These are just a few tips to help young players learn the art of rucking and be successful.
The center bounces and the ball rises off the ground:
• The new ruckman must learn to use both hands separately, to place the ball palm forward, left, right, and back. Then learn to use both hands and to hit the ball.
• The ruckman must learn to propel the ball into a space where his teammate will run.
• Most ruckmans are right-handed, so the action of using that tends to push the ball forward and to the left in youth and junior soccer. So your defensive player needs to be positioned to take advantage of that in case your ruckman doesn’t win the ball.
• If you have a winning ruck combination, you can set it up so that all players bouncing in the middle are facing your goal and the ball hurtles into space with all these players running in support. Hitting the ball forward is a good option here.
• The alternative when your team is losing the most rucks is to have your players face their opponent and move towards them when the ball starts.
• If you are losing the ruck, the contests fly for the ball a little later, your opponent uses both hands to block the ball when the opponent hits the ball.
• Always try to position yourself just below the ball where it is thrown to keep your opponent as far away from the ball as possible. It should not look like a shepherd.
Limit releases:
• Always be on the defensive side of the contest.
• Try to get up front when the ball reaches the fight.
• At the baseline, always hit the ball over the edge and forward toward your targets and into space for your rovers to meet.
• On the attack line, hit the ball towards the goals, back into space. Alternatively, hit the ball into the space behind you so your rover rallies and runs straight for the goal for an easy scoring opportunity.
• Be sure to position your rover and other players indicating where you plan to hit the ball.
• A palm of the ball with both hands can be useful here.
Common mistakes:
There are two areas where players don’t compete well.
(a) First, the player starts his race toward the rucking contest too far from the ball up.
(b) The second mistake is not extending your arm to its maximum height to reach the ball at a higher level and before your opponent.
Tactics around the ground for ruckman:
• If the opponent is kicking for goal, you must be in the goal box ready to score, spoil or hit the ball through the goals.
• When your team is kicking for goals, you must be in the goal box to pass the ball to a goal or to score the ball if the ball falls short.
• If the ball is on the ground with you, a kick and a half should be placed behind the ball. This allows you to move forward to grab and intercept marks. Remember to adjust your position taking into account the wind.
• Again, if the ball is in front of you, stand behind the ball in a direct line to your opponent’s goal. Make sure to adjust your position with the lateral movement of the ball.
