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The Breakdown
As a rugby referee, the main objective at the breakdown is to facilitate a fast release of the ball while rewarding legal dominance. The referee must enforce the laws of the game to ensure a fair contest for possession and to protect players from injury. The goal is to maintain the flow of the game by promoting a quick release of the ball and recognising the team that legally wins the contest for possession.
The priority list at the breakdown should be as follows:
- Tackler - The first priority is to ensure the tackler makes an immediate attempt to open up and roll from side to side, not towards the halfback. The contest for the ball can only start once the tackler is out of the way.
- Tackler assist - The next priority is to enforce the clear release of the tackler's assist. It is the responsibility of the player to convince the referee of a clear release.
- Ball carrier - The ball carrier should be allowed one dynamic movement, similar to the motion of scoring a try.
- Order of arrival - The first player to arrive at the breakdown should be given priority, whether they are involved in the cleanout or attempting to jackle the ball.
- Entry - The referee must be aware of players entering the breakdown and enforce the laws regarding entry.
- Awareness of players beyond the breakdown - The referee must always be aware of the actions of players beyond the breakdown, as their actions can affect the outcome of the contest for the ball.
The Jackler must comply with the following three requirements:
A. Be there first - The jackler must arrive at the breakdown first and be in a position to legally contest for the ball.
B. Position of strength - The jackler must be in a strong position to effectively contest for the ball, without putting themselves or others in danger.
C. Lift the ball - The jackeler must legally lift the ball in order to win the contest for possession.
Additional key notes:
•A Jackler that reloads and complies with B and C above should still be rewarded (provided he has beaten the ruck)
•The Jackler MUST show clear release (arms in an upward motion before attempting the steal)
- it is important to be aware of who is dominating the breakdown
The player or team that is dominating the breakdown has control of the ball and has the advantage in the contest for possession. The referee must monitor the contest at the breakdown and enforce the laws of the game, such as promoting a fair release of the ball and preventing dangerous play. The referee should also reward the team that legally dominates the breakdown by allowing them to retain possession of the ball. By being aware of the dominant team at the breakdown, the referee can maintain a fair and safe contest for the ball and promote the flow of the game.
- Defending player off feet / hands past and reload vs hands sliding past the ball and we can't reward
General notes
- it's important for referees to be able to distinguish between a tackle and a maul, and to reward good defense in both situations.
- A tackle occurs when the ball carrier is held by one or more opponents and is brought to the ground. Good defense in a tackle situation might involve the tackler bringing the ball carrier to the ground quickly and legally, without allowing them to offload the ball to a teammate. It might also involve other defenders working together to quickly counter-ruck and try to win the ball back.
- A maul, on the other hand, is formed when a player carrying the ball is held by one or more opponents and one or more players from each team bind together. Good defense in a maul situation might involve the defenders working together to stop the maul from moving forward and force the attacking team to use the ball quickly or risk losing possession.
- In both situations, referees must be able to distinguish between a tackle and a maul and ensure that the players are following the Laws of the Game. This includes making sure that the tackler releases the tackled player and gets to their feet before attempting to play the ball, and that players in the maul remain on their feet and the maul is moving forward.
- When good defense is displayed in either situation, it's important for referees to recognize and reward it. This might mean awarding a penalty to the defending team for a good counter-ruck, or allowing play to continue when defenders have successfully disrupted an attacking maul. By recognizing and rewarding good defense, referees help to promote a fair and competitive game, and encourage players to play within the Laws of the Game.
- A cleanout around the legs at a breakdown is ILLEGAL and must be penalised
it is important to enforce the correct technique for attacking support players at the breakdown.
Attacking support players must drive, not dive, in their attempt to contest the ball.
This means that they should use their bodies to push forward and contest the ball, rather than diving into the contest.
To maintain a fair and safe contest for the ball at the breakdown, attacking support players must adhere to the following principles:
a. Reload - If the initial attempt to contest the ball went off the feet, the supporter must reload and make another attempt to contest the ball.
b. Not take the contest away - The supporter must not take the contest away.
c. Awareness of defenders stepping away - The supporter must be aware of defenders stepping away from the contest and should not be reckless in their attempt to contest the ball.
It is important to promote a quick ball at the breakdown
Quick ball cues that can help achieve this are:
- Sequence - The sequence of events at the breakdown should be monitored, with a focus on the tackler rolling away immediately, the tackler assist showing a clear release and arriving players arive from the correct direction and are on their feet supporting their body weight.
- Jackler - The player attempting to Jackle the ball should arrive first, position themselves in a strong and stable manner, and lift the ball to gain possession.
- Dominate - The team that legally dominates the breakdown should be rewarded with possession of the ball, and the referee should be aware of which team is dominating the breakdown.
