VIDEO: Develop scrum shapes under pressure
in Rugby drills, Scrums & Lineouts
Here are some clips for all the players in the scrum to give them more powerful positions to drive forward. MORE
VIDEO: Scrum stability individual training
Here are some more one and two-player exercises to build stability under pressure which will increase core strength development. MORE
VIDEO: Developing scrum stability
in Rugby drills, Scrums & Lineouts
Ideally, a player is in the strongest position to scrummage throughout the scrum. However, with all the forces coming through contact, they will become unstable. Use these exercises to develop the body awareness to find stability. MORE
Top tips to coach U14-U18 scrums
Following my webinar with Spencer Williams, who is the rugby professional at Culford School, here is the recording and the slides. I learned a lot about how to work on scrummaging without a scrum machine, and not having the luxury of 8 v 8. We looked at some of the common problems players (and coaches) face. MORE
WEBINAR: Coaching scrums to school-age players
in Rugby drills, Scrums & Lineouts
WEBINAR ALERT: SATURDAY 5TH FEBRUARY 2022 930am UK time Struggling to know what and how to coach the scrum with U14s to U18s, then experienced schools’ coach, Spencer Williams has the solutions. Understanding that you often have limited time and limited numbers for full scrum sessions, Spencer will talk you through the key factors you need to cover.... MORE
Forwards’ coaches love detail
The best forwards’ coaches are often likened to nutty professors. Absolutely embroiled in the detail of lineouts and scrums, they find even the most mundane technique exciting. But their enthusiasm and understanding is all for nothing if their sessions are not interesting and engaging for the players. Watch England’s former lineout guru Steve Borthwick, now with Leicester, at work and you will see he’s constantly looking for ways to make training as close to the game as possible. Mike Cron, who’s done so much with the All Blacks over the last decade, is the same. MORE
Win lineouts on wet days
With a slippery ball, make sure your lineout is secure by getting the jumper into space to meet the throw. The pod of three acts together to beat the opposition into the air. Shortened lineouts in wet weather reduce the chances of dropping the ball and conceding territory. MORE
Lightning quick hooking
Scrum halves and hookers need to be on the same wavelength. The timing of the put-in and strike have to be perfect to ensure clean ball every time at the back of the scrum. A clean strike at the scrum means the ball is available before the opposition back row is ready to react. Work on your 2 and 9 put-in connection. MORE
Practise set-piece horrors
Though you aim for perfection, you know perfectly well that there will be times in the game when your team have to clear up the mess from a scrum or lineout. So, it’s worth devoting some training time to develop strategies to deal with these situations. MORE
Mix up your lineout training and tactics
in Email Newsletters, Scrums & Lineouts
Lineout training should be based around getting the basics right first. When Gary Gold was coaching the South African team with Victor Matfield and they were the best lineout in the world, he used to say: "They know where the ball is going, but Victor will always beat them into the air." But a lineout is not just about the jump/lift. It's also about what happens afterwards. Here are four activities to develop different aspects of this set-piece situation. MORE
