In the intense and physically demanding world of rugby, mastering the ruck is essential for success. A well-executed ruck can provide a team with quick possession, disrupt the opposition’s attack, and ultimately influence the outcome of a match. To achieve proficiency in ruck play, teams engage in a variety of drills designed to hone their skills, improve technique, and build cohesion. In this article, we’ll explore some of the best rugby ruck drills for training, focusing on those that enhance players’ ability to win and maintain possession at the breakdown.
- Pillar Drill:
The Pillar Drill focuses on developing the core skills required for effective ruck defence and support play. It involves three players: a ball carrier, a tackler, and a support player. The drill begins with the ball carrier running towards the tackler, who executes a controlled tackle. As the tackle is made, the support player arrives quickly to secure possession by driving over the ball and clearing out any opposition players.
Key objectives of the Pillar Drill include:
- Teaching the tackler to make a dominant tackle and release quickly to contest the ball.
- Reinforcing the importance of immediate support play to secure possession.
- Emphasizing communication and coordination between players to execute the drill effectively.
- Body Height and Positioning Drill:
Proper body height and positioning are critical in ruck play, as they determine a player’s ability to generate power and leverage at the breakdown. This drill focuses on teaching players to maintain a low body position and drive through the contact area efficiently.
Players form two lines facing each other, with one line assuming the role of attackers and the other as defenders. On the coach’s signal, the attackers drive forward, while the defenders aim to maintain a low body position and resist the opposition’s momentum. Coaches provide feedback on body positioning, technique, and effort, encouraging players to stay low and drive with intensity.
Key objectives of the Body Height and Positioning Drill include:
- Reinforcing the importance of maintaining a low body position in ruck play.
- Developing players’ ability to generate power and drive through contact effectively.
- Providing immediate feedback on technique and effort to facilitate improvement.
- Clearing Out Drill:
The Clearing Out Drill focuses on teaching players how to effectively clear opposing players from the breakdown to secure possession for their team. It involves a combination of physicality, technique, and timing to execute properly.
In this drill, players form a ruck with one player acting as the ball carrier and another as the defender. The ball carrier presents the ball on the ground, simulating a breakdown situation, while the defender attempts to contest possession. On the coach’s signal, support players arrive quickly to clear out the defender by driving them away from the ball and securing possession for their team.
Key objectives of the Clearing Out Drill include:
- Teaching players to arrive quickly and decisively at the breakdown to secure possession.
- Developing the physicality and technique required to clear out opposing players effectively.
- Emphasizing the importance of timing and coordination in ruck support play.
- Jackal Drill:
The Jackal Drill focuses on developing players’ ability to compete for possession at the breakdown, known as “jackaling.” This skill is essential for winning turnovers and disrupting the opposition’s attack.
In this drill, players form a ruck with one player acting as the ball carrier and another as the defender. The ball carrier presents the ball on the ground, simulating a breakdown situation, while the defender attempts to contest possession. On the coach’s signal, the support player arrives quickly to compete for the ball, adopting a low body position and driving over the ball aggressively.
Key objectives of the Jackal Drill include:
- Teaching players to recognize and exploit turnover opportunities at the breakdown.
- Developing the technique and aggression required to win turnovers and secure possession for their team.
- Emphasizing the importance of timing and precision in jackaling.
Conclusion:
Rugby ruck drills are an essential component of training for any team looking to excel in the breakdown. By focusing on key skills such as ruck defence, support play, body positioning, and turnover creation, these drills help players develop the technical proficiency and tactical awareness needed to dominate possession and control the game. Incorporating these drills into regular training sessions can significantly enhance a team’s ruck play and ultimately contribute to their success on the field.
