Ruck Clearing and Decision Making

Advanced clearing exercises for senior players. The support player makes a decision on how to clear out the ruck based on the position of the opposition.

Ruck Clearing Exercises

Two crucial clearance techniques - the saddle roll, and the duck and clean. It's important for players to practice these at length, under pressure, under fatigue, and with an element of decision-making in order to best re-create a match situation.

Ruck touch - Focus on rolling players away

A key technique at the breakdown is the ability to roll players away, this applies when your opponent already has a good body position over the ball. Danny Wild from Leeds carnegie uses a game and breakout sessions to deliver his session

Maul and Ruck - Clearing the Ruck

Clearing the tackle area with pace relies on committed support. Clearance rucking is a dynamic method of restarting the attack if the defence has managed to create a breakdown.

Junior - Accurate clearing of players 1

Junior - Accurate clearing of players

Breakdown - Clear & Kick

Teach your players how to kick the ball at the ruck. With players sometimes reluctant to give away penalties this technique is a great way to turnover the ball and stay on your feet

Small-side game - Ruck Touch

There are many versions of ruck touch with the support players needing to recognise the needs of the tackled player.

The defence should be conditioned to provide increasing pressure to the tackle area. This will develop the situation recognision of the attacking players who must play accordingly. Robotics in rucking regardles of the situation should be discouraged and the option of picking upthe ball and going forward should be an option

Contact Square - Inside Clear

All attacking players need to fix their opposite defender.

Women's - Accurate clearing of players 2

Women's - Accurate clearing of players 3

Sevens - Accurate clearing of players 2

Sevens - Accurate clearing of players 1

Men's - Accurate clearing of players 2

Men's - Accurate clearing of players 1

Junior - Accurate clearing of players 2

Women's - Accurate clearing of players 1

Rucking - Live With 5

A clever and competitive practise using 5 players that involves passing, tackling and then making the crucial decision of what to do at the breakdown. This can be done from Under 12's upwards

Turnover session - Clearing

Breaking down the turnover situation into separate technical elements, players can work on their essential skills.

Here, in a series of progressions, the emphasis is on the first defender to arrive at the breakdown. They should attack the breakdown and fight to get through and past the ball.

Ruck Touch Rugby

Coaches can use games to introduce all skills for your age group. If you are very specific about the conditions you apply then players will learn these skills in a fun and enjoyable game

USA Sevens - Learn The Rules Of The Ruck

With less players the breakdown is much cleaner in Seven's and knowing the laws and being accurate in your skills wins matches. Mike Friday clarifies what can be a complex area and why many coaches focus on this facet of the game

Maul and Ruck - Youth Maul

The maul can be a fast method of retaining the ball. It commits more defenders. It can continue to gain ground. The dangers are when forwards and backs are separated in practice and the back-line players do not understand their role at the maul, or even back away from the contest.

Maul and Ruck - Under 13s and 14s Ruck

Training through traditional drills does not develop game understanding and players often become robotic in their behaviour

Conditioned games promote game understanding and encourage players to recognise the needs at any given situation

The drill should be used only to refine technique and the danger is to develop players that act without game understanding

Decision making at the breakdown - Ruck touch

Coaching players to make the right decision at the breakdown is a complex challenge for coaches. In this video Danny Wild from Leeds carnegie uses a whole - part - whole approach to help improve the players decision making

3. Ruck Touch

Breakdown - Coaching Players To Make Decisions

The coach uses a combination of drills & games to deliver a session on making decisions at the breakdown. There are some technical points and observations on the coach using classic "Tell & Yell" instructions

Maul and Ruck - Under 10s and 11s Mauling

Notice how the tackled player often remains on their feet and a mass of pulling and pushing begins

When a player is taken to the ground, the supporting players try to pick the ball up. There is not a natural inclination to ruck

Passing - 2 v 1 Static Defender

Now working in just twos, we are concerned with depth, and the timing of the pass. Allow players to practice before adding a static defender. This can be a tackle bag as demonstrated. Players take the ball up to the defender but must complete the pass before they reach it.

