Getting ball out of ruck?

Question

Hey I'm a scrum half and I having trouble getting the ball out of rucks. During a ruck, just when i see that the ball is out, the defense seems to push my forwards back and they regain possession or we don't gain any ground because the defense is already set by the time i get it to the backs or we get called for bridging or something like that. I don't know if too many people are committing to the ruck or i'm just reacting too slowly but I need to solve this problem right away. any help?

Answer 1

I very rarely play as a forward so this is a bit of a grey are for me. What i do know is they rely a lot on you as a scrum half to tell them what's going on and direct them. If you see a threat to your possesion let them know, if it's there to be taken and the backs are set then why not just whip it out to them. If that's too much for you then you shouldn't be playing number 9. Nothing wrong with putting your foot in if you can see th ball and get it out as well.

If you're a big guy pick it up and carry it yourself on the odd occasion. But if your forwards just can't hold possesion then tell your coach to sort them out because it's not your fault it they can't do their job. Just make sure you're doing yours before you start shouting the odds.

Answer 2

Having the ball taken from you or killed during a ruck is a major insult.

Don't let the ruck form!

Pick and go drills for your forwards at training, run them up and down the paddock while barking at them from behind telling them when to keep driving, and when to present the ball for you to feed.

If no one in the forward pack is adopting a lead role, you are going to have to take charge.

Is fitness an issue with your forwards ?

At times, it is necessary for a half-back to step in and dig, but really your forwards should be at the breakdown, controlling and presenting the ball when and where you want it.

The tackle ball area is not random. Break downs occur in largely the same places and invariably involve the same people doing the same jobs through out the game.

Unless you can string a handful of phases together, with everyone knowing and doing their job, you just won't win.

Answer 3

This mostly sounds like a problem with your forwards.  Or poor rucking and conditioning in the team in general.  The defense should almost never be able to "counter-ruck" and turnover the ball.  It is also possible that you are not gaining ground because your backs are lined up too flat.

Assuming that your tackled ball-carrier placed the ball properly, you should not need more than 3-4 forwards (or backs, they need to know how to ruck too!) to secure it.  If you see the ruck being lost, react fast and immediately call some more guys to hit it hard and smash it back.

As you approach a ruck, your fly-half (#10) should be screaming your name letting you know where he/she is and where they want you to pass it.  Unless someone else sees a gap and is calling for the ball (e.g., a flanker on the weak side).  The fly-half should organize backs or call a play and once the fly-half gets it, it is their job to distribute the ball or to keep it.  The backs need to use their skills to pass the ball further down the line and/or make moves/kicks to create/exploit space.  

If you dont produce a quick ball out of the rucks, just about any half-decent defense will be set...if that happens, get some big forwards to take some crashes straight into their line to suck up some defenders and start over.  Or perhaps they can start a maul.

If your team gets a break away and is running in open field, there's a good chance you will not make it to a break down.  In that case, if your forwards/backs dont know to do this, you should be yelling at them to pick-and-go.  If you get tackled, the weak side wing or fly-half should take your place.

Numbers 9 and 10 are the main "generals" when on offense and work as a unit.  Number 9 runs the forwards and 10 runs the backs and they work with each other.  Dont be afraid to assert your authority at #9 (you all are *supposed* to be a**holes ;-) ), but you d**n well better know what you are talking about.  Trust and communication are key.