Have all centre players behind the ball, then running forward with designated blockers in place.

Centre Half Forward needs to be in 50m arc with HFF out wide which opens up the corridor for the on ballers.

Attacking Ruck Play

Ruck Strategy (Five (5) Drills Included.

The Centre bounce is one of the most important parts of our game. A team that can consistently win the ball out of the centre will generally win the game.

It allows the forward players to have first use of the ball, creating many scoring opportunities and placing backmen under enormous pressure.
It is important to vary the direction of the tap as well as the length of the tap, this puts the opposition constantly under pressure as to where the ball will be tapped.

Ruckman.

He is responsible for getting the tap out and directing the ball to a spot worked out by the onball group. Constant communication between this group is vitally important.

Sweeper. (Centreman)

He is responsible for roving the opposition ruckmans work and putting extreme pressure on the opposition rover if he receives the ball from the tap. The sweeper must constantly “Tread water” as not to commit his actions too early. This player can also be very creative if we win the knock out by supporting the receiver and running off to receive the ball.

Receiver. (Rover)

He is responsible generally for getting the ball, running to a predetermined position decided by he and the ruckman. He must be fully committed to the role, eyes on the ball, creative, power runner and being a real work horse in the middle.

The Protector. (Ruck Rover)

He is responsible for assisting the receiver in getting the ball by shepherding / blocking, running at opposition players who are placing pressure on the receiver. He needs to be of strong character, disciplined, good reader of the play and prepared to use his body.

General.

Be prepared to change the roles of the centre group, this continually keeps the opposition guessing. Opposition are then unable to make plans to stop your dominance in the centre square.
If one of the players in the centre square is being tagged then swap this player to the sweeper role or the protector role.
This negates the opposition tagger and places him in a position not able to support his team mates and gives our receiver a better chance of winning the ball.
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