Rugby: Rucking Rectangle

Groups of 4 and two groups of defenders with contact pads. 1 ball per group.

1. The ball carrier drives into the contact pads and presents ball backwards. Player 2 binds on, face to face and secures ball, player 3 binds on the other side to form a front row.
2. All attackers bind together and drive defenders back 2-3 metres. Player 4 takes ball out at back and runs back around cone with players 1-3 in support.
3. Repeat going back the other way until all attackers have practised each role.

4 blue players must try and defend with shields two gates from the attacking red team.

The ball carrying player must meet the defending players and then go to ground and place the ball. Once this has been done the attacking side must form bind together and ruck the shields out of the way - to 'come through the gate'.

The final red player to come through collects the ball and runs anti-clockwise to the next gate and the next set of defenders to repeat the drill.

The two original defenders must now move to defend the other side of the grid.

Set up a square (roughly 2m x 2m) with 4 different colour cones.

1 player starts on the floor with the ball with another player lying on top of him, simulating a tackle. The third player starts outside the square, simulating an attacking support player.

The coach calls out the colour of one of the cones and the player on the floor in posession of the ball has to work to present the ball in the direction of the cone, while the defender is on top of them. Once he has presented the ball towards the cone, the defender has to get up off the player presenting the ball, show a clear release, and then go for the ball. Meanwhile the third player (supporting attacker) has to get themselves in a position so that when the defender goes for the ball they can clear them off the ball, therefore retaining posession for the attacking team.

The players reset the drill and the coach calls out another colour of a cone. Players perform 4 repetitions in each role before swapping positions.

Progressions:

Start with the supporting attacker only bumping the defender off the ball and increase the amount of contact/force the players are going in with

Player 1 runs out with ball but player 2 has stepped up to meet them halfway.

Player 1 drives into player 2 - goes two steps before then going to ground.

Player 2 steps over the player on the ground, picks up the ball and runs on to be met by player 3 who takes the next contact.

Repeat.