Ruck / breakdown

Tim Robbins

Just noticing a pattern in a lot of junior rugby recently.

1. Attacking teams ruck for say about 3 seconds and then just stop. The other team counter ruck, disrupt or even turnover and the attacking team seem to get a shock - thinking there's something illegal going on.

I think teams need to work on what I'd call 'parking' at a ruck. I'd split the ruck up into two phases: driving and parking. The inital driving phase - the first 3 seconds - is really about cleaning out any defenders there. The second phase is to sort of crouch and 'park' to ensure your scrummie is protected and you don't make it easy for the other team to come back in and counter ruck. You stayed parked until the the scrummie has passed to the 10.

I get the impression teams are training just on the first phase: smashing back a tackle bag and then thinking "job done". It's not done. Your tackle bag won't counter ruck but a decent team will.

2. Defending teams seem to think that just because they enter the post tackle area legally and get one hand on the ball that if they shout "must release sir" they'll get a penalty. They won't.

Secondly, why are they just putting a hand on the ball? What they should be doing is a ripping action. This means lower body position, centre of gravity closer to the ball and then user upper core and using arms to rip the ball.

Why not concentrate on doing that rather than shouting "must release sir"?

If you are ripping the ball (rather than putting your hand on it) and being prevented from getting it surely there's a better chance the ref will give you the peno?

Also, putting your hand on the ball is really bad habbit. Once the ruck starts - if you don't move it you are liable to be penalised because you are illegally slowing the ball down.

You opinions...

Especially interested from anyone coaching!

irishbucsfan

Actually your second point on the releasing is something that frustrates me as a player as well.

Many times I've seen the attacking team take the ball into contact, and the opposition players put their hands on the ball, and they release. They don't pick it up, rather they just push it back towards the tackled player and keep their hands there resting on it. It looks like the attacking team haven't released, whereas they have. Obviously it's smart play on their behalf because a penalty is more useful than a turnover. You could say its the attacking team's fault for not clearing out the ruck properly, I suppose.

castie

Yeah thats happened for me actually.

I was trying to turnover the ball but it was a wet day and couldnt get a grip.
Defender had released fine so it was just my fault.

Ref gave me a penalty for holding on.
I looked a bit baffled but hey you take it when its going!