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LOGINRuck under pressure
Create a match-like environment at the ruck situation and help players become accurate in their clearance skills under real pressure.
WHY USE IT
This activity helps players become more accurate at the breakdown and speed up their decision making under match-like pressure, working on both ball carrying and the clearing out process at ruck time.
Set up
Balls, cones, 12 players, 8 ruck pads, an 8m square.
HOW TO DO IT
Stand four attackers by the centre cone in the square.
The sides of the square are numbered 1-4 with two ruck pad holders on each (see picture 1).
Call a number and pass the ball to the attacking group. They take the ball forward into contact against the two nominated pad holders and clear the ruck with one of the players acting as scrum-half (see picture 2).
The scrum-half communicates the ball has been won. You then call another number and the group must go round the centre cone and carry out the next ruck (see picture 3).
TECHNIQUE
- Players communicate their roles.
- The ball carrier uses footwork to hit the space between the pad holders or at the side of one defender to maintain their leg drive.
- Clear over the ball.
- Low body positions for support players.
- Scrum half calls when ball is won and begins next ruck.
- Put four pairs of ruck pad holders on the sides of the square
- Give each pair a number 1 to 4
- Put a group of four attackers in the middle of the square
Related Files
- Shout out a number and throw the ball to the attackers
- The ball carrier runs at the ruck pads. They go down and presents the ball, the next two clear out and the last player gathers the ball
- Once the ball has been recovered from the first impact, call a new number
- The attackers run to the middle, going around the cone, with the ball carrier running at the number called
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