VIDEO: Ruck retiring – resetting from a loss in ground

Sometimes, a play from a ruck finishes behind the original ruck. Help your players understand their roles and reactions to reset and attack again with this scenario activity.

1. Put three attackers in front of a pair of ruck-pad holders.
2. Put a receiver and three other attackers about 5m away, with two defenders just in front of these attackers. Note these defenders will be ahead of the original ruck-pad holders.
3. Have a feeder pass the ball to the first set of attackers, who drive into the pad holders and present the ball.
4. Have the feeder gather and pass the ball to the next receiver who passes onto the next set of attackers.
5. With the defenders just in front of them, they will have to take contact, though they may be able to beat them.
6. Assuming they don’t, the ball is recycled again, with the original attackers now realigning to attack again.
7. Because the tacklers are free to attack the ball, the speed of the ball may be slow or fast. So, the attacking shape might need to change.

DEVELOPMENTS

• The ruck pad holders make up a new defensive line.
• Add in more defenders.

TECHNIQUE

• Good ball presentation allows quicker ball.
• Scan to see whether needed in the ruck or to be in the next wave of attack.

This scenario is complemented with the following activity:

VIDEO: Ruck retiring

in Contact, Rucking & Mauling, Rugby coaching videos, Rugby drills

Not all rucks form when a team is going forward. Sometimes, you have to regroup to win the next ruck which is behind the play. This activity recreates these scenarios by first ensuring that the players reload for the next ruck quickly and effectively. This is an ideal warm-up activity for all the players.  ... MORE