19 reasons to learn to ruck
19 reasons to learn to ruck
A comment posted at The Huddle from Paul Tyler, an SRU Level 3 Coach, and Joint Editor of Rugby Coach Weekly
The ruck is probably the least understood area of the game. But break any of the 19 laws relating to it and you will give away a penalty or a free kick.
A referee friend of mine recently challenged me to list all 19 offences that a player can commit at a ruck. I named 16 of them. I was quite pleased with myself until he pointed out that if I didn't know them all how could I expect my players to know them?
He was quite right and I have now made sure I know them all. More than that I had my players learn them as well.
The result is that my players can instantly recognise when a ruck has formed and know what they can and can't do. This has dramatically reduced the number of penalties they give away at the breakdown.
Junior players don't need to be able to recite all 19 possible offences, but they should have an understanding of what a ruck is and a good idea about what they are allowed (and not allowed) to do. They can only achieve this if they are constantly reminded at training and if you point out when they have committed a penalty offence.
So the big question: can you name all 19 ruck offences?
c/o: www.betterrugbycoaching.com
Joining a ruck
1 All players forming, joining or taking part in a ruck must have their heads and shoulders no lower than their hips. Free kick
2 A player joining a ruck must bind on to the ruck with at least one arm around the body of a team mate using the whole arm. Penalty kick
3 Placing a hand on another player in the ruck does not constitute binding. Penalty kick
4 All players forming, joining or taking part in a ruck must be on their feet. Penalty kick
Rucking
5 Players in a ruck must endeavour to stay on their feet. Penalty kick
6 A player must not intentionally fall or kneel in a ruck. This is dangerous play. Penalty kick
7 A player must not intentionally collapse a ruck. This is dangerous play. Penalty kick
8 A player must not jump on top of a ruck. Penalty kick
9 Players must have their heads and shoulders no lower than their hips [see 1 also]. Free kick
10 A player rucking for the ball must do so near the ball. They must step over players on the ground and not intentionally step on them. They must not ruck players on the ground. This is dangerous play. Penalty kick
Other ruck offences
11 Players must not return the ball into a ruck. Free kick
12 Players must not handle the ball in a ruck. Penalty kick
13 Players must not pick up the ball in a ruck with their legs. Penalty kick
14 Players on the ground in or near the ruck must try to move away from the ball. These players must not interfere with the ball in the ruck or as it comes out of the ruck. Penalty kick
15 A player must not fall on or over a ball as it is coming out of a ruck. Penalty kick
16 A player must not take any action to make the opposing team think that the ball is out of a ruck while it is still in a ruck. Free kick
Offside at the ruck
17 Players must either join a ruck, or retire behind the offside line immediately. A player loitering at the side of a ruck is offside. Penalty kick
18 All players joining or rejoining a ruck must do so from behind the foot of the hindmost team mate in the ruck. They may join alongside this hindmost player. A player joining offending team’s a ruck from the opponent’s side or in front of the hindmost team mate is offside. Penalty kick from the offside line.
19 If a player is in front of the offside line and does not join a ruck, they must retire behind the offside line at once. If a player who is behind the offside line oversteps it and then offending team’s does not join the ruck, they are offside. Penalty kick from the offside line.
