There are two styles of play for clearing the ball out of the centre. One is to have players responsible for an area of the centre square and hitting the ball to a given area. This is a good way for younger ruckmen who are developing their ability to tap the ball. The person in the area that the ball is tapped to must be assisted by way of blocks, shepherds and disposal options. The areas A and B (see diagram) may be shifted depending on the strengths and weaknesses of the ruckman and to provide variation.
It is important to vary the direction of the tap as well as the length of the tap or punch. This makes the opposition guess constantly where the next tap might be heading.
As a general rule, do not tap the ball backwards because it provides momentum towards the opposition goal.
The other way of successfully clearing the ball out of the centre is to divide the players involved into four roles.
The RUCKMAN. He is responsible for getting the tap out and directing the ball to a predetermined spot
The SWEEPER. He is responsible for roving the opposition ruckman’s knock and putting pressure on the opposition rover if he gets the bal. This is usually the centreman. It is important that this person does not over commit or get too close to the contest and have the opposition tap the ball into space behind the sweeper.
The RECIEVER. He is responsible for assisting the receiver in getting the ball by shepherding and blocking out the opposition. This is usually the rover. This person must have eyes only for the ball and be committed absolutely to getting the tap.
The PROTECTOR. He is responsible for assisting the receiver in getting the ball by shepherding and blocking out the opposition. This is usually the ruck-rover. This person’s role should not be underestimated. The amount of time that the receiver has to collect and dispose of the ball effectively is determined by the amount of space and time he gets from the protector doing his job efficiently. Remember that there is a distance for a shepherd to be legal.
Before each centre bounce there is a break in play; a goal is scored or the quarter is about the start. The four players involved should have a short discussion. The spot that the ruckman will hit the ball to and the role each of the other players will play are determined. If the ball is not won from the centre bounce it is usually because someone has not done his job properly. Either the ruckman did not win the tap or misdirected it, the receiver did not run to the right spot or fumbled the knock or was tackled because the protector did not support the receiver well enough.
After each bounce the players involved and the coach may analyse what went right or wrong and at the next short discussion provide feedback to the ruckman to enable a more informed choice of tap to take place. It is important to vary the direction of the tap as well as the length of the tap or punch. This makes the opposition guess constantly where the next tap might be heading. Do not be afraid to swap the roles of the sweeper, receiver and protector to provide more variation.
Once the tap has been won and received then the options are as follows: IF the receiver is well protected then he may play on quickly by running, kicking or handpassing. The degree as to which he can do this is proportional to the amount of protection and support he receives. If the receiver is under pressure he may feed a handball back to the wingman coming into the square. The protector much block out the opposition effectively and talk to the receiver to tell him he is clear and give direction for his disposal options.
If one of the players in the centre bounce contest is being tagged then he immediately becomes the sweeper. This negates the tag because the tagger is defending a defensive position. It also ensures that the receiver is not going to be tackled as soon as he gets the tap.
If the opposition man up in the centre it is quite easy for the protector to shepherd or block the player who is tagging the receiver. This should release the receiver into space and give him plenty of time to collect and dispose of the ball. The person tagging the protector is usually not quick enough to alter his focus to pick up the receiver and contest the hit out. The other alternative is for all three players to line up with our ruckman and the ruckman to tap the ball forward over the opposition’s head into space. The receiver and protector would then run on to the ball heading towards goal.
Taken from Secrets of the Modern Ruckman compiled by Simon Madden and Daren Flanigan
