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Under 11/13 – Ruck Defence

Objective
To prevent the opposition team from scoring.
To create pressure and regain possession.

Key Factors

  1. Contest possession. Compete hard in scrum, lineout and kick off on their ball.
  2. Go forward. When the opposition have won the ball reduce their time and space by going forward in to the tackle area.
  3. Support each other and work together. Each player must understand their role within the defensive pattern.
  4. Apply pressure by going forward together and making effective tackles.
  5. Regain possession by making effective tackles with the support of a second defender who will regather the ball or clean out the opposition player attempting to recycle the ball.
  6. Counter attack when the ball is regained.

Important Concepts
At the TACKLE/RUCK
•    2 in all tackles. a) down low & take player to ground. 2nd man in on the ball.
b) first tackler in a strong driving position. 2nd tackler in and assisting with the drive. (Double tackling) (First tackler: HITMAN. Second tackler: DESTROYER)
•    3rd player is looking at the tackle area and has to decide: enter the zone and create go forward and pressure on halfback getting the ball OR is it a lost cause (LC) in which they will take up the ‘A’ defensive spot on the far side of the ruck/tackle.
•    4th player will be TUBing and go through the same decision making process. If they go in to the ruck you must win the ball by the players driving in over the ball or securing it by hand. If it is a LC they will either take up the ‘A’ on the far side or on the close side if that position is filled.
•    The 5th & 6th arrivals must be TUBing (TUB= Them-Us-Ball. This is about looking and thinking) so that they make good decisions. They in particular need to scan the opposition to see where they are heading and then scan their own team to see where they need to be to fill the appropriate channels. In many scenarios they will be the ‘B’ & ‘C’ defenders on the open side.
•    The 7th forward will need to TUB and pick their spot in the defensive line. It may be filling holes that the backs have left in midfield or out wide or it may be on the blindside. They need to work quickly.
•    The 8th forward will have a role in midfield to take the defensive line up at pace.

Diagram
 These defenders all move forward and push across in the line together. The tacklers get up and move forward in the line. Players only break the line once the ball is two passes away at least and they are going backwards. 9 is in the pocket a couple of metres back – they will cover the chip kick and fill any holes in the defensive line.

SUMMARY: Sprint to the tackle point  - carry out the 3 point check on the way (TUB) Them – Us – Ball   - make decisions (I look - I think – I see – I act)
Form a line as soon as possible. Communicate your position. – Go forward with pace – place them under pressure – stay in the line – work hard – keep TUBing

ACTIVITIES for RUCK DEFENCE
Warm Up Drills
1-  D=Defender.  2 hit shields carried by attackers.

Defender in a crouched position with one foot forward a metre away from hit shield 1.
Hit shield 2 comes from behind HS 1 on either side and is tackled by D
D gets shoulder on and drives 2 backwards with fierce leg drive.
10 hits each using both shoulders.

 

2-    Same set up with 1 & 2 walking forward slowly and D walking backwards with little steps.
When 2 advances the defender goes forward and makes the hit and drive then quickly gets back in to position.

2’s either send one through the middle or one or other to either side.
Both D’s work together with second tackler going to the far side.

 

 

Simulation at the Ruck

A1 either runs or passes. The attack can change direction using scissors, increase numbers using wraps and so on.
The defenders (A,B,C & D) go forward in a line and mark their channel.
When the ball has been passed they stay in the line and push across from the inside allowing the defenders on their outside to move out a channel if necessary.  Do not run behind the defensive line once the ball has been passed out of the channel they are defending initially.
It is crucial the ‘A’ defender is not beaten by a dummy or an inside pass from A1.
When they are ready the defence can use tackle suits and get their shoulders in to the tackle. 

2- 4 v 5 continuous  (5 v 6 / 6 v 7)

Start at ruck 1 / coach will whistle it up after 1 or 2 phases. On the whistle the players all head to ruck 2 where there is another ball. On the coaches call A1 (or the player in that position) will action the play.

Things to watch for with the defence include: running quickly to get in to position; forming a line on the way back and making sure they are not all heading for the ruck; looking back to see where the opposition are lining up and looking to see where the team mates are so that the spacing is correct; turning and facing up ready to go forward together.
Initially the coach should wait until the defence are organised and coach them through it.
Then after a couple more phases move on to ruck 3.
Progress to:
Going quicker at each ruck

Tackling
Introducing more players and getting the first defender to the far side of the ruck.
(Remember in a real game the defenders need to check on the attackers to see which side they need to run to defend)