Breakdown drill
Shoulder Battle Jackal
Learn to survive a clean-out and stay on the ball, and to clear a jackal legally.
- Time
- 20 minutes
- Players
- 2 to 8 players
- Intensity
- High
- Equipment
- Ball
- Space
- 5m x 5m
- Positions
- Back row, locks
Setup
One ball on the ground with the jackaler set over it, and a partner starting 2m away behind the ball. Optional contact pad.
How to run it
- The jackaler sets with wide braced feet, the outside foot planted forward of the ball as a brace, hips low, chest over the ball and both hands gripping it, taking their weight through their legs.
- The partner drives straight backwards into the jackaler's chest - pushing and driving only.
- You may not roll, pull or twist an opponent off the ball; the crocodile roll was banned in 2024 and is now a penalty and likely a card, so coach the person pushing as hard as the person resisting.
- The jackaler resists by lowering their hips further and widening the base, never by leaning weight onto the ball.
- Three-second contests, 8 reps each role, 3 rounds, starting at 50% intensity.
Coaching cues
- Legs wider than shoulder-width, shoulders above hips
- Drive straight backwards only - no twist, no pull, no roll
- Resist by dropping your hips, not by leaning on the ball
Common mistakes
- Twisting or pulling the jackaler sideways, which is the banned crocodile roll and how jackalers get seriously hurt
- The jackaler collapsing onto the ball or ending up with shoulders below hips
Related drills
- Bounce and CompeteWin the race from the floor to a legal position over the ball.
- First Man at the RuckWin the race to the contact area and clear the threat rather than just arriving.
- Floor Seal Clear PickDrill the three breakdown roles as a reactive sequence rather than a set piece.
- Contact Square Inside ClearFall away from the jackal threat and clear the man who does contest.
- Coming Through the GateBuild the habit of joining a ruck legally when the short route is tempting.
- Counter Ruck UnitTurn the ball over by driving over the ruck as a connected unit.