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LOGINDriving to the edges
Work on attacking the edges of the ruck defence. That means not attacking next to the ruck, but the area often less well defended, two players out.
WHY USE IT
Normal ruck defence is set with two defenders close to the ruck. Attack outside them.
set up
Tackle tube, two ruck pads, a ball, a 10m channel, a 15m channel for the game situation.
HOW TO PLAY
ACTIVITY: Two ruck pad-holders, as defenders, start close to the side of the tackle tube. Put a feeder by the tube, with two attackers lined up outside the two pad-holders. The ball is fed to the attackers, who attack just outside the ruck pads, driving forward a metre, before going to ground to present and protect the ball. The players then get up and reposition to attack from the other side. Continue for four goes before swapping roles.
DEVELOPMENT: Take away one of the ruck pads or add a defender. Now, the support player has to work harder to protect the ball carrier.
GAME SITUATION: Two defenders start each side of the tackle tube, with four attackers on the other side (see middle illustration). The defenders can’t move into the 3m areas at the side of the channels until the first pass is made. Use full tackling and play until an infringement, the ball is turned over, or when the attack makes significant progress up the channel (at least 5m).
COACHING POINTS
- Attack close to gain line, outside first two ruck defenders.
- Drive into space between defenders with close support to recycle ball quickly.
- A feeder starts by the tackle tube and passes out to the player furthest away
- The two attackers aim for outside the pad holders, who are lined up in the two positions closest to the ruck
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- The attackers then drive forward and present the ball, the pad-holders going around to offer resistance
- The pad-holders recover into their ruck defence positions, on the other side of the tackle tube
- The attack then resets on the other side
- Put two defenders on either side of the tackle tube
- The defenders can’t move until a pass is made
- Four attackers come forward and with a pass attack the space outside the defenders
Dan Cottrell
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