Martin's Rugby Coaching Forum

Hi Martin,


I want to start getting my forward to do the pick and go. Any advice on how and when it should be done?

Regards,


BL

Hello BL,

When to pick and go: if the defense is spaced out wide, slow ball and nothing is really on you need to penetrate the defense to suck in defenders. This will create space elswhere. The pick and go works well for this. When you do this in two it is called the Hammer. Look at the Pumas in the RWC2007!

How? Realise that as soon as you pick the offside line is gone, defenders may come up. Maintain a low body position.

I like the pick and go because it moves the ball around, static play, but no so static as 8 forwards going over the ball - old school rugby!

Good luck,

_________________
Martin, Rugbyhead

Break down rucking in terms of key factors and focus on them:

body position
binding
step over
where to bind
how many players over the ball?

You can think of lots of exercises to practise these skills. Do not try to achieve everything in one exercise. On decision making, players have to ask themselves:

do I go over?
do I pick up and drive?
do I pick up and pop to a player who drives?
do I pick up and pass wide?