Simple scrum body positions

Set-up

Some ruck pads.

What you get your players to do

Stand up straight with his head in a neutral position. He should have his feet parallel and just over shoulder width apart. Make him bend at the hips only. Make him bend his arms at the elbow and pull his shoulder blades together. Check he has not moved his head out of a neutral position. Then make the player stand up again and make him bend only at the knees, with shoulder blades together. Finally from a standing position, make him bend at the hips, then knees and drive into a ruck pad which is only touching distance away (use scrum engagement sequence).

Look for

Does the head remain in a neutral position?

If the player becomes unbalanced when he bends either his hips or knees, check his feet are pointing forwards and just about shoulder width apart. He should grip the ground with his toes.

Development

Get the player run into position, before bending exercises and engagement.

Bind two players together, side-by-side, and have them repeat the exercises.

Notes

A neutral head position is where the head is bent neither forward nor back. Even when the player leans forward, he should keep his head in a neutral position, looking forward through his eyebrows.

Making sure the arms are back and chest pushed forward helps the player draw his shoulder blades together. Work in pairs with the players coaching each other as well.