They don't know when to ruck or keep away
Some pile in every time, others never go, and nobody holds a line
Why it happens
- Nobody has told them who goes to the ruck and who doesn't.
- Rucking looks like effort, so they all go.
- Quieter players never go because they're not sure.
What to say
✓ Say this
- “Closest one or two go. Everyone else, hold the line.”
- “Look first, then decide.”
- “Great decision to stay out!”
✗ Not this
- “Everyone in!”
- “Get in there!” to the whole team.
- Telling off players who stayed out.
The drill ladder
Move a group up a level only when they hit the "ready for next level" sign. It's fine for groups to be on different levels.
Bubble touch
How it works
- Touch rugby, with one extra rule. Only the ball carrier and one support player from each team can be inside the bubble, roughly 3 big steps around the ball.
- A third attacker in the bubble is a turnover. A third defender in the bubble gives the attack a free pass.
- The coach shouts “bubble!” when it's crowded, so players learn to check.
Coaching points
- Ask the players outside the bubble where they should be. Let them work it out.
- Praise players who move away from the ball to make space.
- Keep the area small enough that width still matters.
Ready for the next level when: The bubble stays clear without the coach having to call it.
Ruck or stay out
How it works
- Touch rugby where the touched player goes to ground and places the ball, as in Ruck touch.
- Before each play the coach calls a number. Only that many players from each team may go to the ruck.
- Everyone else has to hold a line. Extra players at the ruck give a free pass to the other team.
Coaching points
- Look first: am I one of the closest?
- If you're not needed, get in the line.
- Praise the players who stay out and hold their place.
Ready for the next level when: Players choose to ruck or stay out sensibly without the coach calling it.
2v1 ruck at walking pace
How it works
- Ball carrier walks into a kneeling tackler, who tackles at the hips and rolls them gently, as in Kneeling hip hug.
- Carrier lands, turns and places long. One support player steps over from behind. One defender walks in from their side to try to pick up the ball, staying on their feet.
- If the support player gets there first and stays strong, the attack keeps the ball. Rotate all four roles.
Coaching points
- Support player: you're racing the defender. Go as soon as you see the tackle.
- Both the support player and the defender must stay on their feet. Hands on the ball only when you're standing.
- Tackler: release and roll away so the ball is clear.
Ready for the next level when: Support arrives first and on their feet most of the time, and the ball is placed long every time.
Ruck touch
How it works
- Touch rugby. When touched, the ball carrier goes to ground, turns and places the ball back long.
- One attacker must step over the ball before it can be played. One defender may come through from behind the ball, on their feet, to try to pick it up.
- Everyone else stays out. No diving, no hands on the floor. Play on from the placed ball.
Coaching points
- Only a small number of players ruck (check the rules page for your age group). Everyone else holds a line.
- Praise the first player to step over, not the pile.
- Ask “did you need to go in?” after a crowded ruck.
Ready for the next level when: Rucks are two or three players, on their feet, and the ball comes out quickly nearly every time.
Common coaching mistakes
- Only praising players who ruck.
- Never practising the decision, only the technique.
- Letting the same players go to every ruck.
Related problems
RuckContact
Our rucks are a mess
Pile-ups, players off their feet, the ball stuck under bodies
SpacingAttackGame senseThey all bunch around the ball
A swarm follows the ball, nobody holds width, the pitch is empty everywhere else
BreakdownBall carrierWe keep losing the ball in contact
Ball carriers get tackled and the ball goes to the other team