Better Rugby Coaching

1. Ruck beyond

When a player hits a ruck, they should aim to end up beyond the ball. Even better is for them to be on their feet, moving forward two or three metres beyond the ball. This prevents the danger of too many bodies over the ball. Too often players come to rest on the ruck or just lean over. This just adds to the traffic, legs and feet getting in the way of the scrum half trying to clear the ball.

Subscribe to Better Rugby Coaching’s weekly newsletters

2. Inside foot

When players arrive they should put their inside foot over the ball. This leads to three great advantages:

• Driving through and out, so clearing players more effectively.
• Stronger body position through the centre of the ruck.
• Less chance of feet hitting the ball.

3. Spine in line

The old coaching adage in rucking, but easily forgotten – get the spine in line with the direction of the play to gain maximum power through the contact area. Bums to posts (meaning bums in line with posts) is another phrase being shouted at players at the moment. It also makes good sense from the point of view of the referee, who will penalise players who come in from the side.

4. Shoulders, hips and finger tips

Get your players’ shoulders and hips lower than the shoulders and hips of the players in front of them. If you can also touch your finger tips on the ground just before the contact, then, as long as the hips are lower than the shoulders, the contact should be enormous.

5. Leave the ball alone

If players look to pick and drive (gather the ball and take it on), or even try to secure the ball by picking it up, then the momentum of the drive is lost and it just causes more traffic. Also picking the ball up can lead to players being off balance and potential knock-ons as well. Help players make decisions on when to pick and drive and the only time to do this – when the ball is clear at the back of the ruck.

 Subscribe to Better Rugby Coaching’s weekly newsletters