Missiles are Dangerous

Super Rugby has not set a good example as far as players flying in to rucks, off their feet, and targeting vulnerable players.

This is a concerning area of the game and just as referees are now almost over vigilant on what a high tackle consists of, they need to outlaw the player acting as a missile, entering the ruck-maul zone, diving full length and targeting exposed parts of an opposition player.

Almost as bad are those players who hit and drive players who are near the ruck and take them out of play by some distance.

As a coach it is your responsibility to encourage hard but fair play so you should be discouraging these aspects if they are creeping in to your game.

If you read the World Rugby Laws on the ruck there are several factors that make this sort of play illegal.

• Players in a ruck must have their heads and shoulders no lower than their hips.
• An arriving player must be on their feet and join from behind the offside line.
• Players must endeavour to stay on their feet throughout the ruck.

These laws make it impossible for a player to use themselves as a missile and dive almost horizontally in to an opposition player who may be over the ball in the early stages of the ruck or standing in the ruck as it is formed.

The correct techniques for rucking can be found in the NZ Rugby handbooks or in the Coaching Toolbox.

The key aspects are the player arriving in balance and siting the target before making contact.
This requires: shorten the steps to get in to a balanced position where the player can change direction as necessary.
The player should take up a crouched position with knees bent, arms in by the side ready to drive forward, the head up and eyes open to site the best spot to put the shoulder – as moving forward with the fast feet.
Get in close as the shoulder makes contact and the binding takes place, and drive the legs starting at a low position and driving forward and upward.
Coach them to stay on their feet as they drive forward.

Rugby is a game to be played on the feet. Correct technique and safety are the coaches responsibility.