Thunder rucking

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Though players know this session is about rucking, it aims to reduce the thinking time involved in knowing when and what their specific roles are. That means the players need to “thunder” into the ruck – powerful and quick – when they identify that is their role. Any delay can mean slow ball or a turnover.

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

Players supporting the ball carrier don’t always know how they will be used and if they are needed to “clear out” defenders, then they have to react quicker to shape their bodies correctly. You can approach this session in two ways. You can go full out from the start and break down the skills before returning (whole-part-whole). Or you can build the session up from a slow start, making the outcomes and processes required clear. It will depend on what stage of the season you are at (whole-part-whole is probably better later in the season).

set-up

Look ahead of the ball carrier and check for threats.
It is better to be in a strong body position and square-on than to race into the contact area.

What you get your players to do

In a 10m square put three attackers on each side of the ruck pads on the ground, and two ruck pad holders about 3m in front of them (see picture 1). A feeder throws the ball to one of the attackers who runs into the gap between the ruck pad holders and goes to ground to present the ball. The other two players must clear out the ruck pad holders before they can step over the ball (see picture 2). Make sure the ruck pad holders keep their pads low so attackers have to drive in low.

Feed the ball to one of the attackers who drives into the gap between the pad holders.

Development

Add in another defender, without a ruck pad, behind the ruck pad holders. He can challenge for the ball. Put this defender in front of the ruck pads and he has to tackle the ball carrier to the ground (the ball carrier can offload).

The two other players have to react quickly and drive out the ruck pad holders before they can step over the ball.

Game situation

Put three attackers and two defenders back to back in the middle of the playing area (box them off if that helps). Throw the ball to one of the attackers. All the players turn and play. Allow one ruck or one maul. Play full contact. Stop on an infringement or try. Swap around attackers and defenders. Add in more attackers and more defenders, but no more than 5 v 4.

Throw the ball to one of the attackers, and all the players turn and play full contact rugby. Only allow one ruck or maul to form.

What to call out

“Drive from over the ball and away, not from the side of the ball”
“Talk to the ball carrier to keep connected – no such thing as silent contact”
“Be aggressive once you are in the contact – don’t hesitate”

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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