In rugby, a 'ruck' occurs when players from both teams gather around the ball after a player loses control and falls to the ground. The players of the two contending teams try to push themselves away from the ball to gain possession for their team. Since rucks often involve one of the crudest and most intense competition in the entire game, there are a number of rules that dictate how players can participate and initiate a ruck.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Starting a Ruck
Step 1. Wait for a player with the ball to fall
In rugby, players cannot start a ruck at any time. Indeed, rucks can only start under certain conditions. To start a ruck the player with the ball must be brought down (usually, this is the result of a tackle). In rugby, when a player is downed, he must immediately release the ball. Therefore, after a tackle, the ball will often be found momentarily on the ground until another player catches it. A ruck may begin at this time.
However, note that the one who carries the ball and is tackled can let go of the ball by passing it to a teammate. If this happens, there cannot be a ruck, but another event called a "maul" (see below)
Step 2. If you can, pick up the ball and run
If, after the tackle, you are the first person to be able to catch the ball on the ground, do not start the ruck. Just pick up the ball and run. Usually you will have to run forward in the field to get the ball forward in your team, but you can run in any direction, so don't be afraid to run to the side or even momentarily back if that favors your team. Rucks push your team to compete with each other for the ball, so there are few occasions when this situation is preferred over picking up the ball for your team.
Step 3. If the other team meets you near the ball, you start the ruck
If you reach the ball at the same time that a player from the opposing team reaches it and the ball is on the ground between you, you can group with the other team in a ruck to win possession of the ball. Basically you and your teammates present when the ruck begins will join your arms and start pushing towards the players of the opposing team, making movements and decisive steps with your legs (called “rucking”). When players reach the ruck from other points on the court, they can only join the ruck from behind, never from the sides.
The purpose of the ruck is to get the opposing team away from the ball so that your team can pick it up. You can use your feet to pass the ball back outside the ruck, but not your hands
Step 4. Don't confuse the ruck with the maul
A type of event in the game of rugby that is similar (but not identical) to a ruck is called a 'maul'. In a maul, whoever has the ball has possession and tries to stay standing when an opposing player tries to tackle him. A player on the same team as the bearer joins him to help him advance towards the goal line, while the player attempting to tackle tries to hold the other or bring him back. Players from the opposing team can join the maul when they arrive, but a maul cannot start without at least the player carrying the ball, a player from the opposing team and a player from the same team in possession of the ball.
To clarify, unlike the ruck, the ball never touches the ground before a maul, nor does the opposing team's players cluster around it. However, the ball can fall to the ground after a very difficult maul
Part 2 of 3: Joining a Ruck
Step 1. If you are in front of the ruck, start pushing forward
If you are there when the ruck starts, you can start pushing towards the opposing team immediately. Your goal should be to push the opposing team's players away from the ball or, if that's not possible, at least block them until your teammates come to help you. If you don't get help or can't stop the opposing team even with the help of your teammates, try to slow their advance so that your team has a few more seconds to organize a good defense.
Even if your team loses possession after a ruck, it might be helpful to try to delay. This is especially true if the ruck gives your team a chance to organize a defense that succeeds in a tackle right after the ruck
Step 2. If you join a ruck after it has started, enter “through the gate”
If you are not there when the ruck begins, but arrive after it has already begun, you must join the ruck from behind - specifically, behind your partner's last foot that is in the back of the ruck. This is called entering the ruck "through the gate". As you enter, join your arms with those of nearby companions as you push forward.
Never enter the ruck from a position that is forward of the rearmost teammate's foot. In other words, don't enter the ruck diagonally, from the sides or side of the opposing team. These positions are offside and will result in a free kick against your team
Step 3. If you do not participate in the ruck, stay behind the offside lines
You don't have to join your teammates in the ruck, in fact, you don't have to if you are preparing a defensive game. If you don't enter a ruck, be sure to stay behind the offside line - the line formed by the rear foot of the rearmost player on your team in the ruck. In other words, it stays behind the ruck itself.
