Mauling moves for power plays

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Ever-changing mauling shapes are difficult for teams to defend against. Though you want your maul to be steady, it also has to be dynamic. This session helps players build and maintain quick mauls that can then developed into attacking plays.

Warm up time: 5
Session time: 6-9
Development time: 6-9
Game time: 15-20
Warm down time: 7

What to think about

Players need to understand the term: dynamic mauling. A maul must always be moving so that it does not become an easy target to stop. However, there is balance between the movement and the ball carrier becoming detached or the players losing their balance. Therefore, the front players have to keep shifting their focus of drive, looking to move forward towards the point of least resistance. It is a collective effort, hence the need for good communication. The ball should be released before the maul comes to a halt.

set-up

Keep moving, if not forwards, sideways, then forwards.
Non-ball carriers, keep square, hips and shoulders going forwards.
Ball carrier, keep talking and let’s get four hands on the ball.

What you get your players to do

Put one ball carrier with his back to two ruck pad holders about a metre away. Three other attackers face the ball carrier. Get the ball carrier to turn and drive into the ruck pad holders. The other attackers come in to support and drive the ball carrier forward at least five metres. The attackers can choose whether to pull the ball to the back of the maul, keep the ball carrier with his back to the pads or tell the ball carrier to drive the ball on the hip. Develop by adding another defender behind the ruck pads who tries to disrupt and grab the ball.

Mauling moves - The ball carrier turns into the ruck pads and his support players aim to drive him and ball five metres beyond the defenders’ starting point

Development

Set up three attackers and two defenders as in the middle picture. Get the attackers to aim to drive the ball out of the defenders’ end of the box and then run free. If they move out of the side, lose the ball or go to ground the attempt is over. Add attackers and defenders to develop.

Mauling ahead - The attack aims to move through the defenders’ end with the ball off the ground, so the ball carrier can run free

Game situation

Split the box into three columns, (say 6m, 12m, 6m) and put five attackers in one half and three defenders in the other half. The attackers have to carry the ball while on their feet to the far end. They score 3 points for a score through the middle area, and one point through the edge. The ball carrier must be on his feet and detached from his team mates to score. The ball can only be handed to another player, not thrown.

Without passing the ball in the air, the attack has to get to the other end with the ball carrier on his feet and detached from his team. Three points for scoring through the middle. One point in outside boxes

What to call out

“Short steps, and keep dipping the hips to add to the drive”
“Drive towards the ball to create an arrowhead rather than straight to give a target”
“Shield the ball”

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.

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