Alright, so today I figured I’d finally tackle my rucking technique. Always got pushed around in those messy breakdowns, felt like I was just throwing myself at the problem and hoping. Needed a system. Stumbled across this “5 simple steps” idea online, seemed straightforward enough. Decided to dedicate the whole training session to just drilling this.
Starting Simple: Getting Low & Staying Low
First step was all about the approach. Usually, I’d just run up kinda upright. Big mistake. Told myself, “Get low BEFORE you hit the pile.” Tried it out on a tackle bag first. Ran in, dropped my hips way down like I was squatting, kept my back straight(ish). Felt weirdly powerful just holding that low position near the bag.
Then, instead of diving in headfirst like a madman, I focused on connecting with my shoulder first. Lowered my shoulder into the imaginary opponent behind the bag. Kept driving my feet. Forced myself to step past the contact point, not just stop. This part took a few goes – kept wanting to stop dead.
Hitting the “Surfboard”
Next step sounded funny: “Make yourself long like a surfboard.” Right. The idea is to hit the breakdown low and strong, then instantly stretch out over the ball. So I tried it. Approached low, shoulder into the bag, then BAM – drove my legs while pushing my head and chest forward, aiming to stretch right over the bag where the ball would be.
- Legs driving hard underneath me.
- Chest going flat over the “ball”.
- Aiming to be long and strong, covering the area.
Felt way more stable like that, covering ground. Like I was sealing off the space properly.
The Leg Drive (Where I Gassed Out)
This was the killer. Step 3 was pure leg power. Once you’re in that surfboard position over the ball, you gotta just keep pumping those legs. Like climbing stairs forever. Did it against a static bag. Felt alright for five seconds. Then it was hell. My legs BURNED. It felt way longer than it actually was. But the point is, you can’t stop driving. Not until the ball is clearly yours.
Cleaning Up: Hands Off!
Okay, step 4 was a mindset shift. We all wanna grab the ball, right? Nope. The drill said: Hands Off. This was tough. So used to reaching. The point is, if you’re driving strong with your legs and covering the ball with your body, you shouldn’t need to play the ball. You let the scrum-half do that. Your job is to dominate the space. Practised approaching, hitting, driving… and forcing myself to keep my hands wrapped on my own chest or at my sides. Weird, but necessary. Focuses you on the body position and the leg drive.
Putting it Together Against Real People (Kinda)
Last step: practice on someone. Found a teammate willing to lie there like a tackled player. Started slow: Approach low -> Shoulder connect -> Leg Drive -> Surfboard stretch over “ball” -> PUMP LEGS LIKE CRAZY -> Hands tucked away.
First few attempts were sloppy. Forgot the low approach once, got stood up. Hands went wandering another time. But then… got one right. Hit low, stayed strong, drove my legs, felt solid over the ball. Teammate couldn’t shift me. Felt amazing! Finally felt like I was actually rucking properly, not just adding to the mess.
Honest Thoughts Afterwards
It seems so simple written down: get low, connect, be long, drive legs, hands off. But doing it all under pressure? Whole different beast. Still need loads more practice to make it muscle memory. Felt like I’d done a leg day in the gym. Seriously gassed. But honestly, for the first time, I actually understand what I’m TRYING to do in a ruck. Before, it was just chaos. This gives me steps to follow. Still sucks getting tired, still tricky to nail it every time, but at least I’ve got a plan now. Onwards!
