Ruck, rest, ruck

LOGIN

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

Your players need to be able to ruck, then move on to another tight action / task (like run, tackle or pass) and then probably ruck again. In matches, rucking does not happen in isolation. This session works on improving your players technique at rucks, breaking away, then rucking again.

Warm up time: 5
Session time: 5-8
Development time: 6-9
Game time: 15-20
Warm down time: 7

What to think about

Rucks are hard work. They sap energy. But if you are serious about creating multiphase rugby, you need players to recycle themselves quickly to be part of the ongoing play while your side has possession. Here are three questions to ask your players:

If you are on the ground from a ruck, what is the most likely part of play you will be involved in next
If you are arriving at the ruck, what would stop you entering that ruck?
What is your running line from a ruck if the next phase is behind the gain line?

set-up

Ruck well and then get back into the game.
Make a difference at the ruck or put yourself in a position to make a difference elsewhere.

What you get your players to do

Put two pairs of players over two ruck pads as shown in the top picture. Put a feeder behind one of the pairs. Shout “GO” and the players try to push each other so they can step over the pad. After a few seconds shout “BREAK” and the players disengage and run back around the cones behind them before attacking and defending in the space between the pads. Swap players in attack and defence after each attempt.

Players drive into each other over the ruck pads before breaking and attacking and defending in the middle area.

Development

Put two pairs of defenders in the first two boxes. Put three to four attackers opposite the first set of defenders and then another three opposite the second set. The attackers run into the first box, drive forward and form a ruck. If they win the ruck, they pass to the attackers in the next box. Any number of attackers can support this attack. If they win that ruck the ball is moved into either the next box or the previous box. Only two defenders can defend in each box so the first two defenders have to cover the next attack. Continue until an infringement or a try is scored.

Related Files

Advanced-274-ruck-rest-ruck.pdfPDF, 161 KB

One side attacks through the first box. If they win the ruck, they move the ball into the next box. Only two defenders can defend in each box.

Game situation

Put six attackers and five defenders in the wider box, set up as in the bottom picture. The attack attempts to score at the try line but can only form two rucks in the wider area. After which, they have to try and score in the narrow area only. Swap teams after three attempts. Restart on any infringement or after a try is scored.

The attack starts close to the defence and aims to score at the far end. If two rucks are formed, then they can only score in the narrow channel.

What to call out

“Win the ruck first”
“Where can you make a difference?”
“Put yourself in position to go forward if you can take a pass”

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

Quick ball placement

Allows for quick rucks and chances to attack when the defence is at its most vulnerable. Use this to build up the essential skills.

Myths of speed training

Isaac Leung, of Athletic Skills, on developing the pace within your players.

Pods attack

Create attacking shape, where forwards understand where to run to support the next phase. The groups of forwards are called pods and need ...

Creating a positive climate for learning

The key to success, on and off the field, comes from the environment that you develop as a coach. Burton RFC’s Harry Titley shares his ...

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.