Ruckman Backline/Centre Bounces

The stratedgy and mindset to achieve a succesful outcome from your Ruckman in backline and centre bounces.   Do you have anything to add? Please do so in the comments.

The ruckman should win the hit out in the backline. This is because the opposition ruckman usually has formed a wall with the centreman and an on-baller a kick behind the play.

The ruckman would be contesting the hit out against a CHF, FF or FP. This frees up their respective opponents and makes them a viable option to direct the tap to, protect the receiver or provide an outlet for the receiver.

The hit out directed into this area gives the receiver a number of options. For starters, the receiver is facing the direction that he is going so he will not have to do a U-turn to dispose of the ball. The receiver, if he is well protected and has space, may play on and switch the play to the opposite back pocket and the team would run the ball out of the backline and therefore bypass the wall set up by the opposition players. He may use the spare backman to give a quick handball or short kick to.

He may just move the ball along the boundary with a grubber kick and force another boundary throw in. If the opposition sharks the hit out then it is a difficult position for them to kick a goal from. It is always advisable to have someone at the back of the contest to make sure that the opposition do not get an uncontested kick in the scoring corridor. This person could be the spare backman.

Design a game drill for your players, teaching them the ingredients of this situation.