Under 11/13 – The Maul

The maul is an interesting aspect of the game. It is generally only used at lineout time where the players are already in close proximity and it is an effective way to score tries when close to the line or control the ball and the opposition before mounting an attack when further out.
The challenge for the coach is to find situations in general play when keeping the ball up off the ground and driving forward is an advantage to your team. The next challenge is to teach the players the technical aspects of the maul to run alongside the tactical appreciation.
A maul is when the ball carrier and one other from each team is in physical contact around the ball and it is up off the ground.

Key Aspects
The ball carrier recognising the opportunity to stay on their feet and present the ball for a drive.
Ball carrier staying strong on contact – get in to balance; small steps; crouch; ball in two hands; lead in with same shoulder and foot from a low position; explode upwards; turn and face your own team; feet parallel to the side-line; poke bottom out; lean towards your team; work the shoulders, arms and elbows vigorously; present ball down low as team mate arrives; open up the chest for the arriving player to drive on to as they secure the ball. (There are several ways to present the ball on contact. This is a simple and clear method)
The first arriving player arrives in the same low, driving position. They drive on to the chest and wraps their arms around their team mate. They continue to drive forward before taking the ball under one arm and staying bound with the other. They must be facing straight down the field. (Spine in Line)
The second and third arriving players will approach in the same manner. They will bind over the top of the first arriving player and either drive forward while bound to that player or keep moving forward and bind across the midriff of the original ball carrier. This requires the initial arriving player to be as low as possible. They will also be ‘spine-in-line’.
The original ball carrier who has their back to the opposition will bind on to the first support player once they have secured the ball and pull the maul forward. They must stay in place.
The next arriving players will drive and bind in the gaps (the 1st, 2nd & 3rd arriving players should be presented like a front row with the next two arriving as locks)
If another player arrives they will pack in the equivalent of the No 8 position and the ball will be shifted back to them, keeping it off the ground.
Players should stay bound and stay in the maul. Keep driving forward or sideways if that is the direction it takes.

Coaching Steps
1 v 1 – The attacker will hit in to the defender and set up the maul. The defender will try to tackle that player head on by driving them backwards.
Play around with this so that the attacker understands what their role is and the technical aspects required.
2 v 1 – Add the first arriving player to the maul who will perform their role and get the mini-maul moving forward.
4 v 2/3 – In a grid 3 metres wide and 8 metres long. The defence are scattered so they don’t all arrive at the same time. The ball carrier goes forward a metre to the first defender. At that stage the support players come in on the attack and the defence. The defenders are trying to drive the maul backwards whilst the attack are aiming to drive the maul forward to score a try over the 8m line.

ACTIVITIES
1- Driving through the middle
Set up the maul with 4 v 3 (6 v 4). Drive forward a few metres. As momentum is gained the original player pulls the first support player through the middle of the maul by turning side on and using their arms. As the player goes forward the two support players on the side bind on to them and help with the drive.
Players should stay on their feet by lifting their heads and shoulders upwards and taking small steps ensuring that their feet do not come together at any stage. They need to keep their eyes open and think about where they are going.

2- Mini Maul
This occurs with as few as 2 attackers. Start with 2 v 1.
When momentum is gathered the arriving player who has been driving forward can be pulled forward by the other player and accelerate away.
Or the two players could stay bound up and circle away together. This requires big steps using the outside leg first so that the feet do not come together.
One player can then release and sprint off with the ball.

3- Game
10 x 10 metre grid. Two teams of 5/8.
One team is called out and they can use their whole group. The defenders must use two players less.
The ball is rolled to the attacking team on their line and they must set up a driving maul.
If they make it over the 5 metre mark they get one point. If the get to the very end they get 3 points.
The ball must not go on the ground at any time.
The defence cannot tackle around the legs (unless the players become good at the maul) and should try to drive them backwards. They must stay onside but can drive through the middle of the maul to secure the ball.
This requires good refereeing.
Each team has the same number of opportunities.

TEAM USAGE
1- Driving in the lineout. A) to score. B) to control the ball and keep their forwards in the lineout.
2- Picking up loose ball and set a maul to get the defenders in around the ball. If they don’t come in keep driving. This is a good way of controlling ball on defence.
3- In open field play when there are only a few defenders. The player sets up the mini maul which is driven forward hard before another support player receives a pass or the driving player races off on attack.
4- Develop plays from the maul – the runner in close could set a maul. From there, there could be an attack planned on the short side once the defenders have been pulled in.
There are many scenarios which your team could employ once they have created a good driving maul.
5- Tap Kick – close to the line set up a driving maul. The same can apply when close to the line in general play – set up a drive and keep the ball off the ground until the try is scored.
Remember, backs as well as forwards need to learn these skills.