Ruck surprises

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The ball carrier cannot guarantee to cross the gain line. Therefore, support players have to be prepared to arrive from all angles, sometimes starting well behind the contact collision. Excellent technique and a good understanding of the Laws are essential lessons from this session.

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 essential you referee this session as the referees at your level of the game would. Your players will try to make infringements. You can “sin bin” frequent offenders and make them work at the side of the exercise. This could be a simple drill like 10 mini rucks into a ruck pad, but make sure the players stay on their feet. Even more effective is to have someone else referee whilst you coach. You could have the players coach this session, and ask them to offer the answers for improvements.

set-up

Move quickly into a position to make a difference at the contact collision.
Pick threats to the ball and clear them.
Stay within the Laws. Listen to the referee.

What you get your players to do

Put two defenders in the middle of the box and four attackers on the middle of each edge. Give the attackers a letter each and have them pass a ball around the box. Shout out a letter. The named attacker has to reach the other side of the box. The other attackers help as soon as the letter is called. Referee the ruck as it would be in a normal game. Play full contact rugby.

The attackers pass the ball around the box

Development

Make some or all of these adjustments:

Add another defender.
Put the attackers on the corners, but give them each a try line to aim for.
Make the attackers follow their pass before you shout out a letter.
Put the defenders at different starting points.
Have the attackers do one press up after passing.

Related Files

Advanced-254-ruck-surprises.pdfPDF, 137 KB

On your command, one player runs at the line opposite supported by the other attackers.

Game situation

Set up four attackers centrally within the box and four defenders at each corner surrounding them. Have the attackers pass the ball between them. On your shout of “GO”, the attacker with the ball has to score at the far end. Play full contact rugby. Referee strictly. Swap attackers and defenders after each attempt. Add up the tries after five attempts each. Deduct a try for a penalty infringement.

When you shout “GO”, the current ball carrier runs for the try line, with all the other players joining in. Play full contact rugby. Deduct a try for penalties.

What to call out

“Ball carrier – fight to keep the ball alive”
“Supporter players – keep your hips and shoulders square to drive more effectively”
“Stay on your feet in the contact area”

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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