How to make decisions at the ruck situation

Decision making at the ruck situation causes rugby coaches the most headaches. Here are some soothing rugby coaching solutions.

Feet, feet, feet

Rucks are, by definition, situations where the ball is on the ground. Famously, the mighty efficient rugby ruckers from old New Zealand sides used to shout "feet, feet, feet" when entering ruck situations. This certainly made opposition players get out of the way fast.

The modern game rejects this form of "tough" rucking, but still recognises the importance of feet at ruck time.

The rugby coaching solution

Create rugby drills where careful placement of the feet are required at the same time as contact. For instance, stepping over obstacles such as pads, ladders or hurdles before driving into a player or contact pad. Increase the intensity by requiring players to bind together before stepping over the obstacles.

Arms like a gorilla

A gorilla (a close relative of many front row players!) has a great body shape and stance for a rugby player. The hips are lower than his shoulders and the head is held up. If a player can arrive at the ruck situation in this position, then they are well placed to see their options and so make the best decision quickly.

The rugby coaching solution

Create rugby drills where the players need to run low to the ground, with their heads up. Here are two ideas:

Place a ruck pad on the floor just before a contact situation. A player who arrives has to brush the pad with the backs of the hands simultaneously and then step over and make contact.
Use a pole (or post protective pad) held by two players and set at the height you want the players to make the contact. The players have to go under the pole. Encourage them to keep their heads up by moving the pole and the point of contact. This way the players have to make sure they are looking where they are going.

Players make decisions not coaches

Knowing when to pick up, when to drive and when to stay out is not an exact science. Given that there are so many chances to mess up, the coach should create situations where players have to make the decisions. The coach should comment afterwards.

The more times the players have a chance to make mistakes, and also taste success from their own decisions, the better the chance that they will be able to replicate this in the game.

The rugby coaching solution

Practice lots of ruck decision-making rugby drills. In other words, situations where there is more than one possible solution, but with some solutions better than others. Try a 3 v 2 game in a small area, then build up the numbers.

The Ruck and How to Win It is packed with illustrations, training tips, coaching sessions and drills to help you sharpen your players' skills, enhance your side's technical expertise and channel your team's aggression to create a powerful "rucking machine". Click here to read more and to order your copy today.