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LOGINQuick gates
After a series of rucks, players are often out of position, and if there is another ruck, then they may find themselves in front of the play. This means they have to get back onside and then get “through the gate” to drive out opposition players. This session concentrates on getting players in the best body position to enter the ruck.
Warm up time: 7-10
Session time: 10-15
Development time: 10-15
Game time: 15-20
Warm down time: 7-10
What to think about
How many players should commit to the ruck? This is a tactical question based on your game plan. Some teams will opt for only two players at the most, so these players need to make the most of their presence. In the game situation in this session you can test out your tactic, and adjust accordingly. What is “counter rucking” and when should we use it? Once the ruck has formed, that is a player from each side bound over the ball, a counter rucker makes a secondary drive. The aim is to disrupt or slow down the opposition’s possession. Sometimes, it can lead to a turnover. It should be used if your team are not overcommitted in the ruck.set-up
- Get to the back feet of the ruck and square up your shoulders and hips.
- Dip by bending your knees and hips before driving up and away any defenders.
- Don’t cheat on the corners, because you will give away a penalty.
What you get your players to do
Set up a box, bag, ball and player as the diagram. From the press up position the player runs back around the corner of the box, comes in through the cones and picks up the tackle bag (or pad). He places the bag over the ball. Another player then repeats the exercise from the other side.Development
With the same cones in place, put an attacker with a ball and a defender in the box. Put another attacker and defender at the side in press up positions. When you shout “GO” the defender tackles the attacker in the box as he moves forwards. The other two players come back through the gates and compete for the ball. Add more players to this situation as techniques improve and make some start from further away.Related Files
Game situation
Put a ball carrier and defender in the middle box. Number six defenders 1-6 and six attackers 7-12. Place them as per the diagram. When you call out a series of numbers, the ball carrier tries to beat the defender, while the “called” players join the game. You can shout any combination of numbers, with overloads for either defence or attack. After a couple of attempts and swapping attack and defence, players line up in threes in any combination, so 1,7,10 could be standing where 4,5,6 were previously.
What to call out
- “Don’t cut the corners”
- “Go through the cones with your shoulders square”
- “Use your legs to bend and then extend to improve the pick up”
- “Be accurate before being quick”
Dan Cottrell
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