Our rucks are a mess
Pile-ups, players off their feet, the ball stuck under bodies
Why it happens
- Rucking is still new to most of them. Nobody has shown them what to do after a tackle.
- They dive in because diving looks like effort. Nobody has told them to stay on their feet.
- The ball carrier doesn't present the ball, so arriving players have nothing to ruck over.
- Everyone piles in at once because they don't know who should go and who should stay out.
What to say
✓ Say this
- “Stay on your feet.”
- “Ball carrier: land, turn, long place.”
- “First one there: step over, low and strong.”
- “Great ruck. The ball was there straight away.”
✗ Not this
- “Pile in!”
- “Get in there, all of you!”
- “Smash the ruck.”
- Blaming the player on the floor.
The drill ladder
Move a group up a level only when they hit the "ready for next level" sign. It's fine for groups to be on different levels.
Land, turn, long place
How it works
- Players jog around with a ball. On the whistle they go to ground on their side, as in Fall and roll.
- On the floor, they turn towards their own team and place the ball back at full arm's length.
- Pop up and go again. Add a buddy who shouts “place!” and picks the ball up.
Coaching points
- Land on the side, chin tucked, ball in two hands.
- Long place: arms stretched back towards your team, so the ball is away from the tackler.
- Get up straight away. The ball doesn't belong to the player on the floor.
Ready for the next level when: Every player lands safely and places the ball back long without being told.
Step over, kneeling defender
How it works
- One player lies on their side with the ball placed back long. A defender kneels on the far side of the ball.
- The support player arrives from behind the ball, steps over their teammate and gets low and strong: wide feet, bent knees, head up.
- The kneeling defender pushes gently. The support player holds the position for 3 seconds. Rotate roles.
Coaching points
- Arrive from behind the ball, not from the side.
- Low and strong: shoulders above hips, head up, eyes on the defender.
- Stay on your feet. If you fall over the ball, reset and go again.
Ready for the next level when: Support players arrive from behind and hold a strong position over the ball 5 times out of 5.
Shield over the ball
How it works
- A player stands over a placed ball holding a shield, feet wide, braced.
- The arriving player walks in from behind the ball, sinks, and drives the shield holder back two steps with their shoulder.
- Head up, back flat, keep driving with the legs. Swap roles after 3 goes. Walk first, then march.
Coaching points
- Players hold the shields, never an adult. Pair by size.
- Shoulder into the shield, head up and to the side. Never lead with the head.
- Stay on your feet all the way through. No diving at the shield.
Ready for the next level when: Players drive from low to high, on their feet, without putting their head down.
2v1 ruck at walking pace
How it works
- Ball carrier walks into a kneeling tackler, who tackles at the hips and rolls them gently, as in Kneeling hip hug.
- Carrier lands, turns and places long. One support player steps over from behind. One defender walks in from their side to try to pick up the ball, staying on their feet.
- If the support player gets there first and stays strong, the attack keeps the ball. Rotate all four roles.
Coaching points
- Support player: you're racing the defender. Go as soon as you see the tackle.
- Both the support player and the defender must stay on their feet. Hands on the ball only when you're standing.
- Tackler: release and roll away so the ball is clear.
Ready for the next level when: Support arrives first and on their feet most of the time, and the ball is placed long every time.
Ruck touch
How it works
- Touch rugby. When touched, the ball carrier goes to ground, turns and places the ball back long.
- One attacker must step over the ball before it can be played. One defender may come through from behind the ball, on their feet, to try to pick it up.
- Everyone else stays out. No diving, no hands on the floor. Play on from the placed ball.
Coaching points
- Only a small number of players ruck (check the rules page for your age group). Everyone else holds a line.
- Praise the first player to step over, not the pile.
- Ask “did you need to go in?” after a crowded ruck.
Ready for the next level when: Rucks are two or three players, on their feet, and the ball comes out quickly nearly every time.
Rucks and the rules
- Ruck numbers are limited in age-grade rugby and change with age. Check the rules page for your age group and the official text. (The U11 summary lists a maximum of 3 per side, but it is not yet verified.)
- Coach everyone to stay on their feet and arrive from behind the ball. It's safer, and it keeps the ball visible.
- Most of the squad shouldn't be anywhere near the ruck. Teach them to hold a line instead.
Common coaching mistakes
- Shouting “pile in”. More bodies means a slower ruck and more knocks.
- Skipping the placing skill. If the ball isn't presented, nothing else works.
- Letting players dive in because it looks keen. Stop it every time.
- Running live rucks before players can hold a strong position over the ball.
Related problems
TackleSafety
They tackle too high
Arms round the shoulders, grabbing shirts, heads in the wrong place
TackleConfidenceMy players are scared of contact
Hesitating, pulling out of tackles, turning their back
Decision-makingAttackMy players freeze with the ball
Indecisive, slow to pass, run into trouble or stand still