Introduction to “rucks” session
in Rucking & Mauling, Small-sided games
First time for rucks, or even the second season of rucking? Then use this session to get your players thinking and then playing contact in the right way. MORE
Planes taking off
in Practice plans, Rucking & Mauling
Safe rucking equals good rucking. This session helps players get the idea that arriving at the ruck with a good body position will give them more power at the contact and will keep them on their feet. This low to high movement is like a plane taking off. MORE
The last resort for continuity
To create continuity, your players need to understand their support roles at the tackle contest. They also need to practise being innovative for when it goes wrong. MORE
Baby Black ruck decision making
in Rucking & Mauling, Rugby drills
Make quick, accurate decisions at the ruck with the role of the first support player based on the incoming threat from the nearest defender. The first support player has to judge the tackle situation to decide on his role. This is best trained through game-like activities where there are lots of possible outcomes. MORE
Coaching decision making at the ruck, the Razor way
in Rucking & Mauling, Rugby coaching, Small-sided games
Making quick, accurate decisions at the ruck will help create quick ball. The role of the first supporter at the ruck is based almost entirely on the threat of the nearest defender. Here is how I define the different options and ways to coach those options more effectively. MORE
Spider crawls for 1 v 1 rucks
Use the spider crawl to create better body profiles at the ruck. It keeps the players low and able to drive up as the opposition threats arrive. MORE
Ball place, ball steal, ball protect
Improve your players’ rucking skills by building up their contact techniques around ball placement, trying to steal the ball and protect the ball from a steal. MORE
Look after it
in Practice plans, Rucking & Mauling
Ball presentation is crucial to ensuring quick, clean possession for the attacking team. The tackled player must get the ball back as far as he can towards his team. He should also control the ball for as long as he can, without being penalised for holding on. MORE
VIDEO: Messy start close-ruck attack and defence
in Rucking & Mauling, Rugby coaching videos, Rugby drills
Use this ruck scenario builder to develop heads-up attack and defence. Defenders have to match up, deciding whether to stay in the ruck or defend other threats. The attack has to win the ruck and the decide how and where to attack. The messy start means that plans have to adjust quickly. MORE
Ruck races in defence – two activities
in Rucking & Mauling, Rugby drills
Use these activities to develop your players’ detail at the breakdown to win crucial turnover ball. MORE
