Sportplan rugby has played a large role in my team's love for the game!
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 ?
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!!!
My team is having trouble going past the ball when rucking. We are working on body heights and hitting past the ball but any suggested drills would be a great help.
My team of 10 yr olds are great at rucking whilst in posesion but have not grasped the idea of counter rucking. they seem to make the takle and then stand off and not counter ruck. any suggestions on drills that might encourage them to counter ruck?
Rucking - does a ruck end when defending players back off from contact? The "successful/unsuccessful end to a ruck" seems to infer that there are still players in contact. If they are not, does the offside line change?
I'm a new player trying to learn to play Scrum half. I have a general idea of how the game works having played back positions a few times. However, I'm confused about one thing (and this might be dumb but bear with me). The thing is, I'm pretty quick. I can usually make it to a ruck before the forwards have fully formed it. When this happens I don't really have a good sense of where to stand in order ot have good access to the ball but also avoid blocking other forwards coming in to ruck. Usually I've already surveyed the field (to my newbie abilities anyway) and made a decision as to what I want to do with the ball, yelled the call on my way to the ruck, etc, so that puts me in a mindset that I REALLY want to be close to the ball so I can make it happen. Should I just keep my distance instead until the ruck is fully formed? Where specifically should I be standing and how quickly should I get there? Thanks!
is a player deemed of their feet at a ruck when both hands and feet are in contact with floor (basically in a press up position)
looking for a counter rucking drill please under 13`s
Can you lift the legs when clearing out the ruck and if so what happens if you take the player off his feet to the ground?
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
Is sealing the ball at the tackle and ruck legal again?
I'm looking for a couple of drills for counter rucking and mauling to suit U11's..... any guidance?
Some of my U9s players, who are experiencing contact for their first season, are showing reticence in tackling - how do you coach or get through the fear factor/element?
What are the situation penalty been given to the attacking /opponent team in rucking?
I have just started helping our head coach with under12's team. He wants to retire and has put me forward to be head coach next season. I am a little worried on how i should aproach training with the boys, going to a full 15 a side team on a full pitch. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.
an RFU directive states that coaches should not hold pads/shields for juniors to run into during sessions, or even juniors holding pads for each other!!! I notice a lot of drills utilise pads as this was something we always used when I trained years ago! I personally think they are a good thing (especially since some of the juniors I coach are 'not small'!) BUT wondered what the general thoughts were out there in SportPlan world....
how can we improve. 1. Rucking especially at the wings.2. Ball presentation 3. Predictable attack patterns. 4. Running onto the ball5. Running angles6. Ineffective kicking game
Hi. How do you manage the intensity that some players want to bring to the tackling and rucking sessions while other players want to not be at the same intensity either because of coming back from injuries or because they don't have the same experience/confidence in their skills. Currently trying to split players into new/lacking confidence and experienced/confident, but even then it seems some players I would put into the experienced players, are not comfortable with working with high intensity players. Even though they all have played full competition level matches.
in more ways than one
The isolated ball carrier is rugby's spookiest turnover. Here is the five-step fix, plus drills that rebuild support lines fast.
Tacklers are aiming lower, so carriers who dip late put heads at risk. Teach footwork, a strong early body height and leg drive to win the collision safely.
The hooker's brake foot moved from trial into full law in July 2026. Here is how to coach it so your front row stays stable, legal and safe.
Coaches from around the world look to Sportplan for coaching confidence.