Breakdown

• Attack ruck
  • defend the ball - stop the opposition from stealing the ball or counter-rucking
  • Low body position, wide stance
  • bind onto other players to increase weight and resistance
  • ensure we keep possession
    • load as many players into the ruck as is required to keep the ball
  • speed - if too slow the other team has time to form a defensive line
• Defend ruck
  • Number of players entering the ruck is dedicated by the situation
    • Limit numbers and fan out in defence if there is a low chance of winning the ball
    • flood ruck if there is a high chance of winning the ball back (this is called counter-rucking)
      • White has the ball and Green counter ruck
  • ensure we have posts\pillirs on the side of the ruck to watch for pick and goes

Mauls are only allowed in u16 and U18 and have limitations - please see Age grade laws

• Ruck vs a Maul
• Maul Try example 

• A jackal is when a defensive player steals the ball in a ruck
• How the pros do it
• Take care in jackaling as the opposition players can exert a lot of pressure on the shoulders, back and neck.
  • If you are not trained to jackal, rather get out into the defensive line and wait for a tackle.

1. The support player moves forward in a low body position.
2. He hits the ball carrier with the shoulder.
3. He rips the ball out by pulling the ball down and round using the upper arm and shoulder.
   1. Shorter players should come from underneath
   2. Tallers player from above

Drill: Ripping the ball 

Ball rip