Kings of the counter ruck

LOGIN

Subscribe today to access over 2000+ drills, 350+ ready made practice plans, and more.

Counter rucking spoils the attacking team’s quick ball. Either your players win back the ball or, at worst, disrupt the opposition scrum half’s attempt to clear it. Once techniques have been embedded, this session progresses to the decision-making process for counter rucking.

Warm up time: 5-7
Session time: 8-11
Development time: 10-15
Game time: 15-20
Warm down time: 5-7

What to think about

What is the difference between rucking and counter rucking? Normal rucking happens when two players are bound over the ball on the ground. Once the ball has been worked to the back of one team’s ruck, then any attempt to drive in and join the ruck by the other team is regarded as counter rucking. How many players do you want to commit to slowing down the ruck ball? Normally, teams only want one player counter rucking. Otherwise there are gaps in the defence. This is why decision-making processes in this session are important.

set-up

Use short steps, drive in and up into the contact situation with your eyes open.
Concentrate on staying on your feet.
Target a player to counter ruck and aim to get under his shoulders with your shoulders.
Don’t counter ruck unless you have a target.

What you get your players to do

Put four players each with a ruck pad 2m from a line (like a touchline). Place four more on the line opposite each bag. When you shout “NOW”, they step and drive the bag back one step only (to help maintain balance - see picture 1). Check carefully for the right technique. Swap players around. As a development, start the “drivers” facing away from the bags or lying on the ground.

Drive the bag up and back one step only. Stay balanced, with the elbows held close to the body.

Development

Set up four defenders 2m from a line. Two hold ruck pads, one is on all fours with a ball between his shins and the other stands over a ruck pad. One attacker stands in front of each situation and has to drive back the defender in front of him. He then moves on to the next activity (see picture 2). A: He drives between the bags. B: He drives up and back a defender in a press-up position with a ball between his shins. C: He drives back a defender standing over a ruck bag.

Related Files

Core-322-kings-of-the-counter-attack.pdfPDF, 242 KB

Counter ruckers perform different skills for each situation: A: Drive between two bags. B: Drive off a low player . C: Drive off a player standing strong over a ruck pad. Players move from situation to situation after completing it.

Game situation

Put an attacker with a ball and a defender in a 3m square. Place three attackers and one defender behind the box with three additional defenders and two extra attackers 2m from the ruck (see picture 3). When you shout “GO”, the attacker moves forward and gets tackled. The players behind try to win the ruck. You then release the other defenders and attackers to either play off the ruck or counter ruck. Too many counter ruckers will leave gaps in defence if you lose the ball.

After the ruck forms in the “tackle” box with the players behind the attacker and tackler, release the other attackers and defenders who either counter ruck or protect the fringes. Warn against overcommitting at the counter ruck as you might leave gaps in defence.

What to call out

“Don’t pick up the legs of the pad holders.”
“Keep the elbows in just before contact.”
“Dip the hips and drive up.”

Dan Cottrell

Dan is a practising RFU Level 3 coach and coach educator. He coaches with the Bristol Bears DPP programme, is head coach of Bristol Schools U18s and the Rugby Performance coach for Bristol Grammar School.

He was head coach of Swansea Schools U15, Young Ospreys Academy, assistant coach with the Wales Women's Team for the 2010 World Cup, director of rugby for Cranleigh School, Surrey. He played for Bath, Bristol, Esher and Clifton, South West division, Gloucestershire and Surrey.

Editor's Picks

Wicked warm-ups

Being authentic, player relationships and 'why?'

Challenging players of differing abilities

Behind the scenes with: England U18s

Saracens Academy: Behind the scenes with the Wolfpack

Practice Plans

Go forward from the lineout

The session looks at running and support lines from the back of the lineout. There is a run up of around 10-15m for the ball carrier before ...

Long pass plays

Develop long passing for specific plays. This session works on running lines and timing as well as improving accuracy of passing in match-...

Four-man contact pods

This session works on players taking the ball into contact in groups of four. This is most likely in a game when you know the opposition is ...

Increase your options for 10

The fly half (10) has a controlling position to launch his team away from the opposition and into open spaces. He needs to be comfortable ...

Newsletter Sign Up

Join over 75k coaches that are saving time searching for fresh coaching ideas with our free email newsletter: ✔ New drills ✔ New games ✔ New warm-ups. Delivered direct to your email inbox

'T' for tackling

Use this full session to build up the right footwork to make strong tackles, both on an individual basis and within a team context.

Tackling from the hip

The best tacklers read a ball-carrier’s movements to anticipate where they are going. This session improves those skills by focusing on the ...

Finishing the tackle

A tackle is completed when the tackler has done all they can to prevent the carrier releasing the ball to their team’s advantage. Work on ...

Ask Dan: Defending better from set pieces

Coaching problem? Put it to our head coach Dan Cottrell. This time: Defending better from scrums and lineouts.

Coaches Testimonials

Gerald Kearney, Downtown Las Vegas Soccer Club

"I have been coaching competitive soccer for over 20 years in Las Vegas. I feel like you are my personal club director. My players and myself have learned a lot from your sessions. The exercises from Soccer Coach Weekly are easy to understand and implement. I never run out of ideas and there is always an exercise for whatever problem we need to fix. Thank you!"

Paul Butler, Florida, USA

"First and foremost, Soccer Coach Weekly is truly unique and exceptional for its clarity and for explaining the "why?", in addition to the "how?". Soccer Coach Weekly is also professionally managed - any issues, which are infrequent, are resolved in an expedient and courteous manner. I place Soccer Coach Weekly at the top of my recommendation list for any new or seasoned coach of the beautiful game."

Rick Shields, Springboro, USA

"I coach both young club players as well as players at the High School level and both genders. The talent range is wide at times, however with the use of Soccer Coach Weekly I am able to apply the information to all talent levels and player ages and make the session fun and challenging for all players. It has helped spark me at times when I am at a loss for what to do at the next training session or offers a different approach to a current problem."

Tony Green, Pierrefonds Titans, Quebec, Canada

"My team and myself are truly enjoying the Soccer Coach Weekly downloads. Pierrefonds Titans are a great group of U16 Females who compete in the Lac St-Louis Association of Montreal, Quebec, Canada."

Be a more effective, more successful rugby coach

In a recent survey 89% of subscribers said Rugby Coach Weekly makes them more confident, 91% said Rugby Coach Weekly makes them a more effective coach and 93% said Rugby Coach Weekly makes them more inspired.

SUBSCRIBE

Get Weekly Inspiration

All the latest techniques and approaches

Rugby Coach Weekly offers proven and easy to use rugby drills, coaching sessions, practice plans, small-sided games, warm-ups, training tips and advice.

We've been at the cutting edge of rugby coaching since we launched in 2005, creating resources for the grassroots youth coach, following best practice from around the world and insights from the professional game.