Rugby coaching tips for the front row

Timing

When the pack engages, the cohesiveness can be improved by calling the engage together.

It can be called by the whole pack or just a pack leader (I prefer the whole pack).

Pick the shout you want your team to use. For example:

• “Squeeze, knees, drive”: Squeeze the binding, flex the knees and then drive on the engage.
• “In 1, 2, 3; drive 1, 2, 3”: The use of numbers to continue the momentum of the engage and drive. Some teams will use more numbers to keep the drive going further, e.g. “drive 1, 2, 3, 4, 5”.
• “Sit – And – In”: A rhythmic call that is simple and says what the front is going to do.

Former Ospreys prop Andrew Millward says that too often he sees sides stop on the engagement. In fact they should be driving forward as soon as the shoulders touch or chasing the engagement.

He said: “We concentrate on the speed of the feet movement going forwards, with quick, short steps. The calls help the timing – we use “hit, 1, 2, 3, 4” and then a quick step “1, 2, 1, 2”.

"My main piece of advice here: Sharpen up the calls.”

Secret of winning the engagement

If the prop can apply the pressure with his head at exactly the same place on their opposite number every time, then after a while it begins to become very uncomfortable for the opposition.

Test this yourself by pressing the exact same point on your ribs every five seconds, then you will understand the effectiveness of this secret technique. To help, your players must keep their eyes open throughout the engagement.

Secret of more successful scrummaging

• Look up before the engagement: This keeps the back straight, and makes it easier to focus on the contact point.
• Draw in the bind: When the two front rows engage, the props must pull their opposite number towards them with the bind. This prevents disruption and strengthens the props’ positioning. It gives the props more dominance and push. Try “drawing the binds” on a scrum machine and see the improvement in push without any leg power.
• “Total Impact Method”: A method of engaging used primarily in New Zealand. The props sit back initially and then lean forward so they are held back by the lock forwards and number 8. The lock forwards and number 8 then drive the props forward on the command “engage”. It requires very tight binding and also referees who have a good understanding of the scrummage.

This article is from Secrets of the Front Row manual.