http://styledpoint.com/blog/ribbon-customization-changing-placement-look-and-behavior/
Here is a breakdown of the essential controls laid out to better understand how it all works:
1 . <SPRibbon PlaceholderElementId=”RibbonContainer”>
2 . <SharePoint:SPRibbonPeripheralContent Location=”TabRowLeft”>
3 . <SharePoint:SiteActions>
4 . <asp:ContentPlaceHolder id=”PlaceHolderGlobalNavigation”>
<SharePoint:PopoutMenu ID=”GlobalBreadCrumbNavPopout”>
<SharePoint:PageStateActionButton>
5 . <SharePoint:SPRibbonPeripheralContent Location=”TabRowRight”>
2 . <SharePoint:SPRibbonPeripheralContent Location=”TabRowLeft”>
3 . <SharePoint:SiteActions>
4 . <asp:ContentPlaceHolder id=”PlaceHolderGlobalNavigation”>
<SharePoint:PopoutMenu ID=”GlobalBreadCrumbNavPopout”>
<SharePoint:PageStateActionButton>
5 . <SharePoint:SPRibbonPeripheralContent Location=”TabRowRight”>
To move the pieces, we want to the correct zone so we simply move the following areas:
