Simplest ruck defence

Make sure your ruck defenders make gain line tackles to stop an attack making easy ground. It requires good body positions (low and dynamic), plus the discipline not to drift out. Put into a game context quickly with the developments and game situation.

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

What to think about

The first defender at the ruck who is not going to be rucking should go to the far side. The next to the near side, then far side. As the other players arrive they take their defensive positions from these three according to where the opposition stand. The defenders closest to the ruck need to decide how close they want to set up. In this session, keep it simple, asking the player only to be in position where he can see the ball.

set-up

1. Work as a pair at the edge of a ruck to stop any attacks going over the gain line.
2. Go forward and low. The inside defender must not drift out until the ball is in the first receiver’s hands.

What you get your players to do

Put two defenders between two cones 4m apart. Put an attacker with a ball just in front of him 1m away opposite one of the cones, with another attacker outside him (see picture 1 [1]). When the attacker moves the ball back, the defence comes forward. The attackers go forward, either with a pick-andgo, or pop pass. To start with, the defence can only make “square” tackles, by putting two hands on the ball, or their shoulder on the ball carrier. The defenders can come from a three-point stance (one hand on the ground), or low crouch. Develop with full tackles as the players warm up and improve their technique. Swap defence and attack every 30 seconds. Swap the side the play comes from (left or right) every cycle of players.