Stop Your Players Crabbing Sideways

Successful rugby requires players to run straight and fix defenders. This is a constant challenge to coaches and new ideas and exercises can freshen up your training sessions, this clip has two practises along with some advice from elite coaches

L2 - Support Line Breaks & Offloads

Skill Practice Description • The game begins with touch tackles. • Once tackled the ball carrier is allowed to step beyond the tackle line and the support from either side run toward (or attack) the ball. • The pass must be delivered behind the tackle line and not put back in front of the defence, so speed and decision making is vitally important. • Develop the game to grip tackles below the rib cage so the ball can be off loaded. • Progress to full tackles and the ball carrier must fight to keep the ball available. • The support must be aggressive in attacking the ball and getting between and beyond defenders. • When in full contact and the ball carrier cannot off load immediately, rucks and mauls may be played. Key Coaching Points • The game relies on good support play in all areas. This game illustrates the need for consistent and aggressive support. • The supporting players need to work for the ball carrier and attack the ball, getting in behind the defence for an off load. • Once the tackle line has been breached the attack must not allow the defence time to reorganise. • When progressed to full contact, the demand on decision making increases

Passing Progressions with defenders

Use progressions to change the pressure points so that players are taken "Out of their comfort zone" and experience more match related situations. Rugby is about creating a 2 v 1 opportunity so fixing defenders is one of the most important skills to learn

3 v 2 How to Fix Defenders

Running straight & fixing defenders is a skill that all players must learn and learn at an early age. The top players regularly practise this skill to maintain accuracy. This is the building block to scoring tries

Passing - 3 v 2 Live Defenders

Gradually progress from 2 static defenders, to 3 v 2 roaming defenders. The first two players must draw their defenders before giving the pass.

Worcester - Decision Making

The coach uses a tackle sausage and ball to replicate an attacking player. If the player falls back towards the defender he secures the ball, if the attacker falls further away the defender clears aggressively. This exercise could be worked as a support player for one of your own attackers

Maul and Ruck - U9 Coaching

Notice how these players do not naturally set up rucks. Both teams try to keep the ball away from breakdown situations.
What would these games look like if the coaches stepped in and insisted on rucking?

Beating defenders with speed

Changing speed is a skill which all players should understand

Passing - 3 v 2 Static Defenders

Progress to working in 3s against two static defenders. The pressure is on the middle player to hold their depth and perform a quick pass.

Breakdown - Grip and Roll (Saddle)

The grip and roll clearing technique, (Known as saddle clearing to some) is a technique to use when defenders have already established a strong position over the ball. Using brute force will probably fail so approaching the defender slightly from the side and using the clearers momentum he grips and rolls the player away

Coach Player Rapport

Do you understand the significance of 'Rapport" and how this can influence how good a coach you are. Elite coaches, experts and pundits provide a clear view of how important this is

Pressure players to make decisions

A simple attacking drill mixed up by calling a random number of attackers and defenders instantly before. This takes the players out of their comfort zone as they are forced to react and make decisions rather than pre-plan.

Quins - Tips On Fixing Defenders

The best players and the best teams can all run straight and fix defenders. For some it is the most important technique to master. This clip features three different practises

Rucking Zone

A tiring exercise of continuous rucking. Encourage your players to maintain good standards even when tiring and highlight the importance of getting straight up after one breakdown to make another.

Maul and Ruck - Misunderstanding the breakdown

Training through traditional drills does not develop game understanding and players often become robotic in their behaviour

Conditioned games promote game understanding and encourage players to recognise the needs at any given situation

The drill should be used only to refine technique

Fixing Defenders

Starting with a simple 3 man passing drill the coach adds pressure adding fixed defenders and then live defenders, the progressions are intended to be game related. Ask questions to confirm technical points

The Importance of Basic Breakdown Skills

Continuously we see that the best teams are those that perform the basic skills better than their opponents. Basic skills such as passing, catching, running, tackling, and rucking. The breakdown is an essential element to the game as teams look to control momentum. Mastering the basic rucking and clearing techniques gives many teams the edge, and the quick ball that is required to enable their attack.

