Ruck (Australian rules football)

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 ruck is similar to a basketball centre.

Before a bounce down or ball up, rucks confer with the onballers (rovers and ruck-rovers) to pre-determine the direction of the tap so that they can position themselves to best receive it to the team's advantage.

[4] When a ruck beats their opponent by contacting the ball, it is called a hit out and measured as a statistic and performance indicator of effective ruckwork.

As a result of the high level of physical contact of clashing with opponents in the air, many rucks have large physiques or bulk up to prevent injury.

As well, due to the use of knees when jumping, many rucks wear protective thigh and shin padding, whereas players in other positions rarely do.

Players using this style will deftly palm the ball directly down to the advantage of a smaller teammate or rover, often making their hitouts the most effective.

Sometime this type of ruck is not as tall, as big, or effective at hit outs, but may possess a high leap and greater athletic endurance.

Typically, the bulkier player uses brute force (and a style often referred to as "crash and bash") to take their opponent out of the contest and punch the ball forward, often going for distance and penetration into their attacking zone.

The early 2000s saw a brief revival of the style as the addition of third and fourth interchange players by 1998 enabled sides to field multiple rucks.

This neutralised the advantage of this type of ruckman who was no longer able to outbody their opponents, with players must now required to maximise their jump and reach if they are to win the tap.

While some such as Brendon Lade were able to successfully adapt, the rule changes helped end the careers of the likes of Keating[10] and many others and saw a generation of taller and athletic mobile rucks dominate.

It often results in a thump forward to keep the ball moving towards goal, as it is difficult for the shorter player contesting the ruck to aim a tap.

However the AFL's introduction of Gaelic Football's quick kick-in rule in 2006 tended to favour shorter passes to smaller players over set plays with high kicks involving the ruck.

This strategy is particularly effective when playing in wet weather where the slippery ball and tighter contests make it more difficult for the ruck to take clean possession.

The new rules favour taller players and those with high vertical leaps, and many mobile rucks now find it difficult to contest.

Designed to make the game faster and more attractive for television viewers, this new rule had the unintended effect of many professional rucks no longer being able to contest boundary throw-ins.

Due to initial practice phase during the JLT Community Series, many free kicks were given against players who accidentally came into contact with the ball, especially when they were not watching the contest.

As a direct result of this and other similar incidents, the AFL clarified the rule, so that if the field umpire concluded that a player genuinely contacted the ball accidentally, a play on would be called.

[citation needed] Examples of modern-day rucks in the Australian Football League include Max Gawn, Brodie Grundy, Nic Naitanui and Todd Goldstein.

Another non-traditional recruit, Mike Pyke (Canada rugby union, US Montauban and Sydney), has enjoyed somewhat more AFL success than most of the aforementioned basketballers.