- On feet - Players should contest the ball while on their feet, driving forward to contest the ball and avoiding diving.
- Speed of the breakdown - The speed of the breakdown should be monitored, with the aim of promoting a quick and efficient contest for the ball.
- Communication - Communication should only be used preventatively by the referee, and never to manage a player who was never in a legal position.
- "Use it" call - The referee should call "use it" when the ball is available, to prompt teams to comply with the requirements for a quick ball.
IT'S IMPORTANT TO BE AWARE OF THE LAWS AND REGULATIONS SURROUNDING THE BREAKDOWN.
SOME KEY NOTES TO KEEP IN MIND ARE:
- The tackler must play from their own side once the tackle is complete.
- Once a ruck has been formed, it remains a ruck until the ball is played.
- Holding on is when a player lifts the ball and the ball carrier pulls the ball back, not simply having hands on the ball.
- The contest for the ball in a ruck or breakdown can only start once the tackler is out of the way.
- If tacklers are prevented from rolling away or if there is any deliberate action to gain a penalty, play should continue.
- Halfbacks may use their hands to release a stuck ball, but should only use their feet when setting up for box kicks.
- Referees should call "use it" immediately once the ball is available and the scrum-half has 5 seconds to use it, the referee will count down.
- Referees should use communication preventatively, and should not manage a player who was never legal.
SPEED
Assist Tackler
- Assist Tacklers must show a clear release to the referee
When an assist tackler is involved in a tackle, they must show a clear release to the referee. This means that they must let go of the ball carrier and clearly show that they are no longer holding onto them before attempting to play the ball.
- Assist tacklers must clearly disconnect from the ball carrier
When an assist tackler is involved in a tackle, they must clearly disconnect from the ball carrier before attempting to play the ball. This means that the assist tackler must remove their hands from the ball carrier and ensure that they are no longer holding on before attempting to play the ball.
What we don’t want
Penalty KIck examples
SPEED
Trapping
Holding and landing on top of tacklers to prevent them rolling away immediately - Expectation is PK
SPEED
Caterpillar Rucks
Hands on the ground (i.e. No bound) = Ball out
Player must not collapse players who are bound in the ruck = Ball not out
Good contest by jackler
Jackler's hands past the ball and no reload
Single action – no clear release
No clear release
Sealing/Latchers
•Drive not dive
•No “flopping”
•Reload immediately
•Pressure
No attempt to stay on feet
No attempt to stay on feet
Conclusion
The Sequence of the Breakdown:
- Tackler makes a tackle and brings the ball carrier to ground.
- Once the tackle is complete, the tackler and tackler assist must release the ball carrier and get back on their feet, playing the ball from their own side of the breakdown.
- A ruck may then form if one or more players from each team are in contact on their feet over the ball on the ground.
- The first arriving player from either team (other than the tackler) must bind onto a teammate and use their body weight to drive over the ball and create a clear release of the ball.
- The player who arrives second, known as the jackler, can then attempt to win the ball by placing their hands on the ball, staying on their feet and driving over the ball.
- If the jackler is successful in winning the ball, they can either pick it up and run with it or pass it back to their teammates.
- The defending team may attempt to "clean out" the jackler by driving them off the ball with their body weight. This must be done safely and legally, without making contact with the head or neck area.
- If the jackler is unable to win the ball or the attacking team fails to secure possession, the ball must be played by the scrum half or a supporting player from behind the hindmost foot of the ruck.
- The scrum half has five seconds to pass the ball from the base of the ruck, after which the referee may call "use it" and the ball must be played immediately.
Key points to remember:
- The tackler must release the ball carrier and get back on their feet before playing the ball.
- The jackler must attempt to win the ball and stay on their feet, while the defending team can attempt to drive them off the ball.
- The "matador" technique of standing over or near a ruck waiting to be cleaned out is not allowed and will result in a penalty.
- The referee should only manage players who were legal to begin with, and should not penalize a player for something that was not an offense.
Additional Training Video Clips
Sealing
Sealing
Shifting contact point 1
Shifting contact point 2
Jackler should have been rewarded 1
Jackler should have been rewarded 2
Jackler should have been rewarded 3
Jackler should not have been rewarded 1
Good reward for Jackler as clenout misses target and Jackler on the ball
Attack side entry 1
Attack side entry 2
Attack side entry 3
Attack side entry 4
7 Red from the side
Attack side entry 6
Maul vs Tackle 1
No 9 Wales must use feet and not pretend ball is out
Wales 9 rakes ball backwards - ball now out, also pretends
Good reload by Green 8
Tackler assist(6) must come through the gate
No clear release by Red 2
Compare what we require from Jackler
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