Ball Retention Techniques

Progressions are used to build the technical competency and the confidence of players learning to clear defenders away from the contact area. It is interesting to see that no contact shields are used

Breakdown - The Saddle Roll Technique

This clearing technique is used to remove defenders who have latched onto the ball and are in a low body position. Coaches can vary the angle that the clearers approach from

Maul and Ruck - Maul Leg Drive

Staying on the feet and maintaining aggressive leg drive, can be very difficult to defend

Fitness - Reptile crawls for rucking

Fitness exercises to help players improve their effectiveness in contact are very popular at present. Jack Crehan talks through this exercise and demonstrates how it should be done

QBE - Ruck Touch

Support play in 3s, Offload and ruck

Practice the different options in recycling the ball. A lot of the time, the ball will be tied up and an offload won't be on. Develop this drill by allowing the players to call how the ball should be played, and for their teammates to react.

Offload behind Defender

A very useful skill if you are looking to break the gain line. The running lines and the communication from the support players are essential. This drill aims to develop the mechanics of the offload through repetition.

Contact Skills for Young Players

Leeds academy coaches cover the fundamentals skills for the contact area. This is a useful session for young players to focus on body position and key techinques.

Fringe Defence at the Breakdown

Building a defensive system starts with the first three defenders and what they need to do at the breakdown. The Northampton saints coaches go through the steps and progressions to help younger players learn the key movements and techniques

Coaching the Breakdown

The battle for the breakdown can decide matches. There are many elements that make up a solid breakdown, including ball presentation, speed of support and effective rucking technique. Log in to RugbyCoachingDrills to see video tutorials from top coaches and players.

Being positive with players is crucial

Building a positive environment for your players is important for their self-esteem and confidence on the pitch.

Player Welfare and Tackle Technique

Head injuries are a serious consequence to rugby and an area that deserves the attention of all players and coaches. Be proactive by coaching and re-coaching tackle technique to reinforce good habits.

Tactics Are For All Your Players

Danny Care scores a great try due to a lack of tactical understanding from several players. Simple match analysis would resolve this and outlines why coaches should work with all players on roles & responsibilities

Fun Sessions for Young Players - Start with Safety

We all want our sessions to be fun, but it all starts with the set-up, safety and reassurance from coaches. Particularly for young players. Achieve that and you will have a fun, productive session.

Players First - Challenging & New Games

What are the biggest challenges you face as a coach, we all differ and in this clip two under 15's coaches discuss what the struggle with and offer some solutions

Breakdown - Accurate Rucking

This series of clips shows how conditioning and good technique are crucial to be effective at the breakdown. The progressions are simple and the key coaching points are Low to high body position Strong leg drive Accuracy on the target - The tackle bag

L2 - Attacking a Drift, Blitz and Cover Defence

Skill Practice Description • Within a game of touch the coach can at any breakdown - call blitz, drift and the defenders must run and touch the appropriate line. • The coach may also give players numbers in order to call specific defenders to leave the defence line which will create the need for defence to realign quickly. • Attackers must face the other way and attack when the ball is rolled from behind them. • On the coach’s call, the attack turn and the closest attacker picks up the ball and plays. • This ensures the coach can vary each player’s role and make the defence react. • Coach can then develop game by giving a visual clue to the defenders thus making the attackers react to an unexpected type of defence. Key Coaching Points • Visual Acuity-Looking for space. • Spatial awareness. • Highlighting defensive systems and attacking them appropriately. • Decision making. Relevance to the Game • This game is excellent for visual acuity and attacking differing defensive alignments. • Spaces are created by the leaving defenders, which the attackers have to identify

Reaction Tackle

Keep your players on their toes with this quick-fire 1v1 tackling exercise. Start with bags then progress to live tackles. Defending players have an obstacle to negotiate before performing the tackle, just as they may have in a game.

