page_title: Ruckman (Australian rules football)
section_title: Attacking strategies
hierarchical_section_title: Ruckman (Australian rules football) / Strategies using ruckmen / Attacking strategies
caption_attribution_description: The rucks reach for the ball after the umpire (in orange) has balled it up. Taken at the Grand Final of the Victorian Women's Football League, Division 1. Melbourne University MUGARS (black and blue) def. Darebin Falcons.
context_page_description: In Australian rules football, a ruckman or ruckwoman is typically a tall and athletic player who contests at centre bounces and stoppages. The ruckman is one of the most important players on the field. They are often key to coaching strategy and winning centre clearances which result in the most goal kicking opportunities.
  The role of the ruckman in Australian rules is similar to a lock in rugby union contesting a line-out. The key differences are that with the exception of boundary throw-ins, the ball is almost always thrown straight up high into the air rather than horizontally, so in this respect, the ruckman is similar to a basketball centre. The ruckman needs to be able to control the ball by palm tap or fist with outstretched arms. Unlike rugby, the ruckman must rely on his vertical leap and is not assisted by teammates. Australian football rucking often involves vigorous mid-air collisions with the opposing ruckman.
  With no offside or knock on rules, the ruckman can tap the ball in any direction.
context_section_description: Using tandem ruckmen, often known as third man up, is a tactic often employed around the ground as a set play strategy.  As only one ruckman from each side can be used at centre bounces, this tactic is restricted to boundary throw-ins and bounces.  It involves a second tall or high jumping player from one of the sides contesting the ruck, typically when the taller ruckmen are wrestling at ground level or consistently ineffective in getting a clear tap away.  The tactic has become especially popular during the 2015 season.  It often results in a thump forward to keep the ball moving towards goal, as it is difficult for the often shorter player contesting the ruck to aim a tap.  This is because they are not able to be assisted by lifting and can often be put off balance in the air when jumping over the top of ruckmen.  Additionally, by committing an extra player to the ruck contest, there is one less player from that team around the contest - though this can also have the effect of opening up space for more creative roving players.  Some key position players are designated secondary ruckmen for boundary throw-ins and will sometimes be used in tandem ruckwork.
  During kick-ins the ruckman can sometimes be a designated target.  With extra height it is difficult for opposition players to take marks against them and they are an easier target to spot in a cluster.
  In a contested situation, the ruckman may be instructed to bring the ball to ground, so that the smaller rovers or crumbers on their team know to attack the ball from front and square position to gain possession.
  Ruckmen are sometimes dropped into the goal square during an attack on goals from outside scoring distance.  This way they become a tall marking target if a player decides to bomb a kick into the goal square.  The term resting ruckman is used when a ruckman is played in the forward line between stints in the ruck.  As the ruck requires almost constant running, resting in the forward line gives the ruckman much needed breaks and with their heights they do not need to run or lead as much into space to contest marks when the ball does reach the forward line.
caption: A ruck contest after an umpire ball-up during a women's game. Players surround the contest, waiting for the tap.
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