LTPDst3cover.qxd (Page 1) - Scottish Rugby Union

The Ruck - contest for possessionGenerally most teams will attempt to sustain continuity however when a player has not beenable to pass the ball to a player in a better position or to offload out of contact then the ballcarrier could take the ball to the ground and attempt to present the ball back to theirsupport. In this case the term ‘breakdown’ is used to describe the post-tackle competition forpossession.At the breakdown the defending team can force a turnover from the opposition by either‘ripping’ the ball away or by forcing the opposition to commit a penalty offence in theirattempts to retain possession. The breakdown is one of the key contests for possession in thegame and is a crucial topic for coaches of youth rugby. This resource builds on the offloadand ball presentation principles set out in Scottish Rugby Key National Themes resource.Contest for possession - The ‘hunter’A ruck is formed only when a player from both teams isin contact over the ball. Prior to a ruck being formed a defending player (hunter)can attempt to rip the ball away as long as they are ontheir feet. The hunter is responsible for hunting/stealing/disrupting the ball (wide base, nose on the ball).The hunter could be the tackler or the assist dependingon how the contact unfolds. The aim should be to have a hunter at every contact.Key factors of hunterSpeed over the ball, the hunter must target the ball and be in a strong position beforethe first support player arrives. If a player intends to go from a position on the ground into the hunter they shouldattempt to release the player and regain their feet in one dynamic movement goingstraight into the strong ‘hunter’ positionEstablish strong base, low body height and tuck the chin against chest in order tominimise target for clearing players. Hunter should attempt to gain strong grip of the ball by scooping underneath the ballwith hands/forearms.Removing the hunterOnce a defending player achieves a hunter position it is essential that they are removed fromthis position before they can either steal the ball or force a penalty.Key factors of clearing hunter. The arriving clearing player must lower their height priorto contact. Attempt to lower height on approach inorder to drive up into contact. Clearing player must attempt to get their own shouldersunder the hunter’s shoulder in order to lift and clearhunter player away. Continue to leg drive up andthrough hunter in order to remove threat. If the clearing player is unable to get their shouldersunderneath hunter the clearing player might twist androll hunter away from the ball onto the ground. In order to roll a hunter away successfully the clearingplayer should attempt to secure a firm hold around thehunter’s shoulders then use their own core strength togenerate momentum rolling onto the ground to theside of the breakdown.94