L2 - Mis-match Touch

Skill Practice Description • Two or three players (depending on numbers in each team) wear bibs of a different colour to the others. • The players in bibs can participate in every way except their tackles do not count. • The objective is for the team in possession to attack the areas these players defend. • If other defenders move to cover the players in bibs, that will open space elsewhere. • The defence may position the bibbed players in order to protect them or limit the spatial options. • Any strategic thinking is to be encouraged. • A progression may be to remove the bibs and nominate players to role play as non tackles or loose tackles if playing full contact. • It is the job of the attack to identify and find these weaker areas in the defence and take advantage. • It is the job of the defence not to leave these players exposed in too much space. Key Coaching Points • The attacking team are to scan for weaker defenders. • Once identified, keep working the attack to these areas. • If the defence cover the weaker defenders the attack should scan to seek out alternative opportunity as a result

Conditioning for Young Players

Even if players are too young to go to the gym, it can be beneficial for them to do bodyweight exercises that help to prepare their bodies for more physical rugby in future years. Sam Bennett from Leeds Carnegie highlights some of the key points for young players to consider, which apply to all players at amateur or competitive level.

Breakdown - Using games to coach

Academy coaches use conditioned games with strict rules around the tackle / touch activity to teach the skills required for contact and clearing defenders away. Questioning is used as the main style of coaching

Worcester - Live breakdown work

A further progression for players to make decisions with multiple attackers and defenders on what the 1st and 2nd player does at the tackle

A Player's Responsibility to Prepare

It's not just down to coaches to prepare players for the game. Most of the work must be done by the players themselves, to ensure they are in the best physical and mental condition to perform and learn.

Player / Coach Relationship

How much say do your players have in how you train and prepare? Premiership Rugby stars share their experiences.

Core Stability for Rugby Players

Becoming stronger and more powerful is important for rugby players of all standards. However, it is important for players to have a strong core before they progress into lifting weights. Here are some simple core exercises that can be done anywhere without any equipment.

Conditioned Touch - Linked defenders

In this game, two defenders must link up, slowing them down and creating more opportunities for the attacking side. This can create the overlap necessary to put 2 v 1 and 3 v 2 techniques into practice.

The Most Important Values For Players

Saracens academy manager Don Barrell explains his views on what the most important values young players should have and what he looks for

L2 - Penetrating Defence Game

Skill Practice Description • The playing area is marked out in 5m channels. • When defending, players must stay within their channel throughout the game. • The attack must look to penetrate the defence by creating and preserving space. • The defence must use a two handed touch. • There is a 5 tackle turnover rule and once possession is turned over, the defence must get into a channel as the opposition can attack immediately. Key Coaching Points • Support players to hold their opposite number as long as possible before cutting a line to take the pass. • The defender can close the space as far as the edge of their own channel. • If the support player cuts too early or the ball carrier does not move their defender enough, the support player will be touched/tackled. Relevance to the Game • This game will help develop the footwork and running lines to effectively move defenders in order to penetrate the tackle line.

Stay square & fix defenders

Create space by fixing defenders. This is one of the toughest skills to learn and in this clip Colin Osbourne from Harlequins explains some of the challenges coaches face and how to "Stay square"

Trust your players - John Neal

Psychologist John Neal explains the importance of trust in the development of a coach's relationship with their players.

Jonathan Joseph - Improve Player Skills

Holidays are the perfect time to get stuck into some individual skills and this clip provides a few ideas and advice from leading players

Four Player Continuous Passing

A quick drill to focus the players before going into a session or at the start of a match day warm up.

Improving your relationship with players

Psychologist John Neal explains how critical it is for a coach to have rapport with their players, parents, co-coaches and club staff, to understand how they think, and therefore build better relationships.

