OBJECTIVE:

To develop all areas of ruck/maul situation.

EQUIPMENT:

4–5 shields and two balls.

GROUP SIZE:

10–12 players.

AREA:

Large.

DRILL EXPLANATION:

1. In groups of three, a player in Group A hits and spins off Shield 1 (S1), feeding a short pass to the second player in his group who feeds the third player.
2. The third player hits and spins off Shield 2 and the sequence is reversed, i.e. 3-2-1.
3. Once the first group has gone past shield 1, Group B starts.
4. Once both groups are past S1, S1 runs to back of the grid to provide the next target, as do all the shields once both groups have passed.

COACHING POINTS:

• Identify role, sight target area.
• Approach ruck/maul from depth, parallel to touchline.
• Bind with teammates onto opposition.
• Drive forward past the ball or bind and drive either side of ball carrier, forming a wedge forward of the ball..
• Use feet to ruck ball clear of congestion or transfer ball to back of maul communicating its position throughout.
• Stay on feet at all times.

VARIATIONS/ PROGRESSION:

1. Off the ground:
   • Hit / Rip / Pop - Ball players hits and recoils, next player rips and pops a pass to supporting player who hits shield 2.
   • Mini Maul - using the option of more attackers, a mini maul is set on each shield with one player peeling off to set a maul on shield 2.
   • Rolling Maul - similar to above but controlled rolling from one shield to the next.
2. On the ground:
   • Place / Takeout / Pickup
   • Player with ball runs towards the first shield, places the ball in front of it and then drives the shield off to the side.
   • Next player picks up the ball and moves to the next shield.
   • The idea is to get the ball off the ground as quickly as possible and to attack the space made by the previous player.