Body position is crucial to compete at the breakdown, "Duck & Clean" is about ensuring that the players hips are lower than his opponents, this enables the player to get lower and clean in a "Low to high" movement which is both safe and effective
The contest at the breakdown is always changing and new techniques are often introduced however there are some fundamental skills required and this clip explains some of them
Retaining possession in Seven's wins matches, it's that simple but these days you need to improve your contact skills. Phil Greening provides a few tips and some insight into some of the USA's training drills
Get in pairs and players start in a press up position. Players hold onto opposite arms whilst still in the press up position. The aim is to remain balanced and work to pull the other player over
In pairs. Each player grabs one end of the tackle pad. The players wrestle to grab the tackle pad from the other players grasp. Repeat a couple of times.
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.