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Breakdown articles
Win the Breakdown - win the game - Warren Gatland
Develop breakdown skills and tactics to help your players win the breakdown contest from some of the world's best coaches and players including Dave Rennie, Richie McCaw, Sam Warburton, George Smith, Warren Gatland, Sir Graham Henry and Eddie Jones, Ben Herring and many others.
Plus we have categorised them by playing level to make it easier for you to find:
- Y – youth
- HS – high school
- A – adult
- All – suitable for all levels
Winning the fight on the groundJosh Syms’ excellent new series, focusing on techniques adopted by both sides at the breakdown, illustrates the amount of coaching time now devoted to body positions in contact. Analyst Nick Bishop looks at how the Lions used it to great effect in the 2017 All Blacks series.
How did the trial laws at the breakdown work out in end-of-year tour internationals?World Rugby’s trial laws for 2017 included some potentially game-changing alterations at the breakdown. The end-of-year tour internationals in November provided the first crucible in which to test the new laws at elite level. Analyst Nick Bishop examines their effect and how teams adjusted.
Rolling, rolling, rolling… why a double movement can cure the problem of isolationIn theory, the laws of World Rugby require everyone involved in the tackle on offence or defence to move away from the ball immediately. In practice there are two chances of this happening – ‘slim’ and ‘none’! Analyst Nick Bishop explains why.
Ruck or no ruck - that is the questionThe recent Six Nations match between England and Italy raised a huge question about the refereeing of contact situations, and in particular the difficulty in establishing the difference between a ruck and a tackle. Leading analyst Nick Bishop discusses whether it’s a one off or teams will build their game around it.
How to make yourself an effective ‘jackal’It is hard to do without a number of specialists in defensive contact in the modern game. With the number of breakdowns on the increase and set-pieces on the slide, they have become essential personnel.
Nick Bishop looks at the stats and looks at who and what is required at the breakdown in today’s game.
The real Irish breakdownThere is no area of the game more influential in the outcome than the battle at the breakdown. In his latest article Murray Kinsella has done the hard yards. Studying and noting every single action by the Irish players at the breakdown and ruck against Italy, both in attack and defence. A stunning piece that provides the point of difference knowledge and understanding for coaches and players globally that we take pride in delivering to you, our valued members.
Enjoy and join the discussion.
A Rucking Revolution?FIJI SEVENS HEAD coach Ben Ryan published a number of intriguing tweets yesterday evening highlighting a technique which he believes has the game “in crisis”.
The former England Sevens boss has an issue with the rucking technique that, depending on where one is from, is referred to as a crocodile roll, tin opener, can opener, body roll, croc roll, alligator roll, gator roll, saddle roll or log roll.
Analysis: Ireland's work at the breakdown vs the SpringboksJoe Schmidt’s coaching philosophy is strongly founded on winning the breakdown and ruck, so we’ve analysed his Ireland team’s winning performance against South Africa last weekend.
Our in-depth examination of every breakdown and ruck shows who is doing the hard work in this highly technical area.
A closer look at the rucking rulesThe ruck is an interesting aspect of the game, and highlights the demands on referees at the top level.
With the speed of the modern game, and the fact that professional and amateur players will push the laws to breaking point to get an advantage, it’s certainly not an easy job.
Wayne Smith Preview: Receiving the high ballThe first in this new series of rugby coaching videos from Wayne Smith is about high ball work, and specifically about receiving the high ball.
Check out the trailer here:
