Using the Shoulders

Currently I am involved in coaching various high school teams with boys in year 9 and 10. The most noticeable skill which is missing from their game is the ability and understanding of using their shoulders in contact, both in attack (the ruck) and defence (the tackle).

In both scenarios the player will generally stay in an upright position and reach out with his arms.

Therefore, I'm suggesting to you, as the coach, the biggest favour you can do for this teenage group is to focus a good amount of time in carrying the ball in to contact, the cleanout, how this comes together as a ruck, the approach to the tackle, the tackle itself, and how this situation is complemented by a further player or two.

There will be much technical information on this site (the Coaching Toolbox) which can be studied and used in the coaching process and you should make yourself familiar with this detail. In each situation, the ruck and the tackle, the emphasis needs to be on the power derived from hitting with the shoulder and continuing the drive. Make up a coaching slogan such as 'the shoulder is my main weapon'.

Of course there are several aspects that need to be in place before the shoulder makes contact but for the purpose of ensuring that the contact is successful for now, use the 'shoulder' aspect to emphasise what you are looking for.

Basically there is the approach (crouch – short steps – elbows in – arms ready to drive through- chin off chest – eyes up – sighting the target); the contact ( balanced – big step close in – SHOULDER ON – drive through with arms – drive with the legs – head in a safe spot ); and the completion of the tackle (release the tackled player when he is on the ground; get to your feet quickly and stand strong – bent knees and wide base for stability, low body with chest close to ball, arms wrapped under ball … / or it may be getting to your feet and driving over the ball to take up that space and a dominant position. The next arriving player should also be taught to attack the ball if the carrier is up; or drive him back and make him unstable; attack the ball or the space if the ball carrier is on the ground)

The shoulders will play a big part in all of these aspects.

Carrying the ball in to contact will have a similar sequence of requirements.(crouch – short steps – body before ball (carry in your back arm) – step to the side of the tackler – drive square with spine in line – hit with your shoulder or fend with the front arm – stay low and drive the legs – reach forward when tackled and score the try – recoil quickly from the hips moving the whole upper body – place the ball behind and keep your hands on it.

In cleaning out much of the technical detail is the same. Encourage the player to crouch before arriving at the contact and getting in to that low, driving position with his head up and eyes open so that he can choose a good spot to put his hitting shoulder.

The power will come from the legs but must be propelled up via the shoulder/s.Ideally the player will clean out over the ball area on either the tackler or the arriving player but the first man in must try to protect the ball. The second man in will target the next arriving defender or place himself over the ball to protect it. It is a good idea to practice driving beyond the ball initially so that the ruck is a dynamic event. Later players can work out when it is best to stay over the ball.

If you as the coach use the shoulder as the focus then a lot of this other detail will take place. The aim in each session is to start hitting with the shoulder.

Think up some drills that will ensure the shoulder has to be utilised. An oldie but a goodie is carrying tennis balls in each hand as the tackle is made. Maybe you could make an activity of running in to a bag with the arms by the side and having to hit with the shoulder. I'm sure you will come up with something.

Using the shoulders will give you a more dynamic and explosive team. Good luck.