Rugby coaching tips on the ruck

Though your players may use all the contact skills in the continuum during any one game, you need to have a clear idea on what areas to concentrate on. So, first check where your players are on the continuum.

1. Low body position into contact

• Protects the ball and player – better ball security and player safety.
• Enables dynamic forward movement and drive, whether ball carrying, supporting or clearing out.
• The body is better placed for acceleration away from contact.

2. Ball in two hands and secure as he goes to ground

• Two hands on the ball prevents the player putting out a hand to break his fall when tackled.
• Practise judo or parachute drop rolls with the ball in two hands to improve confidence.
• As players get better, in practices have someone trying to rip the ball away as the ball carrier falls.

3. Ball placement

Essentially there are three ways to place the ball:

• At a right angle to the touchline, reaching back and placing with two hands away from the body.
• “Jack knifing” the body, to place the ball a long way from the tackler. The body is parallel to the touchline.
• “Squeeze ball” (only allowed from above U18s rugby). This is facing forward but hunched on the knees, with a straight back and shoulders lower than hips. The ball is pushed back through the legs.

4. Cleaning out defenders

• Low body position, driving through contact with dynamic short footsteps.
• Drive through from low to high (rib cage height) like a jet plane taking off.
• Chin up, eyes looking forwards.
• Same foot forward as the shoulder in contact to increase power transfer.
• Know what and where the tackle gate is.

5. Sealing and securing

• Bridging legally with a strong position, so the player over the ball is hard to shift.
• Wide legs (at least shoulder width apart).
• Straight back.
• Look forward.
• Bind tightly.

What and when?

Knowing what to do at the ruck and when to do it is the hardest aspect to master. Because the game is ever changing, it is rare that two situations are the same. Players who realise what skills to use and can use them well, usually make the right decision at the right time.

Expert players have an understanding of their balance and strength in contact, and are often able to be pro-active in their movements and decisions. Very often this is based on natural talent, but also experience and good coaching and feedback.

It is worth stressing that there is never a wrong way to do a skill, but there are only degrees of efficiency and effectiveness in achieving the best result.

This article was originally in Rugby Coach Weekly, designed for all coaches of developing players.