Scrum Factory - 11. Flanker Channeling and The Role of the Number 8

The roles of each player in channelling the ball to the number 8

Junior - Straight Scrums 2

Two even packs compete at the scrum, good technique creates a good and safe contest. The black team use the platform from the scrum to score a try wide out. Key factors : 8 players working as a unit - Calling - Strong body position - Hips, back and head all facing forward - Accurate binding

Performance Analysis - Scrum 8 use

Performance Analysis - Scrum 8 use

8-man Scrum

A demonstration of how to construct a full, 8-man scrum.

Scrum Factory - 8. Individual Technique

Each player should understand how their individual contribution affects the scrum as a whole

8-man Scrum v Machine

Testing your scrums in training using a scrum machine / sled helps to ensure all of your pack practice the correct body position and timing in cooperation with their team mates. This is a great time to try out new combinations of players before match day.

8-man Scrum v Machine

With the brakes on, the scrum is more realistic to game situations, and the players must apply power at the same time to achieve any movement.

Infringements Clip 8 - Scrum Half Management

Level 2 - Scrum Body Positions

Level 2 - Scrum Body Positions

Scrum Factory - 9. Scrum Positions

The role of each position

Scrum Factory - 5. TOP Towels & Bands

The use of towels and bands are used to develop front row posture just before engagement when the body weight is forward and balance is important

Scrum tips for Props

This clip provides some advice for the front row on their binding, body position and driving in the scrum.

Scrum Factory - 16. Building the Scrum

A straight drive and square culture, will bring about eight players doing the same thing at the same time

Coach the Scrum Half Pass

This clip outlines some of the fundamental techniques required to become a good passer of the ball from the ground, an essential skill for scrum half's. Simple and easy instructions for both coaches and players to benefit from

Sevens - Straight Scrums 1

A strong scrum from the black team turns over the ball for an attack. The left hand prop (Loose head) puts pressure on the Red team hooker so that he does not hook the ball effectively. Key factors : Tight binding - Low driving position - Working as a unit - Leg drive

Sevens - Wheeled Scrums 1

A strong scrum can be a great weapon for attack in seven's, in this clip the Red scrum puts pressure on the defending loose head (Right hand prop) which wheels the scrum and allows the defending scrum half to disrupt the ball forcing a turnover. Key factors : Tight binding - Low body position - Leg drive - Working as a unit

Sevens - Straight Scrums 2

Scrums are a great platform to attack from in seven's, notice the fly half (2nd reciever) is directly behind the scrum and can choose which way to attack. Key factors : Work as a unit - Strong core - Tight binding - Leg drive

Women's - Straight Scrums 1

A well contested scrum from both teams. Good technique and body position ensure a solid and safe scrum. The red team use this restart to kick and gain territory. Key factors : Strong body position - Tight binding between the players - Calling - Players push in a straight line - Ball control from ther no 8

Scrum Factory - 2. Tower of Power Demonstration

Good body posture is essential and applicable to all players regardless of age and gender
This posture transfers to the tackle, ruck, maul and in a vertical plain the lineout, so it is important that all players are coached to adopt good posture in contact

Lions 09 - Driving Body-position

A great practice for ALL players in the scrum to adopt the best position to drive from. You can use tackle bags as well as tyres

Lions - Building the scrum practice

Building the scrum to the full 8 man - focusing on body shape

Back Play from Set Piece - Attack from Scrum

It’s not a matter of going through the strike move repertoire. It is about selecting appropriately from the repertoire according to the opposition and game situation.

Attacking the space between the two teams is paramount and attacking the ball when running support lines will assist the offload and turn defenders.

Back Play - Attack From Scrum - Younger Youth

To take advantage of the forwards being grouped and to utilize the space this provides, young players should be encouraged to develop their decision making from a non-prescriptive environment.
It’s not a matter of going through a strike move repertoire. Its a matter of attacking the space between the two teams and running support lines that will assist the ball carrier

L2 - Fly Half Development

Skill Practice Description • Two channels each 15metres wide • Two attacking lines of four players; one line in each channel • Scrum Half with two balls • Three defenders lined up to defend the designated channel. • SH passes ball to 1st attacking group on the coach’s call. • D1 goes for A1, D2 for A2, D3 for A3 • Attackers to fix defenders and release overlap. • Coach shouts “Break” and the three defenders run to defend the other channel against 2nd group of attackers. • On coach’s command “Go” the 2nd ball is passed to the second line • Rotate the groups and alternate which channel has the first strike / second strike • Vary the timing of the second call which releases the ball for the 2nd strike. An early call frees up space for the fly half because the defenders will have little time to get into the second channel. A late call, allows defenders time to get across, and it means the fly half will have to prevent the drift and effectively use the overlap. • Initially the coach can control the defence telling the defenders to leave the overlap and be fixed; then allow them to drift, then allow them to try anything to stop the attack. Here is also an opportunity to coach how to defend. Key Coaching Points • Stay square - outside shoulder should be seen by scrum half • Run at defenders aiming at the inside shoulder • Move when the ball is in the scrum half’s hands or when it is in the air. Do not creep forward before then.

