Right, I have an idea on how to sort out rucks.
Better animations in general
Players can start to join as soon as the tackle is made, not once the tackler stands up.
B to add players
If you have a 1v0, 2v0 or 3v0 and press X
65% steal ball
25% you win penalty
10% concede penalty (off feet animation)
Your opponent can release the ball by pressing a button, this leads to 100% chance of getting the ball for the other team.
If you have a 1v1 and press Y,
20% chance to push them over and then whoever has a closer secondary player will pick up the ball.
15% chance of Penalty (animation of an illegal clearout ie. tip/high etc)
60% chance nothing happens and an animation plays of an attempted clear out (partial lift of attackers leg etc)
5% chance of holding on penalty in your favour
If you have a 2v1 and press Y,
30% chance to push them over and one of the 2 players will collect the ball and start a ruck in the opposite direction
10% chance of Penalty (animation of an illegal clearout ie. tip/high etc)
50% chance nothing happens and an animation plays of an attempted clear out (partial lift of attackers leg etc)
10% chance of holding on penalty in your favour
If you have a 3v1 and press Y,
60% chance to push them over and one of the 3 players will collect the ball and start a ruck in the opposite direction
10% chance of Penalty (animation of an illegal clearout ie. tip/high etc)
5% chance nothing happens and an animation plays of an attempted clear out (partial lift of attackers leg etc)
25% chance of holding on penalty in your favour
If you have a 3v2 and press Y,
22% chance to push them over and one of the 3 players will collect the ball and start a ruck in the opposite direction
10% chance of Penalty (animation of an illegal clearout ie. tip/high etc)
60% chance nothing happens and an animation plays of an attempted clear out (partial lift of attackers leg etc)
8% chance of holding on penalty in your favour
If you have a 3v3 or 2v2
5% chance to push them over and one of the 3 players will collect the ball and start a ruck in the opposite direction
5% chance of Penalty (animation of an illegal clearout ie. tip/high etc)
85% chance nothing happens and an animation plays of an attempted clear out (partial lift of attackers leg etc)
5% chance of holding on penalty in your favour
If you don’t press Y, committing players in defense just slows the ball down
In attack, as you approach the ruck you can make whoever is approaching just pass the ball (if it’s uncontested) by holding pass, otherwise the first player there will always commit to the ruck automatically. Press B to add more and hope no one steals the ball before you get there.
The key point is if you press a button, some kind of animation happens, this makes it clear you’re doing something. I think an issue with large parts is it’s very unclear if anything has been completed or achieved.
All the percentages are assuming players with the same attributes/sizes etc. they’re also plucked out my head, so won’t be perfect.
Sorry for the wall of text.