| The ruck is probably the least understood area of the game. Break any of the 19 laws relating to it and you will give away a penalty or a free kick. A referee friend of mine recently challenged me to list all 19 offences that a player can commit at a ruck. I got 16 of them. I was quite pleased with myself, until he pointed out that if I didn’t know them all how could I expect my players to know them? He was quite right and I have now made sure I know them all. More than that I had my players learn them as well. The result is that my players can instantly recognise when a ruck has formed and know what they can and can’t do. This has dramatically reduced the number of penalties they give away at the breakdown. Junior players don’t need to be able to recite all 19 possible offences, but they should have an understanding of what a ruck is and a good idea about what they are allowed (and not allowed) to do. They can only achieve this if they are constantly reminded at training and if you point out when they have committed a penalty offence. So the big question… can you name all 19 ruck offences? Don’t worry if you can’t. Click here to down a ready reference guide to the 19 laws governing the ruck. Please feel free to circulate the document to your colleagues and players (and to parents and supporters) if you wish.
Toby Curthoys
Publisher, Better Rugby Coaching www.betterrugbycoaching.com
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