Rugby
Set Piece
Maul Drive — Rolling Maul
Rugby drill for set piece training sessions
Forwards practise setting and driving a rolling maul from a lineout or restart.
What This Drill Improves
This rugby drill is best for advanced players who need focused work on set piece. It works well with 8 players and can be adjusted by changing the space, pressure, or scoring rules.
Setup
Ball carrier is bound by two supporters. Three defenders in a passive wall.
Instructions
- Carrier starts maul — planted, driving.
- First binder wraps around the hip.
- Second binder binds opposite side.
- On roll call, ball shifts to back of maul and a new carrier drives.
- Drive 15 m in under 6 seconds.
Coaching Points
✓ Heads up — drive through, don't round the side.
✓ Ball must stay off the ground.
✓ Tight bind — no reaching.
Common Mistakes to Watch For
- Players losing focus on the main coaching point.
- The drill area being too large or too small for the group.
- Progressing the drill before the basic pattern is clean.
Progressions: Make It Harder
→ Active defence.
→ Maul must cover 10 m before ball is released.
→ Competition: attackers vs defenders — who controls the maul?
Regressions: Make It Easier
Reduce the number of defenders or make pressure passive for the first few rounds.
Increase the playing space so players have more time to make decisions.
Want to add drills directly to a session plan?
View Premium