- UNIT SKILLS
- Continuity - Maul
DEFINITION:
Ball held up above ground. Ball-carrier and one other from each team in physical contact around ball (minimum number three).
OBJECTIVE:
To engage and group the opposition. To move forward. To present ball to continue attack.
KEY FACTORS:
Second and Third Support Players:
- Identify role, sight target area.
- Approach ball-carrier and first support player with depth, parallel to touchline.
- Assume low effective driving position.
- Bind and drive either side of ball-carrier, forming a wedge forward of the ball.
- Maintain strong forward leg drive throughout, using short steps.
Additional Support Players:
- Identify role, sight target area.
- Approach maul from depth, parallel to touchline.
- Assume low effective driving position.
- If possible, bind with teammate and drive into 'mini maul'.
- Ensure balanced numbers approaching either side of maul.
- Bind and drive on to maul at the hindmost foot.
- Maintain strong forward leg drive throughout using short steps.
- Transfer ball to back of maul communicating its position throughout.
- Deliver to halfback or initiate further play.
COMMON ERRORS:
- Breakdown through ineffective work of ball-carrier and/or first support player
- Players arriving too late.
- Arriving players searching for the ball first rather than binding and driving.
- Second and third support players not remaining bound at front of maul.
- Failing to continue with leg drive after initial contact.
- Poor communication in maul resulting in teammates working against each other rather than together.
- Players falling over in maul due to poor body position and balance.
- Failure to maintain straight line drive due to greater numbers of support players joining one side of the maul.
- Not presenting ball when maul becomes stationary or told to.