Skills Ruckwork - tips

[Mofra]

Ok, so I've signed up to play football and have a game this weekend (circumstances not important).

I have had one training session last Sunday - first one for 16 years. Bruddy sore (2.5hrs, wasn't expecting that) and have been thrown into the ruck as the only tallish player on the team.

Aside from jumping a bit earlier in the centre bounce contests, are there any ruckmen out there who can offer some tips and/or pointer to good websites that have tips?

Cheers

 

[sup3rfish]

would u describe ur self as a paddy ryder/ nick natanui type or more of a sandilands/ will minson type?

i would suggest watchn as much footage as u can and see how they do it in the afl. im no ruckman bur im sure a lot of it comes down to timing and talk around you...

 

[Mitho]

Timing timing timing.
If you're getting beaten... jump earlier than your opponent.

If he wants to go body on body and youre a slight or not very strong fellow, stand half a meter beside him and jump into him.

If you want to stand your ground and he doesn't, turn your back slightly so he jumps into it (with this one, DO NOT raise your arms out to the sides, they'll call you for shepherding almost all the time)

I rucked for years and was pretty good when I wrecked my knee and then spent a few years coaching ruck so if there's anything specific you wanna know, just ask!!


Edit: and one last thing... never take your eyes off the ball. Assume that every jump you're going to make contact with his body, dont look for it. You'll get pinged for that too.

 

[Mofra]

Cheers - good advice

I'm assuming I'll be shorter than my opponent so will have to jump slightly early, don't mind a bit of bash & crash so that's not a problem.

Turning the back is a good tip if the opponent is jumping.

 

[Mitho]

How'd you go Mof?

 

[Mofra]

Pretty good in the first half, played 3rd quarter on the HBF and barely got a touch then back to ruck in the last where it was probably even (although I would have lost the centre taps overall in Q4).

I was probably better at the around the ground contests but won plenty of taps in the first half in the centre.

Bruddy sore though - strained my quad pre-game and stuffed my finger up in Q2 - half my hand is purple, hopefully the swelling goes down soon so I can tape it.

 

[RU_]

Did you's win?

 

[Mofra]

Nup - in front at half time but lost by 7 points.

Our opponents had lost once in 3 years so it was a decent effort.
Got x rays yesterday though and confirmed a broken finger

 

[Mitho]

Ouch. Sounds like you were playing well though. Good stuff.

How bad is the break? Is it going to keep you out of the side?

 

[Mofra]

Hand is in a guard and I've been told to wear it constantly (sleeping, showering etc) for 4 weeks. 2 Fingers are bent in it so no chance of playing, although my legs will be happy for the rest for this week too.

 

[RU_]

Haha, least you stuck it out!

 

[Ghost of Grinter]

^^

Bump.

Can someone help me?

Are you still rucking?

Or, are you playing as a midfielder now?

 

[Jewbacca]

In ruck contests get your knee up, everything comes from that front knee. Best spot for it is the other ruckmans ribs, although dont focus on that. Focus on the ball and jump as if your trying to hit the footy with your lead knee. That secondary lift if you time it right is gold. Better to be too early than too late.

As for hard balls just do it. Go in hard once or twice and come out unscathed you'll be fine. It's your ball man, they have to get it off you.

Protect you midfielders, they're you best players and as a ruckman your job is to help them. Do it by getting the ball to them or by hindering the opposition midfielders, chances are they aren't bigger than you. Mongrel is essential in a ruckman.