Crash ball running

Question
Hi there Mr. Shepard. I'll try and be brief with my question. I'm an 8 year rugby player, mainly playing the 2 prop positions, and I'm finding it hard to stay low in my runs on crash balls off of the ruck. I try and get low sometimes, but constantly find myself slowing up at the tackle and attempting handoffs and other useless tactics for a 265 lb charging forward. My team relies heavily upon my ability to draw 3, 4 sometime 5 players onto a tackle so we can free up spae for the backs. any tips on staying low on my runs? thanks. -John B.-

Answer
John,

I am also that unlucky soul they give the ball to in penalty plays or pod punches to break through the defense.

Please do not be insulted with following discussion.  I have found that often rep side players luck training or instruction in some basic skills.

The biggie: going into contact carrying the ball well is usually more a matter of good technique than pure strength or power.

Almost all actions taken by a forward in rugby evolve from the same basic body position.  It is very similar to the crouch position used by wrestler to perform squats:

-Outside edge of heels in line with your shoulders
-Toes pointed forwarded
-Knees bent
-Hips square
-揝pine in line?
-Back bowed inward
-Shoulders square and a little back
-Head up

I often revert to this posture when posting the ball, picking up the ball going into contact, or even supporting rucks and mauls.

There are many ways to go into contact.  I will describe the two classic 搊ldie, but goodie?techniques that I use.  If you know the power step and 揵aseball bat? the second modification to the baseball bat may be the must useful technique to you.

The first is the classic 損ower step?

First, let us assume that you are moving in with a body position similar to what is described above and holding the ball with two hands.

About five meters out, you make a decision ?go into contact, pass the ball, kick the ball, etc.

Once the decision has been made, carry on through (do not decide to go into contact, then try to pass the ball)

Once the decision has been made to go into contact, start to rotate your body so that your side is facing the opposition.  

Prior to making contact:
-Establish a solid base (that squat position again)
-Plant your forward foot as forward as possible, best case is between your opponents feet
-lean back a little on your rear foot
-bend your knees (crouch)
-tense your body, especially your shoulder
-Protect the ball by keeping it in both hands and placing it on your opposite hip.
-Do not let your shoulder go beyond your forward knee (this will make you unstable)
Upon contact:
-When your shoulder and upper arm makes contact with you opponent, ensure that there is a straight line in your body from the tip of your shoulder to your rear heel on the ground (do not tilt your shoulder down, or lower your head.
-Take the contact, bending your rear knee a little to take the shock.
-Upon contact, your opponent should be knocked back (essentially he ran into a brick wall, you)
-At this point attack.
-As you become comfortable with this technique, you can modify it to work better for you.

Remember, rotate the body and be in good body position prior to contact!

The second is the 揵aseball bat?br>
With this technique prior to making contact,
-Rotate your body
-Plant your forward foot
-Lean back a little on your rear foot
-Bend your knees (crouch)
-Essentially establishing a solid 揵ase?

Next, you protect the ball by placing it in the valley formed between the upper thigh and waist when you crouch and putting your rear forearm and hand over the ball to secure it. This is where the 揵all?comes in.

Now that you have established the base and are protecting the ball, you are ready for contact. You extend your free arm forward with the hand up and fingers extended (do not ever make a fist). You attempt to make contact with your hand on to your opponent's inside chest or shoulder, thus knocking him off balance. The old English term for hitting someone is to 揵at?him. This is how this technique came to known as the 搕he Baseball bat? It is generally a static technique that knocks the opponent off balance, preventing a tackle.

Again, as you become comfortable with this technique, you can modify it to work better for you.

The first modification, generally for smaller players who want to hold off the opposing player is to actually grab his jersey, allowing the elbow to bend a little to take the shock. Generally, even the smallest player maintaining a stable base can hold off the opposition for a couple seconds allowing teammates to come in for support.

The second modification is generally used by the front row and to a lesser extent the second row and eight man. Instead of holding the opposition off, you are making him unbalanced in order to run over him. Once you have made contact and grabbed your opponent's jersey, you bring him forward into your forearm. This where you must be very careful in the placement of your arm. The forearm must make contact first and must be across the chest. Bringing the forearm across the neck or face, or having the elbow make first contact are considered, and rightly so, dangerous play (law 10.4 (a)). Once the forearm makes contact, you continue to push forward. This is a dynamic use of the static technique of 揵aseball bat? I think this is viable technique and use it myself.

Taller players have problems with this technique since the shoulders should be at the level of his opponents armpits. This is required in order both maximize the push from the base (legs) and to prevent the forearm from making contact with an opponent's neck. Like almost all rugby push/contact techniques, you go from low to high.

Good luck,

Deane Shephard
Stuttgart RC