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LOGINBattle of the heads
Win the space over the ball after the tackle to create quick ball. Work on your players getting their head over and beyond the ball while staying on their feet.
WHY USE IT
Where the head goes, so does the body. That is why, if your players win the battle of the heads, they have a good chance of winning the ruck ball.
set up
Two ruck pads and a ball.
HOW TO PLAY
ACTIVITY: Put a ruck pad on the ground with a ball on one side. On this side, put a ruck pad-holder facing away, about 3m from the pad. On the opposite side, put another player facing away at the same distance. On your command, the players aim to get over the ball so the non-pad-holder has drive off the ruck pad-holder.
DEVELOPMENTS: Swap roles. Double up both groups. Start the players from different angles, so they may have to run back and then round. Take away the ruck pads and make it a full contest for the ball.
GAME SITUATION: Put a player on their knees (or on one knee) in the middle of the box, in front of a player with a ball. The ball carrier walks or jogs forward, taking a tackle. The other two players then enter the box to compete to win the battle of the heads. Shout “Stop!” once you think one player has obviously won or when there is an infringement.
COACHING POINTS
Get to the tackle situation quickly, then drive over the tackled player and ball.
Make sure the players stay on their feet, keep square and in balance.
More like this...
- One player faces away from a ruck pad-holder, about 2m from the ruck pad on the ground
- Put a ball on one side of the ruck pad
Related Files
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On your command, the players race for the space over the ball
- Make sure they enter square and, in the case of the non-pad-holder, on their feet
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Set up an attacker and defender facing away from each other
- On your command, the attacker and defender enter the tackle area
- Put a ball carrier about 1m in front of a tackler on their knees
- The ball carrier moves forward to be tackled
Dan Cottrell
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