This also applies if, for whatever reason, you exit or get pushed out of the ruck while participating. In this case, move immediately behind the ruck. Lingering on the sides would result in a penalty
Step 4. Stay low while pushing
Players in a ruck assume a low, crouched stance for stability, avoid injury, and greater pushing force. The players in front of the ruck push against each other against the shoulders, using their arms and hands for stability. They can touch the opposing team's players to remain standing, but they must not use their hands to push or move them to the ground. Behind the front row, players taking part in the ruck should assume a similar stance, join their arms with those of their teammates next to them, and help the team push forward.
For more power in pushing, push with your legs. Keep your legs moving even if they push you back. This movement (or “rucking”) transfers the force upward, through the body and into the ruck. This is a very effective and efficient way to push and is similar to the strategies used by other types of athletes who have to generate a pushing force (such as in sumo or linesmen in American football)
Step 5. Pull the ball back with your feet only
As you push the opposing team, you will come to a point where the ball is completely surrounded by your teammates in the ruck. When you have a chance, you can use your feet to pass or kick the ball back to the back of the ruck. You cannot use your hands to pass the ball back - this would result in a penalty.
When the ball reaches the ruck, it is usually caught by a teammate at the bottom of the ruck who then runs forward into the field. While technically no one can touch the ball with their hands while it is in the ruck, referees sometimes allow players at the bottom of the ruck to get between the legs of the players to catch the ball, without awarding a penalty
Step 6. Listen to the referee
Official rugby rules say that rucks should be short and decisive. If a ruck lasts more than five seconds without a clear win, the referee will stop the ruck and award a scrum to the team that seemed to be winning over the other. This could be a kind of "gray zone", especially if the two teams are evenly matched.
A scrum is basically an event where you compete for the ball, eight players from each team team up and push against each other for possession - it's similar to a ruck in some ways, different in others
Step 7. Be prepared for tackles if the opposing team takes the ball
If your team loses the ruck and the opposite team manages to move the ball back, behind their side of the ruck, break the ruck and be ready to tackle the players of the opposing team who will advance with the ball. At this point, the game rules return to normal, so be ready to return to your usual role!
Part 3 of 3: Ruck with Confidence
Step 1. Keep your head and shoulders higher than your hips
In rucks, the opposing team's players push against each other with great force. To avoid injuries during a ruck (which, although rare, can be very serious, even fatal), correct posture is essential. In the ruck, keep a low and stable stance, but make sure your head and shoulders are always above hip height. A good criterion is to imagine that you have a slogan written on your shirt - you want those in front of you to be able to read it all the time.
Also, keep your head up. This shortens the neck, making it less prone to injury. On the other hand, keeping your head down could lead to breaking your neck, especially if you accidentally "hit" someone in front of you with your head
Step 2. Try to stand firm on your feet
While this is sometimes unavoidable, try to avoid falling into the ruck whenever possible. In addition to giving your team the disadvantage of losing your thrust, this can also be dangerous for you, as you could be easily stepped on while on the ground. Finally, there may also be a penalty for your team, because if you ruck too close to someone on the ground there is a penalty.
Step 3. Stick with the other players until the ruck is over
During a ruck, you must "join" the player next to you. This means wrapping your arm completely around hers for mutual support. It is not enough to simply grab his shirt or lean against him - to avoid a penalty you have to use your arm fully open and joined.
In addition to providing support for all players, this union also helps all members of the ruck act as a single body, increasing their own drive
Step 4. Never jump on top of a ruck
Finally, you must never jump into (or onto) a ruck, even if it has fallen and all players are on the ground. It is not only disrespectful, but also dangerous for other players, who do not expect it. It is also not wise for your team, who could receive a serious penalty due to reckless behavior. Finally, this behavior is a bad idea because it has no purpose - the goal of a ruck is to push the opposing team away from the ball, so your team can get to catch it, not bury the ball so that no one gets to. pick her up.
Advice
- If you get late to the ruck and the scrum half is in, don't be afraid to take him out, pass the ball or catch it and run.
- The secret is to get lower than the others.
- Defensively, make sure there aren't too many people in the ruck and stand on either side in case
- If you can, grab the leg and lead.
- Keep your legs moving if you are in the ruck.
- If you get tackled, place the ball as far away from the opposing team as possible. This allows you to play a fast ball.
Warnings
- Stay low and protect your head.
- If you're a defender, avoid the ruck so you don't get injured.