Expert - Conor O Shea - what makes a great player

Conor O Shea gives us his thoughts on what makes a great player

End Ball & Connecting Players

Fantastic game for warm ups, integrating new players and working on a wide range of skills. Its fun and this example has a "Game within a game"

Techniques needed to box kick

Elite coach and player go through the skills required to box kick. There are three main steps and some recommended practises with some added competition to help improve

L2 - Outflanking Game

Skill Practice Description The objective of this game is to develop the ability to execute the 2 v 1 with consistent efficiency. • The attacking team initially has at least one extra players in order to create an advantage. • There is a channel on each wing in which only 1 defender and 2 attackers may enter at any time. • The attack works the play to get the ball into the outside channel then execute the 2 v 1. • With the extra players, the attack can also develop opportunities to penetrate the defence and so the game in not relying on lateral moment and still incorporates the principles of ‘go forward’. • The progression is to remove the cones and see if the players can still take advantage of the 2 v 1 without the conditions set within the channelled areas . • A further progression would be to even the numbers of each team. Key Coaching Points • Running lines to condense and hold defences in order to outflank. • Running lines in order to disrupt and penetrate the defence line. Relevance to the Game • Attacking players often fail to fix defenders effectively and may drift or over elaborate. • This game will assist in angles of run that fix the last defender

Men's - Support Player Leach

Men's - Support Player Leach

Paul Hull: Do Players make Good Coaches?

Paul Hull explains that sometimes former players can make great coaches, but they need to combine their technical knowledge and experience with the right communication skills.

Women's - Injured players and medics

Women's - Injured players and medics

Players First - Circle & Caterpillar Game

A great fun game to get training started and integrate new players into your squad. Lots of progressions and a variety of skills on show

Draw the defender and support in channel

The key to creating space is to move a defender away from the space, this drill allows the ball carrier to create the space and the support runner to attack the space

Defence - 9. Widest Players Organise

The widest players are most often best place to assess the threats and have a major role in directing the defence

Maul and Ruck - Maul Gain Lines

With the maul, the gain line is fluid and the defence can be forced onto the back foot
With the ruck, the gain line is static and the defence are often set and on the front foot

3 v 2 and then another defender

Develop decision-making skills in attack. 3 attackers must beat 2 defenders, before facing a third immediately after.

Junior - Players warming up

Junior - Players warming up

British Lions - tackle then Jackal then clear out

Many of these drills require repetition, here we see how the importance of good body shape in contact can be practiced as both the jackler and those clearing out the tackle

Three player passing challenge

A simple passing game that is fun and competitive. You can add more players in and vary the distance to make this harder or easier. Different balls could be used as well. Dad's can do this at home as a fun game

Defence - Defensive Systems

This clip shows past footage, but from this bird’s eye view, it clearly illustrates the organisation required to be a sound defensive team

Providing feedback to players - John Neal

Psychologist John Neal expresses the importance of giving effective feedback as a coach.

Managing the Contact Area

Concentrating on the actions of the tackler and the support player in the moments after a tackle. It's important to practice the correct body position and technique so that the right decision can be made on the pitch.

Breakdown Touch

This is a game which can be used to introduce contact gradually into pre-season training. With each touch, one player from each side must compete at a controlled breakdown situation. It is important for players to maintain good technique when they are fatigued, and for the coach to manage this.

Games for coaching Contact

The coaches use a variety of conditions for both the attackers and defenders to reinforce the coaching points. Small sided games enable players to learn in a live environment similar to actual match conditions

Bouncing - The key to contact skills

Encouraging players to improve their "Floor" skills is the key to improving contact skills such as tackling, rucking and competing for the ball. It might be simple but it is effective

2nd man at breakdown

What is the role of the 2nd defender at the tackle or breakdown? How do you coach players to be effective

England Players - Make sessions fun

Ben Youngs and Lee Mears describe what they think are the essential ingredients that make up a fun and productive rugby session. Both were taking part in an England Rugby coaching challenge with schoolchildren in the build up to the 2012 Six Nations.