Ruck tackle turning drills

"Pick and go," the act of a forward scooping up the ball at the back of ruck and attacking the nearest defender, is becoming more common. In return, defences are becoming more sophisticated in dealing with this type of manoeuvre. Use these drills and coaching tips to advance your players' skills.

Gone are the days when you were likely to run into a local sheep farmer who simply threw you about. The modern defender is using judo and wrestling moves to turn the opponent.

What you tell your players the drill is about

Making individual front-on tackles at the side of rucks more aggressive by wrapping up or turning the ball carrier.
Getting the tackler in a stronger position to tackle more aggressively.

What you tell your players to do in the drill

The tackler sets himself so he can grab the player around the chest, either coming from below or down from above.
Once he has locked onto the ball carrier, the tackler twists the ball carrier to unbalance him, and either turns him in the tackle or brings him to the ground to compete for the ball.

What you get your players to do

Place two cones, 5 metres apart. The attacker stands at one cone with a ball 1 metre in front of him. A defender stands 2 metres away.
The attacker has to pick up the ball and put it onto the cone behind the defender. The defender has to "grab" the ball carrier and stop him from reaching that cone.
Once the ball carrier has gone to ground, the tackler has to get to his feet to play the ball immediately.
Start with the attacker walking, then increase the pace.

rugby drill to get players practising ruck tackle turning skills

Develop the rugby drill

Change the starting distances.
Change the starting stance of the attacker – a high position followed by a low position.
The attacker and/or defender comes into the coned area from an angle (situations 2 and 3 in the diagram).

How would I put this drill into a game situation?

5 v 5 keep ball

A team of five attackers play five defenders in a 10 metre box. Have the attackers at one end of the box with the defenders 2 metres in front of them.
The attackers score two points for a try at the other end of the box. The defenders score one point for pushing an attacker into touch and two points for turning over the ball.
The attackers have three attacks (this is tiring) before the teams swap roles.
You must referee the game rigorously.

Key rugby coaching tips:

What to call out

"Head rigid and eyes open."
"Keep the arms wide and then wrap and grab."
"Use the ball carrier's momentum to bring him to the ground and then compete for the ball."
"Stay on your feet as long as possible."

What to look for

The defender trying to drive the ball carrier backwards. This is very difficult, so the tackler should unbalance the ball carrier by shifting him from side to side and then bring him to the ground.
Trying this tackle in open field play. This is a close-quarters manoeuvre, to be used off the side of rucks and mauls.

What to think about

Do you want your team to push the ball carrier out or back in towards the ruck? In which case, how close do you want the players to line up beside a ruck?
How can you use this technique to prevent your opponent using "squeezeball"?