Rugby drills to boost core ruck skills

The following rugby drills aim to improve your players' ability to drive out opponents from the ruck. The objective is to secure quicker, better quality ball for your scrum half.

What you tell your players the drill is about

Driving out opposition players from the ruck quicker.
Securing good, quick ball for the scrum half.

What you tell your players to do

Arrive at a ruck in a position to drive an opposition player backwards.
Have a body angle on arrival to keep you on your feet.
Aim to drive on and grab an opposition player's "hook" (an arm or leg) or "handle" (shorts, pockets or shirt).

What you get your players to do

Drill 1

One player lies on his side on the ground and puts a ball in front of him no more than 1 metre from his hips. Two players, starting 3 metres away, have to lift and roll him over the ball.

Drill 2

One player makes a bridge shape with the ball under their hips. Another player, starting 2 metres away, has to drive the player backwards, by focusing on a hook or handle.

Drill 3

Set up four situations across the pitch where a team of four players has to perform a combination of drills 1 and 2 in the fastest time.

two drills to coach core ruck skills, 1, lifting and rolling over the ball, 2, making a bridge

two drills to coach core ruck skills, 1, lifting and rolling over the ball, 2, making a bridge

Develop the drills

These rugby training drills can be developed as follows.

Add more defenders into each situation.
Use ruck shields, held so they are touching the ground, to get players lower in the contact area.
In drill 2, place a "tackled" player next to the ball.

A game situation

The drill session can be developed by playing the following game.

In a narrow playing area, say 20 metres wide, divide your players into two teams with two extra players on the attacking team.
Give the attacking team the ball. They have to score at one end of the pitch.
The attacking team is allowed three "rucks", lasting for only three seconds on your count, otherwise the attack fails.
Allow plenty of time for rest between the attacks and change the players around regularly.
Develop the game by widening the pitch significantly.

Key rugby coaching tips:

What to call out

"Chin off your chest, helps keep your head up."
"Look over your eyebrows to keep your back horizontal to the ground."
"Take short steps before contact to keep balanced."
"Target one opponent."
"Drive through and out to clear the ruck."

What to look for

Players not focusing on the ball. Driving out opponents should be to free up the ball, not clear out players for the sake of it.
Miss hits at the contact area. Players should keep their eyes open and put the same foot forward as the shoulder with which they make contact.
Players falling over at the ruck. Are they approaching too fast and off balance? Emphasise "low to high" body positions at the point of contact.

What to think about

Should ruckers bind with each other before contact? Does this work for your players?
Do you want your players to drive beyond the ball or simply stand over and protect it?
How do players know if they should go into a ruck or not?
If a player arrives at a ruck and the ball has already been won, what are the options?