Scrum half pass with Lee Dickson

Lee Dickson leads a passing session at the Northampton saints summer training camp. The focus is on doing the simple things well and progressing the practises to make things more challenging

Teaching scrum engagement

Coaching the scrum has a series of processes to follow and once you have established a strong body position the engagement and getting ready for the engagement is the next step

Scrum-half Passing Exercises

Some useful exercises for scrum-halves to develop their passing skills.

New Rules of Play - Under 10s - Scrum Coaching

The introduction of the scrum for both mini players and coaches can be confusing. This clip explains the the reasoning behind the 3 man scrum and the technical points that ned to be taught

Dean Ryan: Intellect at 8, 9 and 10

Dean Ryan explains how the intellectual players at 8, 9 and 10 can help the cohesiveness of a rugby team.

Scrum Factory - 3. TOP With Rugby Balls

Expensive training equipment is not necessary and the simple rugby ball can provide an excellent technical and conditioning work out

Scrum Factory - 6. TOP Stick Work

By using sticks and poles, the players are encouraged to self assess their body shape. Peer coaching is also a valuable process in this area and players can work in pairs, quickly learning from each other

Coaching the new Scrum Laws

An brief summary of coaching the new scrum engage sequence. Always include a good upper body warm up and highlight the importance of a strong core with your players. Check the 'Body Position and Technique' section for full videos including hooking technique.

Scrum Half Passing with Chris Cusiter - Wrist Warm-Up

Sale Sharks and Scotland scrum half Chris Cusiter leads a session on passing from the base of a scrum or ruck. In this first video, Chris addresses basic technique in a couple of exercises that warm up the wrists and arms.

Scrum - New Drills & Progressions

Set piece coach George skivington from London Irish talks through some new tips to coach the scrum

Scrum Technique Progressions for youths

Working from a single players body position to a full scrum can be daunting for some coaches. In this clip there are simple steps to progress and the technical points are consistent

Step 5 - Introducing the 3 v 3 Scrum

Scrum - Tighthead tips for Senior Players

The dark arts are not for all of us, but the minority of specialists will benefit from this clip. You can share this video with those who should see it. Go into the video library where you can send it on - RCD Video Library

New Scrum Laws - Tips and skills

A current professional prop works with Under 18's to explain the new laws and challenges their body positions and how to improve them

Lineout Tips from London Irish Forwards

London Irish forwards talk through some of the elements that make an effective lineout, and how you can prepare for a match.

Scrum Factory - 10. Put in and Strike

Practicing the strike can be developed with the left side triangle, so the key players involved are working together

Scrum Factory - 4. TOP Core Balls

The core ball provides a variety of challenges to the player in both body management and technical competence

Scrum Factory - 15. Binding

The bind should be secure as opposed to tight. A secure hand grip will enable the players to react to pressure whereas a tight bind may limit the ability to respond and change position

Back Play - Attack From Scrum - Older Youth

It’s not a matter of going through a strike move repertoire. It is more about specific selection from the repertoire in order to attack identified targets according to the opposition and game situation
Attacking the space between the two teams is paramount and attacking the ball when running a support line will assist the offload and turn defenders

Lineout Catch & Drive

Premiership Rugby coaches and players highlight the importance of the lineout as an entry point and an attacking platform. Join PremiershipRugbyCoaching.com for ideas and examples to improve your lineouts.

Building the Catch and Drive

The driven lineout is an increasingly effective attacking platform. Here is a quick preview of some of the exercises and advice available on Premiership Rugby Coaching. Join now to see more.

8. Attacking a Drift Defence

Strong Body Position for Scrummaging - Full Session

Revisiting the finer techniques can help to build the overall strength of your set piece, and your attack. Before even getting to the scrum machine, you can develop your players strength through their body position.

Scrum Factory - 13. Key Triangle Explanation

Building the scrum in triangles

Expert - Conor o Shea - what is the role of a scrum half

Conor O Shea disucsses what a scrum half is responsible for

Tackle Technique 3/5 - Drive Through

This stage looks at tackler maintaining a square body position and following their feet to drive through.

British Lions - Play from scrum - continuity 2

Developing play from the scrum is an important part of the understanding of how the scrum is part of a gameplan

British Lions - play from wheeled scrum going left

Developing play from the scrum is an important part of the understanding of how the scrum is part of a gameplan

Lions - play from scrum - continuity

Developing play from the scrum is an important part of the understanding of how the scrum is part of a gameplan

Leg-drive in Contact

Staying strong and maintaining a leg-drive when in contact can help to gain territory, give teammates more time to support, and sometimes, counteract the tackle entirely. In this clip, Eastbourne College score a try against Eton as a result of powerful running and leg-drive.

