EXPERT SESSIONS AND ADVICE FROM QUALIFIED AND EXPERIENCED GRASSROOTS RUGBY COACHES
Clearing out opposition players from the ruck area is essential if you’re going to secure quick, quality ball and avoid turnovers. The ability to clear out the ruck requires good technique and tactical know-how, however, and not simply aggression and strength. MORE
The breakdown has many complexities and variables. To coach it more effectively, you need to have simple rules to follow to help focus your training. MORE
This rugby coaching video demonstrates how to coach players to attack from a ruck situation. MORE
Is a ruck better than a maul? No, because a maul can move forward, suck in defenders and, by doing so, create space elsewhere on the field. MORE
Rucking is often practised against contact bags and shields. Since these are soft targets, players may practise tackling and rucking more frequently and with less chance of injury. MORE
Have you heard of the term "ruck inspectors"? They are the players who you find floating around the edges of the ruck, looking at the mêlèe beside them without making any difference.
I often say to these types of players, if you have made the effort to get there, then make a difference. Here I explain how this should make a difference. MORE
The easiest metres to go forward can be found at the side of the ruck. If the defence is not quite in place, why bother passing the ball backwards five metres when you can simply pick and go around the edge. Coach this simple rugby drill to get your players practising a go forward tactic. MORE
This article offers a rugby coaching guide to rucking and the laws of the ruck. MORE
A simple calculation is required to work out whether you should attack the blindside. If your numbers are greater than the defence, then it is worth exploiting. If there is space wide out, the option is to attack the openside. MORE
This rugby coaching video clip shows a continuous counter-rucking rugby drill in which two defenders look to counter-ruck against the opposition's primary support. MORE
