus on the “how to coach” skills. That’s the way you coach, as much as what you coach. So, here’s 20 plus coaching thoughts to consider. Let’s start with advice on chocolate and other sugary delights. Having researched this carefully, I found I changed my mind on what I suggested to... MORE
Improve your success rate at rucks. For example, the winning teams in the first weekend of the Six Nations won over 95% of their rucks. Then, once you have worked how to win the rucks, figure out how to play away from those rucks. To warm up, let’s start after the ruck. In the VIDEO: Develop... MORE
It is not the “clean” but the ball placement, and what goes before, that is the most important skill to work on in the ruck. Accuracy before and into the contact area and great execution are more important than “emotional” rucking. FOCUS Excellent ball placement comes from ball freedom. The supporting players must know their... 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
