Rugby: Striking the ball

Players down on 'all 4s'. Position heads to the left slightly, binding in underneath the shoulders in the chest area. Keeping hands on the floor, rock backwards and forwards.

Once players' individual position is correct on the machine, progress to 1 on 1 scrummage on the feet. Facing each other in a squat position, touch (with hands on each others shoulders), heads to the left, and engage.

Front Rows coming together. Each prop touches the opponents upper arm and then pause before the front rows meet. The sequence should be: "Crouch, bind, set". Coaches should replicate this call when practising to help players develop their timing and to assist the Referee

The aim of the drill is to develop strong positive profiling and to develop core-stability against opposition. 1v1. Player smust sink from hips and push against eachother in a scrum position. 

Setting the front row is the building blocks for a scrum. The 3 players (Prop, Hooker, Prop) should stand in a line facing the opposition.  Two props tuck in close to the hooker either-side, wrapping their inside are around the hookers shorts or T-shirt maintaining a strong and tight grip. (Reach as far around the hooker as possible so the shorts or t-shirt are tight.  This should pull the hooker in tight to both props hips.  The hooker then lowers arms from above his head and wraps them around the 2 props, pulling tight onto their tshirts. Hooker needs flexibility to move hi slower body to hook the ball. Once set, the players sink from their hips as a unit - usually with a call routine.  Then they wait for the refs calls to crouch, touch, engage.  Where they use explosive leg drive while maintaining ga flat back and strong core to push the other props off the ball.  Body height is key. 

Building a 3 person front row. Hooker forms 1st, standing with shoulders lowered and knees bent to about 3/4 height. Arms up in the air in a 'flying' position. Props then bind underneath the hookers arms, with their inside arms around the back of the hooker.

Let the front row bind together first. Second row binds together between their hips and shoulders, making sure that their hips are tight together. Second row arms go around the outside of the props, binding onto their hips nice and tight. Second row then comes off their knees to engage.

Ensure that players:- Bind correctly. Keep the scrum square. Keep correct body position. Hooker to strike for the ball - signal the scrum half Hook ball back with right foot between left hand props legs. Both sides remain static and do not contest the ball.

The basic scrummage shape, with the player on their knees. Poor position: arched back and chin on chest. Good position: back 'hollowed' with chin off chest.

Using a ball to check if body shape is correct.

Front row Setting the front row is the building blocks for a scrum. The 3 players (Prop, Hooker, Prop) should stand in a line facing the opposition.  Two props tuck in close to the hooker either-side, wrapping their inside are around the hookers shorts or T-shirt maintaining a strong and tight grip. (Reach as far around the hooker as possible so the shorts or t-shirt are tight.  This should pull the hooker in tight to both props hips.  The hooker then lowers arms from above his head and wraps them around the 2 props, pulling tight onto their tshirts. Hooker needs flexibility to move hi slower body to hook the ball. Once set, the players sink from their hips as a unit - usually with a call routine.  Then they wait for the refs calls to crouch, touch, engage.  Where they use explosive leg drive while maintaining ga flat back and strong core to push the other props off the  Second Row  While standing bind together - holding on to eachothers waisteline or shirt. With thier outside arm, place it through the legs of the prop infornt of them, holdin gon to shorts. - keeps props tight Chins off chest, stright back, hips below chets.  Flankers + number 8 enganemnt and hit is most important here. 8 must be bound before engangemnt for saftery and to add weight ot the pack.  Larger flanker on tight head side - stay down and push on the engamnet - gives support ot the tighthead prop.  Loose head - does less pushing 

Some older players giving a technically correct demonstration.

Tell your players the following...... Each group of two players should have their own ball. While they have a partner, they can pass to anyone. They just need to move the ball, pass and catch. They also need to move around the training area. They can pass in any direction. Go - lets just get moving. After a little time, tell the players that their pass must be legal.

1v1 scrumage  both players get into a scrum postion. However do not lock hea dand shoulders, ut arms out infront of you and with your hands push against the other player shsoulders.

Groups of 3.  - 1 player is active, 2 players are resisiting.  - Active player gets into scrumage position between 2 defending players. - Tries to push both players back, like a scrum. 

Groups of 3.  - 2 players get into the T.O.P positon next to eachother.  - Another player on all 4 knees on thier back.. - the players holding the player above them must work together to move from side to side.  - 5m each way.

The aim of the drill is to develop front row scrum set up and engagement with good positive profiling.

The aim of the drill is to develop strong positive profiling and to develop core-stability against opposition. 1v1

The aim of the drill is to develop strong positive profiling with resistance from coach to check for stability and strength.

The aim of the drill is to develop strong positive profiling and to develop core-stability.