Sevens - Strike Moves 1

A simple but effective attack from a scrum. Three good passes provides the winger to run past his defender to score. Notice how the first reciever is directly behind the scrum and not to the side, (This makes the pass from the scrum easier when under pressure). Key factors : Position of 1st reciever - Run straigh and wide spin pass - Speed of the runner

Lineout Catch-and-drive

Lineout catch and drive drill

Men's - Straight Scrums 1

An example of a straight scrum.

New Rules of Play - U9s

When viewed as a training session the New Rules Of Play are very straight forward and this clip should explain most of the changes and what you should be doing as a coach

Principles of Defence - Go Forward

Ex Harlequins coach explains the basic defensive principles - starting with ‘Go Forward’.

JWC 2012: Forwards Passing

At the JWC 2012 is was clear that more forwards were passing the ball.

Junior - Straight Scrums

Junior Scrums

Expert - Conor O Shea - What makes a great scrum half

Conor O Shea discuss the profile of scrum half

Step 4 - Introducing the 2 v 2 Scrum

Step 3 - Introducing the 1 v 1 Scrum

18. Wide Touch

Women's - Lineout catch & maul / drive

Women's - Lineout catch & maul / drive

Richard Wigglesworth - Scrum Half Tips

Saracens and England scrum-half, Richard Wigglesworth, talks about improving your skills in your spare time.

New Scrum Laws - Hooking Technique

Jon Curry at Northampton Saints discusses the new scrum laws and their implications for hookers, along with some exercises to get them up to scratch. Log in to see the full session and many others.

Rugby Netball using goals on wide pitch

A game for developing players understanding of space out wide.

Richard Wigglesworth - Scrum Half Tips

England Scrum half Richard Wrigglesworth discusses the factors which help players improve and how to approach training

Ball retention wide

If a drift defence has you pointed towards the touch-line, the wide player should change their running direction and attack the inside defender. This is proactive and gives more chance for the ball to be recycled for another attempt.

6v2v2v2v3 wide

Channel development into a decision making exercise with the empahsis on going straight then wide

Scrum - 1 vs 1

Practice body position and warm up for full scrum session.

Broncos 6 - Attack to Defence 8 v 5

A combination of skills are tested, both technical and tactical with the defenders moving from a passing activity to defending 8 attackers. The coach can change the attack with different starting points and number of attackers

Leg drive and offloads

Staying strong in contact and using the leg-drive can commit extra defenders. If then, you can make an offload to supporting players, overlaps should be created. It is difficult to defend a strong offloading attack, and here, Stowe School are rewarded a try for their slick hands.

Sevens - Lineout catch & maul drive

Sevens - Lineout catch & maul drive

Women's - Good leg drive

Women's - Good leg drive

Principles of Play-Go forward

Principles of Play-Go forward

Lions 09 - 3-man Scrum Practice

Develop the front row as a foundation for the building of the scrum

Lions - 3&5 man scrum practice

A progression from the 3 man scrum - developing body shape and positions

Junior - Lineout catch & mail / drive

Junior - Lineout catch & mail / drive

Level 2 - Scrum Warm up Activities

This clip shows some appropriate warm up activities for the scrum

Lions - Full scrum practice

Full scrum practice - essential at all levels of the game

Focus on Scrum Half

Great scrum halves always bring their own individual elements to the game, but an excellent command of the basic skills is essential for all of them. Join now to see position-specific exercises and tips from Aviva Premiership Rugby players and coaches.

Women's - Straight Scrums 2

Women's - Straight Scrums 2

Men's - Lineout catch & maul drive 2

An example of setting up a maul after a catch and drive at a lineout

British Lions - scrum practice 2

Progressiing the scrum practice always requires the underlining of the basics of the unit skill

Men's - Lineout catch & maul drive 1

Men's - Lineout catch & maul drive 1

Men's - Collapsed Scrums 2

An example of a collapsed scrum

Men's - Wheeled Scrums 4

An example of a wheeled scrum

Men's - Wheeled Scrums 3

An example of a wheeled scrum

Men's - Wheeled Scrums 2

An example of a wheeled scrum

Men's - Straight Scrums 2

An example of a straight scrum

Scrum Factory - 12. Unit Development

Putting together the scrum may vary technically and tactically and there will also be personal preference. So working on units and subunits should be a partnership between the coach and the players

Scrum Factory - 14. Sub Unit Engagement

Using the triangles to coach an effective scrum

CCRU - Principles of Play - Go Forward

Go Forward using:
Running speed and balance

Evasive running

Kicking

Maul and Ruck - Maul Leg Drive

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

Building the scrum

It is important to slowly build your scrum each row at a time, particularly if there are new players in your pack, or an inexperienced front row.

Team patterns from scrum

Play from the scrum is essential and this is one option

Scrum Factory - 1. Body Shape Intro

Develop the individual before the unit as a whole