Close the ruck gate

WHY USE IT

Quick ball comes from clear roles and good execution.

set up

Balls, ruck pads and cones. Split players into groups of four, each with one ball and a ruck pad.

HOW TO PLAY

ACTIVITY: One player, holding the ball, drives into another player, who is holding the ruck pad. The ball carrier goes to ground and presents the ball. The next player drives directly over the tackled player while the third player drives in behind them. Swap roles and repeat.

GAME SITUATION: Six players and a feeder start about 3m from a ruck pad-holder and a defender. You can put them inside some cones to provide a focal point for the first ruck. Three of the players run at the ruck pad, with the ball carrier going to ground. The other two create a long, thin ruck. The feeder picks up the presented ball and passes it onto the next three players, who run at another pad-holder and defender. The defender aims to steal the ball or disrupt the ruck.

COACHING POINTS

• Present the ball, trying to minimise the size of the tackle gate (jack knife or long placement).
• Next support player: go over the ball, then stop just beyond the tackled player.
• Last support player: go right in behind the previous support players and stop at the ball.