Rucking - the roll ball

The ruck (or roll ball) is a vital tag rugby skill. A team that can catch, pass and roll effectively will be able to offer a challenge to most sides they encounter. However, as with basic passing and catching, the roll ball is often overlooked as players look to develop more complicated (but less important or effective) ways of playing. The primary aim of rucking is to advance the ball up the field as quickly as possible while using the fewest number of tags. If executed correctly it is the simplest way to catch a defence offside which in turn creates opportunities to score. 

When to roll the ball back

After you have been tagged your forward momentum might have taken you forwards a couple of steps, or you might not have realised you have been tagged until the referee made you aware. Either way, it’s imperative you get back to the mark you were tagged as quickly as possible. This will usually be just in front of the defender who has tagged you. This is where you will execute the roll ball. 

How to roll the ball back

To execute a roll ball with the greatest efficiency place the ball on the ground between your feet lengthways so that the points of the ball are facing left and right as you see it.

With either foot, roll the ball back with the sole of your foot. However, not too fast as to make it difficult for the dummy half to pick up. 

EVADING A TACKLE

Sidestep.

A side step occurs when a ball carrier heading in one direction suddenly changes course and heads off on a different path. This move is one of the easiest and most effective ways of getting past an opponent. A good time to use a side step is when you’re running with the ball and a defender lines you up for a one-on-one tackle. 

To set up the side step, run directly at a would-be defender, which will cause the player to slow down while preparing to make a tackle. Just before the defender makes a move for your tag, slow down a bit. If you want to sidestep to your right, drop your body weight onto your bent left leg, planting the foot firmly on the ground. Drop your shoulder to your left and then drive off your left leg and push away is a sideways direction to your right. 

When you’ve sidestepped around your opponent, accelerate to full speed and continue your run. The key is to slightly reduce your pace before you make your move and to explode off the driving leg to create as much distance possible between you and the defender.

Adding deception:

Before you push off to the right, feint with your body to make your opponent think you’re about to go left

Although the side step may sound like a bit like a fancy move from a 70’s disco movie, it’s a great skill in rugby because if it's done well the defender in front of you looks pretty foolish grabbing thin air as you cruise by.

Do the spin

In the spin move, the ball carrier makes the defender commit by running into space and as the defender's arm is stretched out to grab a tag you do a pirouette. The spin is made by quickly twisting, swivelling your hips, and turning your back on the tackler.

Throwing the dummy

A dummy is a simple fake pass. By throwing a dummy, you lead your opponent to believe you’re going to pass the ball to a teammate, but at the last minute (just as your opponent changes direction to follow the ball) you pull it back and continue running.

The move involves faking the pass with your eyes, arms, and body while maintaining awareness to see if the defender bites on the misdirection. When the tackler takes the bait and commits towards the receiver, pull back the ball and cut upfield. If you don’t do a good enough job of selling the dummy, you will be an easy target for a tackle.

(a) If the ball carrier comes into contact with the referee whilst trying to evade a tackle, a tackle will be called at the previous tackle count and a ruck ball shall take place at the position where the ball carrier came into contact with the referee. 

(b) Where a referee interferes with play and, in their opinion, has prevented a tackle, the referee shall award a ruck ball to the team in possession at the previous tackle count. 

(c) If the ball carrier falls or dives to the ground the tackle will be counted. The ball carrier shall be asked to conduct a ruck ball no less than five metres out from the goal line and the tackle count will continue. If this occurs on the last tackle a ruck ball to the opposition (changeover) will occur

(d) All players must stay on their feet. A player must not dive to the ground.