Saxons Ruck Over

Sunday was a good training session where you added two new skills to your game, scrummaging and rucking. Under 10 and Under 11 New rules of play both include a three man un-contested scrum made up from the first three players available. The idea is that all players experience the scrum as they develop and specialise in later years. The technique and body position required for the scrum , the Tower of Power,is the same position that you use for tackling, driving through contact, rucking and mauling, lifting in the line out, any where you need a strong and stable base to deliver power.

Our tackle has moved on to a competetive tackle, where one additional player from each side can join and either compete for or protect the ball. The referee will not call tackle anymore, but once an additional player has joined he will call "use it" which then allows 5 seconds to offload the ball and make it available. If the ball does not come out, it will be a turnover so protect it and use it!

When the tackle has gone to ground the player with the ball can either pop it up, or lay it back.

The first Attacking player to arrive has a key decision to make. He can either –

Clear out
Pick and pass
Pick and run
If ball ripped from player on the ground, it must be passed

After clearing out, ball must be scrum half passed.

The temptation wil always be to pick and run, but if there is any chance a defender will arrive at the ball at the same time as you, you must clear out to secure the ball. Fighting for the ball will result in a 50% chance of winning the ball. Driving over, clearing the defender away will result in a 100% chance of winning the ball, trust your team mates to be there to scrum-half pass the clean ball and keep the attack going.

Well done and looking forward to seeing you at training.

Tom