Ruck and run

WHY USE IT

This activity starts as an individual ball-carrying and clearing exercise but can then be developed to make it more tactically relevant with small groups or pods.

SET-UP

Ruck pads and a ball.

HOW TO DO IT

EXERCISE 1

•  Working against an angled line of defenders on a basic pick-and-go rhythm, the players carry the ball into the first pad with the emphasis on the first support player to clear the first threat. 

   

•  Immediately the next attacker picks up the ball and aims to go forward, probably into the next ruck pad. 

   

• The attack must be sustained until there are no more attackers or for an allotted time. The pads can work around to continue the angle of defenders.

EXERCISE 2

• The players are faced with different numbers of defending pads. This should aid decision-making and the speed of the ball.
• The pads have a licence to change those formations.
• You can extend this activity into your team phase play by using a scrum half and playing your forwards off 10 and or 12.

TECHNIQUE

• Be aggressive and hit with impact to give quick ball.
• Anyone can play scrum half if the scrum-half is not there.
• In exercise two, make one than one pass to someone at pace from depth
• Communicate if you break the line offload.