Rugby: ruck and maul

ruck and maul DRILLS
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Maul Touch Warm Up - Rugby Dri...

Be brief when telling the players the laws of this game, it's important to get them moving quickly. This is not a contact game, but there will be some light contact. Break your players into two teams, giving each team their own colour of bibs if necessary. One team goes to attack, and one to defence. Nominate a Scrum Half for each team, it will be their job to move the ball from the back of the maul and out to an attacking line. There is no kicking in this game. Normal laws of rugby apply e.g. a forward pass will result in the ball being turned over to the opposition. If an attacking player is touched: they must stop and turn, a maul is then built based on how you have trained your players to Maul. Only four players should be in the maul - but every player should be able to maul - including the backs! When you start playing this game make sure that the defence is employing your defensive pattern around the maul. They will commit 4 players, but will not do anything more than provide light resistance. Once formed the maul can take four steps before moving the ball. If there is a delay in creating the maul, or the quality of the maul is poor - the ball can be turned over. Depending on your goals decide on the number of touches you wish to allow e.g. unlimited is not a bad option as mistakes will be made! If a team has been in possession for a long time, don't forget to turn the ball over to give the opposition a run. Don't hesitate to shape the game to focus on your session goals, and let us and other coaches know what worked for you.

General

ruck and maul DRILL CATEGORIES
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ruck and maul ANSWERS
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Is it legal to lift the leg in...

Is lifting the leg when driving in a ruck or maul legal?? I always thought it wasn't. Is this true of all age groups?

alan gray Coach, England

Interpretation of the maul - f...

I will be coaching under 10 next season and need some guidance on how to interpret the rules for the maul?

Ezra rushen Coach, England

U9's%3A Can the catcher run straight through the lineout ?

In under 9s the line-out is uncontested... can the player receiving the ball simply turn and run straight through the opposition's line or does he have to pass the ball / set up a maul ?

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rugby coaching qualifications

how do you obtain rugby coaching qualifications

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RFU - proposed Mini's rule changes

RFU - proposed Mini's rule changes%3A All - just a quick straw poll%3A Have any CLUBS that you are aware of officially come out in SUPPORT of these changes? If not, have they come out officially rejecting the proposed changes, or are they adopting a "wait and see" attitude? Regards Stephe

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how do you coach aggression?

Ask a question and have it answered by Coaches from around the world and IRB Educators.

Ed Burns Coach, Ireland

First time coaching U9 and U10s - anyone got any backline coaching tips?

Hi im a first time coach and is still getting the hang of how the technical details of the game works the back line is my department and whould like any help i can get to know what drills to do and anything helpfull in the backline im currently coaching for the under 9 and 10

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(U11 Rugby) - How to referee t...

I'm coaching and reffing U11 rugby and one of my players is the definitive 'big lad'. His 'strength' is his size and his power, but last weekend he didn't seem to get reffed fairly. The opposition couldn't tackle him down, one on one and when another two joined in to make a mini maul, that didn't slow him down much either. The ref then let other people join in the (one sided) struggle to tackle him down, which seemed very unfair as A) it's outside the laws of U11 rugby,, B) it makes it nigh on impossible for him to offload, C) when he is brought to ground, he has 4-5 players all over him and he got pinged for 'holding on'. He is a recent arrival to rugby and it was our first game for a couple of months, so the situation hadn't reared his head before. We are keen that he learns all of the core skills of rugby and doesn't get used as a battering ram, but after seeing a pack of hyenas trying to pull down the big fella, something just didn't seem right to me.I'd be grateful for any thoughts and opinions.

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when is the ball deemed to be ...

when is the ball deemed to be out in rugby,either at the base of a srum,or ruck

Dennis Wright Coach, England

When a scrum is awarded follow...

When a scrum is awarded following an unsuccessful end to a maul, which team throws the ball in?

Arthur Johannes Coach, South Africa

At u11 level can the scrum hal...

I think a pass has to be made from the back of a maul or ruck but I am not clear about the rules at the scrum .

Mike Hancox Coach, England

Taking the ball into contact |...

Several of my players are taking the ball a yard too far into contact and losing possession as a result.Do you have any suggestions or drills that would help to address this? Dave Knights. Hong Kong

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My fowards seem afraid to ruck...

My fowards seem afraid to ruck and stand around the ruck while in the way of the scrum half trying to get the ball out to the backs. They also don't support the ball carrier while he is being tackled. Please help me with any suggestions!!!

William Barrett Coach, United States of America

U10's rugby and picking a ball...

When a person is tackled and goes to ground is it correct that the tackler can stand up quickly and take the ball ? If so is this along as they are on their feet and behind the offside line(so they reach down to take the ball) or are they allowed to step over the tackled player to take the ball ? This is in the rare occasion where no support is available. Also once picked up do they have to pass it out or can they just go ? Sorry for all the questions.

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PLAYERS STRUGGLE TO KEEPTHEIR ...

PLAYERS STRUGGLE TO KEEPTHEIR POSITIONS ON PITCH. My young team of 11 to 13 year olds struggle to hold position on the pitch, with a stand off ending up on the wing, the winger ending up at scrum half etc! How can I help them to keep their positions?

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offside in open play | Sportpl...

is a player offfide if he is comimg back to his team from a previous ruck/maul and as he passes through the opponents backs happens to intercept a pass?

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The end of a Lineout | Sportpl...

What specific actions end a lineout?

James Van Der Westhuizen Coach, Namibia

U10s organisation in defence. ...

I have started an under 10s team up, and I would say about 8 from the 13 children I have , did not play rugby until about 6 months ago. Of these players, there seems to be a lot of potential, as we are scoring tries against teams, that very rarely concede tries.the problem I got with them, is that we are very poor at organising our selves in defense when the opposition has the ball, which does result in us conceding quite a few tries. We have some very good tacklers in the team. Can anyone offer some ideas on how I can get them to organise themselves? Thanks . Chris.

christopher jenkins Coach, Wales

Vision and Anticipation??!!! |...

Hi guys, Thanks for everyone that answered my question on Stats!!! I am in the process of drawing up a sheet and sharing it with those that want. Next Question%3A I have come up with a few drills that I think will improve my players Vision, anticipation and decision making. I am wondering if anyone will share their ideas and process to improve these aspects of players especially VISION? I know the 2v1 and 3v2 drills ext for decision making but I want to focus more on VISION and ANTICIPATION. Any ideas??? Thanks again. Shaun

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Refereeeing an U10 ruck | Spor...

As well as coaching U10 rugby, I also get to referee U10 games, under the New Rules Of Play. I feel that my refereeing of the ruck isn't as good as it could/should be. Has anyone got an easy to follow system to help them referee U10 rucks ?

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