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LOGINCrunch the ruck towers
This innovative practice makes players get their height at contact right and also requires them to stay on their feet through the contact area.
WHY USE IT
Create good body angles at the ruck so one player can dominate.
set up
Three to four ruck pads.
HOW TO PLAY
ACTIVITY: Stack three or four ruck pads into a tower. Put two players either side of the tower no more than half a metre away. Make them drive the top ruck pads back - the contest winner is the player who drives the other player back beyond the pads. With the second angled tower, make one player drive down onto the slope while the other player attempts to drive the top pad back.
DEVELOPMENT: Build a balanced tower. Put two pairs just to the side of it. On your signal, make them drive into the top pad. Look at the outcome after five seconds to decide who made most ground.
GAME SITUATION: Split into groups of four. Put two pairs from each team on their knees in the middle of the pitch facing each other. Put another player from each team on a corner and the last player on the middle edge of the box. Throw the ball to one of the kneeling players. They are tackled by another of the kneeling players. All other players have to enter the contest on their feet - and legally. Play until an infringement occurs or a team scores a try.
Coaching points
- Get square and keep balanced and going forward.
- Keep pumping the feet.
More like this...
1. Put a player each side of the ruck tower
2. They drive through the top pad, with the winner being the player who drives the pad back over the tower
3. Set a different shape with the tower, so one player is driving lower than the other
4. Nominate the same shoulder to drive with, so the players don’t go head-to-head in contact
Related Files
1. Have two pairs come in from an angle
2. Again, the winner is the team that retains its feet and push the ruck pad back over the tower
1. The receiver is tackled on their knees by the player opposite
2. Feed the ball to one of the kneeling players
3. All the other players must get to their feet and enter the breakdown from the correct angle
Dan Cottrell
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