Few things in South Africa are more popular than the property for sale in Plett: Rugby is one such rare example…and as such, much training is needed to keep teams competitive. Rugby uses the scrum machine during training because it is one of the best training devices against the potential force, power or drive of opponents during a game. The machine is padded to avoid injuries, weighed down so rugby players can properly simulate the kind of force they will experience from their opponents on the field. The machine should, if used properly, be able to improve a player’s skill and strength.
The scrum machine needs to be used with technique. One can jump slam into the machine because it could cause injuries. Coaches train players to work on a simultaneous hit-shunt-drive movement with the kind of force they would use in an actual game. There are scrum machines good for one player and there are those good for 3 or more doing the movement at the same time.
The Two Most Common Types are:
Sled Scrum – This scrum machine is weighed down flat on the ground with just a little elevation to avoid ruining the field or grass. Players stand on the other end to add more weight to the machine.
Roller Scrum – This type obviously has a wheel or roller and is considered safer than the sled machine.
There are other types of scrum machines like the indoor, junior, bespoke or homemade, trailer, and portable.
Scrummaging Technique
The basic rule for scrummaging and rugby players is the no one is exempt. Everyone has to go through scrum training because coaches feel it puts the players in the right frame of mind. Some coaches even prefer to do scrum drills as the last part of training when the players are tired but need to find their second wind. This is where coaches feel the boys are separated from the men.
Amateur rugby players are advised against trying the scrummage drills used by professional rugby players. It would be better for them to use to single player scrum machine which can be used at home. The advantage amateurs have over the professional or experienced athlete is that they have no previous training which could prevent them from doing well. For instance, with trained athletes, there is a certain roughness that could make an athlete use the wrong position especially in the bind and body position.
Steps in Scrummage Drills
It always starts with the warm-up drills which should take at least 5 minutes. This is the time to stretch your muscles slowly and build the pressure on your muscles as your warm-up progresses. Warm-up exercises are not so much running but stretching, doing neck exercises, press-ups, and even a little wrestling.
After the warm-up, the players must dress for the scrum machine. Players must then form their scrum teams. The basic instructions are Crouch, Touch, Pause, and Engage. However, the first few times should not be done with full force. This should also be allowed to build-up.
The position of the body during the scrum drills should start with knees to the ground or from a higher position to the scrum machine. In other words, there are 2 choices: from the ground and from a higher position. The coach must be the one to determine the starting position based on the skills, physical dimensions of the players, and the type of scrum machine.
Finally, the power training should come from the body position and body shape. Drills must focus on the transfer of power from leg up and always with a straight back.
Big 5 Rugby
