Ruck, ruck, ruck

Get rucking. This session will make your players ruck more than they will in a game, so they will be more than match ready. They will have to ruck fast, efficiently and when they are tired. The session takes place in a square, so players cannot arrive from the wrong angle or side.

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

What to think about

It is worth starting this session at walking pace. Make sure the player who is clearing out looks to do the following:

1. Get over the ball.
2. Drive in at a slight angle so he can unbalance the threat over the ball.
3. If the defender has his hands on the ball, the rucker either “breaks the window pane” by going through the gap in the arms OR by squeezing in the arms and twisting them.

Ensure players maintain their technique when they are tired. This will be hard. You can check by watching the height of their hips and shoulders at the contact area.

set-up

1. Clear out the defender who is over the ball.
2. Make sure you have got your shoulders and hips lower than the defender.
3. Use different techniques to ruck, depending on how the defender is set up.

What you get your players to do

Through continuous practice, your aim is to maintain your players’ rucking technique even when they are tired. Set out the defenders with balls as in the middle picture. Give each one a letter and place an attacker in the middle. Shout out a letter. The relevant defender leans over the ball, with their hands on it or nearby. The attacker moves in and clears out the player. Repeat three times before swapping the attacker. Rotate the defenders and attacker regularly. Check carefully that good technique is maintained.