Articles
Set Piece articles
An effective set piece guarantees possession.
Watch some of the world's best set piece coaches and players including Mike Cron, Jase Ryan, Greg Feek, Richard Pryor, Victor Matfield, Bismarck de Plussis, Ross Filipo Geoff Parling and others to create effective and safe set pieces for all levels of the game including lineouts, scrums, kick offs, exits, and mauls.
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
Angling for an advantage: scrum & maul at England vs. USAIn round two of the World Cup group match between England and USA, the American tight forwards outweighed their English counterparts by an average of over 2 kilos per man. In the event, it was nonetheless the England tight five who clearly dominated the power-based set-pieces of scrum and driving maul. Analyst Nick Bishop explains how and why in this week’s article.
How to mix backs and forwards at the set-piece!Backs can help the forwards in the tasks that used to belong solely to the pack – but only if they understand what their roles are and how best to apply their power. Analyst Nick Bishop investigate how that overlapping understanding is evident at the driving maul.
How the All Blacks dismantled the Wallaby lineout in SydneyIn his latest article analyst Nick Bishop uses Victor Matfield’s excellent Lineout series to helps illuminate the problems the Wallabies experienced in the first All Black test last week.
How the Crusaders lineout defence stood up to be counted in ChristchurchLineout defence is one of the most important single aspects of defence as a whole. Analyst Nick Bishop explains how the Crusaders defused the vaunted Lions Lineout and primary attacking weapon in last weekend’s Super rugby final.
Why the Jaguares are drawing a biarticular line in Super RugbyIn round 11 of Super Rugby 2018, the Jaguares achieved their first landmark win on New Zealand soil, and they did on the back of a huge scrum effort against the Blues. Under new coach Mario Ledesma (another of the big-scrumming hooker brigade) there are distinct signs that they are retrieving their mojo in their traditional strength – scrummaging. Analyst Nick Bishop looks at why it was so effective against the Blues and other Super teams.
Winning “the race” & targeting weaknesses at lineout timeJase Ryan’s excellent series on lineout execution focuses on technique which can optimize your ability to win lineout ball quickly and easily. Analyst Nick Bishop observes how it works in a modern professional lineout at the elite end of the game, which combines accuracy at the throw & catch with smart calling to expose opposition weaknesses.
Constructing the lineout drive as an attacking setpieceAt the top level of the game, the lineout drive has become the set-piece weapon of choice for many successful teams, especially in the Northern Hemisphere.
At international level, the best driving lineout in the world has probably belonged to Ireland over the past few years. Analyst Nick Bishop shows how Ireland have become expert at taking what the opponent gives them and manipulating the maul upfield.
The All Blacks scrum and the theory of marginal gains“Aggregation of marginal gains… the 1% margin for improvement in everything you do.” Put all those little micro-wins together, and one day you will see an almighty change in the world outside them. Analyst Nick Bishop explores what Sir Dave Brailsford UK cycling approach has to do with the All Black’s scrum
Why the Lions series confounded expectationThe recent series between the New Zealand All Blacks and the British & Irish Lions was one which confounded expectation. Received wisdom suggested that the Lions needed to dominate set-piece and gain ascendancy over the Kiwi tight forwards in order to succeed. Analyst Nick Bishop looks at what actually did happen during the series.
The importance of restartsWith the current trend towards high-scoring games, leading analyst Nick Bishop looks at how own-ball kick-offs have effectively become a third attacking set-piece.
Scrums, Props and RefereesAs we look forward to the return fixtures in this weekends European Rugby Champions Cup, Murray Kinsella focusses his torch on the dark art of front row play.
Dissecting referee Wayne Barne’s interpretation last week of Munster tight head BJ Botha’s battle with Clermont loose head Thomas Domingo and profiling the challenge Nigel Owen will have this weekend to interpret and manage this most intense and influential aspect of play.
No pressure Nigel!
Maul resurgence as an attacking weaponTHE MAUL is enjoying a resurgence at the top levels of world rugby, to the point that it has become one of the key attacking weapons for teams who are increasingly focused on the maul as a means of amassing tries.
Ireland's line-out perfection (part 2)Murray Kinsella continues an analysis of Ireland’s excellence in the line out, looking at attacking options, competing on Argentina’s ball and the maul.
Ireland's line-out perfection (part 1)Murray Kinsella examines the hugely positive effect Ireland forwards coach, John Plumtree, has had on the team’s line-out.
Bismarck du Plessis: Lineout Throw - TrailerIn his latest module, Springbok hooker, Bismarck du Plessis, takes the lineout throw back to its principles from the very basics.
Recommended listening: Tackling the scrumMike Cron features in an excellent radio programme about the issues surrounding the scrum
Mike Cron: Scrum & Ruck Conditioning - drills to build neck & core strength - TrailerIn his latest module, New Zealand scrum coach, Mike Cron, looks at activities and drills to stay strong with movement in the scrummage and to build neck and core strength.
Mike Cron: Scrum Engagement Machine Based PreviewFollowing on from his scrum set-up module, Mike Cron takes you through how to use a scrum machine to successfully coach engagement technique.
Bringing a top lineout drive back down to earthMartin Johnson’s great Leicester lineout was a mighty hard thing to stop, but American Football provided a few clues
Victor Matfield: LineoutCOMING SOON…Victor Matfield shares with you the technical and tactical lineout skills he has developed over his playing and coaching career.
The Rolling Maul Part IBrendon Ratcliffe loves the rolling maul. If forwards are piano shifters, then the rolling maul is the Steinway of rugby.
Mike Cron: The Scrum Setup PreviewMike Cron shows you the key elements to ensuring a strong, safe and balanced scrum set-up.
An interview with Martin CastrogiovanniCastro describes his scrummaging philosophies, his rugby idols and why he wants to share his skills.
Castro Scrum II: Scrum PowerIn this module Castro takes you through his scrum positioning techniques to produce the greatest power. Showing you how to build a stable set-up, work as a cohesive unit and how to make the greatest impact. “With the scrum it’s the small things, a small thing can change a lot.”
Rugby players must learn to jump before they can walkMark Reason examines how influential the restart was at the weekend’s Super 15 and reckons the influence of Aussie Rules has been big in New Zealand rugby.
When Lineouts Go BadA young Sean Fitzpatrick once copped a mouthful of abuse after missing Andy Haden at lineout practise. He soon found out the keys to a good lineout are a lot of hard work and a quick set-up.
Refs and ScrumsMartin Castrogiovanni explains why he thinks refs need to listen to props more.
Martin Castrogiovanni: Scrum I Individual Power Position Trailer“Don’t try to be comfortable, because in the scrum you don’t need to be comfortable.” This is not just a module for front rowers, it’s for all players in the scrum, front, middle and back row. Martin Castrogiovanni one of the most respected scrummagers in rugby takes you through his power position checklist. Sharing with you THE most effective pushing position for every individual in the scrum to generate maximum force.
Richie McCaw: Set Piece Running Lines TrailerWatch one of the worlds best openside flankers, Richie McCaw, show you how to get from set piece to the breakdown as quickly as possibly. It is not about speed or knowing where to go, its about know how to get there efficiently and make the right decisions on what is happening next.
Band of BrothersBrendon Ratcliffe wants to know if your forwards are hard enough to survive the ordeal that he put his Northampton pack through
