Scramble rucks

Even when your players run predictable lines, there are still going to be occasions when they need to support the tackled player. Perhaps picking up a loose pass or a move does not quite work: The ball carrier will be momentarily isolated on the ground and your players need to be over the ball to secure it. Here is a session to practise this.

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

This is a very practical session. Players are working on their reactions and decision making, so you do not want to be stopping them too much to focus on technique. In the warm-up, you can focus on specific technical points but here you want to be working players on the situations, with plenty of chances to have a go. The timings on this session will vary depending on the fitness of your players. There is a lot of physical work and they will tire easily. You can either work with this fatigue factor, replicating a match situation or you might want to work them in shorter bursts to retain their energy levels.

set-up

1. Tackled player: Fight to the ground to present the ball.
2. Support players: Identify threats as you arrive and clear them beyond your team mate on the ground.
3. It is better to be late and ready than early and unprepared. Good technique is crucial.

What you get your players to do

Split into 4v4 with a separate ball carrier and defender. The groups of four run around the circles (see picture 1), with only one player allowed between each cone at anyone time . When you shout a letter, the ball carrier runs into and through one of three boxes, where the defender will tackle him (see picture 2). At the same time, the circle attackers and defenders react to win the ball. Play until there is either a turnover or the ball is clearly won by the attacking team.