Rugby: ground

I'm coaching and reffing U11 rugby and one of my players is the definitive 'big lad'. His 'strength' is his size and his power, but last weekend he didn't seem to get reffed fairly. The opposition couldn't tackle him down, one on one and when another two joined in to make a mini maul, that didn't slow him down much either. The ref then let other people join in the (one sided) struggle to tackle him down, which seemed very unfair as A) it's outside the laws of U11 rugby,, B) it makes it nigh on impossible for him to offload, C) when he is brought to ground, he has 4-5 players all over him and he got pinged for 'holding on'. He is a recent arrival to rugby and it was our first game for a couple of months, so the situation hadn't reared his head before. We are keen that he learns all of the core skills of rugby and doesn't get used as a battering ram, but after seeing a pack of hyenas trying to pull down the big fella, something just didn't seem right to me.I'd be grateful for any thoughts and opinions.

Hi, I have an enquiry about the post lineout rules. A lineout jumper successfully catches the ball, returns to the ground and precceds to maul. The defending team has three options to put (1)leverage against with defending maul, to (2) attack the main front men of the maul but also I heard on this weekends commentary there is a (3)dragging down. When the lineout jumper is returning to the ground it seems the defending team can hold the jumper as long as no pressure is excerted and when they hit the floor the defending team can tackle him (drag him to the ground) stopping the maul. Is this right and if so are there further rules governing this that i cannot yet find? I have read the IRB 2009 laws but still i have no answer. Many Thanks

Under 8's first session on 'contact' %3A the plan is to get them on the ground with the ball, learning contact with the ground before the player%3A can anyone suggest some ground based drills with the ball, (eg forward roll) to get them going? Thanks

What could you teach a player cues for the halfback pass,(passing from the ground)?

When the ball is kicked directly over the touch line but does not hit the ground and bends back in field before landing in play, is this in or out?

i coach collegiate womens rugby...any suggestions for tackling sessions in practice - my girls are very hesitant to "hurt" each other. we have tackle dummies, but that just isn't the same...

Can you show me how to tackle cleanly?

The law says that a forward pass is one "thrown forward" "in the direction of the opponents' goal line" Does that mean that, if the ball is passed and the receiver catches it NEARER to the opponents goal line than from where the ball was passed that the pass was forward? (Leaving to one side any other touches of the ball that might have taken place.) Maybe an example is better. Player 1 passes the ball sideways - releasing it on the 22 metre line. Player 2 (with no other player having touched the ball), running from well behind the 22 metre line, catches the ball when it has travelled sideways but the ball is now 20 metres from the opponents goal line (2 metres further forward from the place that the ball was passed). Is that a forward pass or throw forward? And if not, why not?

a defender that is part of the ruck, can he take a swipe at the ball or tackle the scrumhalf once he has the ball?

We are touring France. Where can I find the French rules for U11's ?

is a player deemed of their feet at a ruck when both hands and feet are in contact with floor (basically in a press up position)

Does anyone have a definitive answer to this question%3A can I coach basic tackling skills to U8s now, in preparation for next season, without falling foul of any RFU rules or regulations? Hugo

I will be coaching under 10 next season and need some guidance on how to interpret the rules for the maul?

At under 10s I was under the impression that it is 1v1 tackling. Can someone clarify the laws on this please?

Get on feet without using knees ?

My guys in Cape Verde can't seem to get the concept of a good pass... They just throw the ball in the general direction of the closest player and there is always SO MUCH scrambling around on the ground to get it again.  I've showed them video clips on you tube of drills and real games, I tell them every day that if they make good passes to their teammates then they save the time of fumbling around on the ground for the ball, but they seem to almost enjoy doing that....any ideas??

Simon My son's PE teacher has told him that Bridging is lieegal for the U13 to U19 group. His Club coach has been encouraging its use in games for two seasons. I can see some of the dangers but also the advantages Who is right is it banned or can it be used? Paul submitted by email

My fowards seem afraid to ruck and stand around the ruck while in the way of the scrum half trying to get the ball out to the backs. They also don't support the ball carrier while he is being tackled. Please help me with any suggestions!!!

Can you lift the legs when clearing out the ruck and if so what happens if you take the player off his feet to the ground?

Can you pull a ball carrier down by the jersey? If all you can get ahold of is the players shirt tail can you hold on and drag them down to the ground?