Ruck, pass, ruck

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Sometimes it's possible to wear down the opposition with constant pressure. You use multiple rucks until a gap opens. At the top level, this can last beyond 10 rucks and sometimes over 20. It is unlikely that your team will have as many consecutive rucks but you can replicate constant ruck, pass, ruck situations with this session.

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

What to think about

Rucking is not a pushing contest but a battle for the space over the ball because you cannot put your hands on it. Work on players winning the space over the ball, clearing away obstacles and staying on their feet. If they are not clearing or protecting, it is a waste of time. If you can film them on your phone during training, even for a couple of 15-second bursts, they will be surprised to see how little some of them contribute - and make them want to contribute more in the future!

set-up

Concentrate on winning the ruck ball accurately first and then make sure passing skills are accurate.
Drive from low and stay square in the rucks.
Run straight and pass firmly in open play.

What you get your players to do

Set up two groups of three players as in picture 1. Put a ball carrier about a metre away from a tackler. Tell the ball carrier to run to the cone immediately behind the tackler, where he is tackled and the other players ruck over the ball (see picture 2). When the ball is clear on either side, shout “BREAK” and the players discard the ball then run around to pick up a different ball from behind the attacking team’s starting point (see picture 3).Both sets of three run into the end corridor and then to the other end passing once each before resetting and repeating (see picture 4). Go through three times.

Set up a ball carrier about a metre from a tackler, each supported by two other players. Get the ball carrier to run forward, be tackled and the other players form a ruck.

Development

Instead of both teams running the same way between the cones for the passing element, get one group to run in the opposite direction to create chaos. Put a defender inside the running channel. Add a player to each group.

Shout “BREAK” to disentangle the teams from the ruck. They discard the ball and run into the end corridor, picking up a different ball on the way. They pass the ball once each and then return and set up again at the other end. Replace the two balls used so the activity can be repeated.

Game situation

Set up four ruck pad holders in pairs as in the bottom picture. Put five attackers opposite each pair of pad holders. When you shout “GO”, the pad holders have to be driven back at least three metres. At least two players must do this. The other players run into the box and compete for the ball. Each side tries to score a try.

Five players on each team side of the box stand opposite two ruck pad holderss. Two players drive the ruck pad holders back while the other players run into the box to compete to retrieve the ball and score a try.

What to call out

“Fight to get ball placement”
“Drive over the ball”
“Communicate and realign as you recycle yourself from the ruck”

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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