Lock to Number 8 Position.

Question
Hey i am 13 and i curently play lock i was wondering if number 8 would be a good position for me as i am a bit of a brute i make lots of ball carries and line breaks and do lots of tackles. How can i be more of a number 8 player and how can i improve my fitness as i only get 10.5 on the beep test i would like to reach around the 12 mark. I play lock and as i am a bit taller than everyone i find it harder to tackle people is there a better technique that i can use to get lower and drive harder?



Thanks in advance

Answer
Hi Josh sorry for taking so long to get back to you.

It is hard to say if you would work out at #8 because I would need to see you actually play but go for it. Announce to your coach that that is what you would like to do and ask what he would like to see you doing to make the position for your team.

Fitness is a tough one. I always suggest talking with t a proper trainer - see if there is an athletics club or coach you can talk to. Simple sprint training in a good start with 3 to 4 sets of 5 reps sprints. No more that 30 feet. Warm up really well and do your first set at 75% then 2 at 90 then 2 at 100%

Stretch and warm down well.

To mix it up find a slight incline. Explosive training is also good. Two footed jumps in reps of 5, 3 sets. One leg hops the same. Use that as your warm up. Find sand as well for sprint training it can really help you push yourself.

Again find an athletics coach to ask about training.


As for tackling:

Below is a past answer to a similar question. If you focus on the line of the players shorts / jersey or the string of their shorts then size will not be an issue. If a player is really big the letting them go buy and tackling from behind and sliding down the legs will bring them down. A firm grasp asound the waiste then drop down with all your might while squeezing their legs together.

Your head should go to the side that is "out of the way". If the player is running at you going to the left you head should go to the right side and vice versa. If the guy is running directly at you it would be best to put you head on the side the guy hold the ball but really don't over think it on that angle. The big thing is to drive your should into the guys guy or lower sternum.

When tackling from the side the rule of thumb is "cheak to cheak" face to butt.

Here is a simple method for improving your tackle. When a player is moving towards you (or vice versa) do not look at their body as a whole, instead focus on the point of center between their hips. Often a coach will tell you to "eyeball" the "string of their shorts". This focus will allow your brain to only register the runner's center of gravity: the "mass" of their torso. No matter what a runner's arms, legs or head does the torso is usually stagnant.

Keep you feet active, stay on your toes either moving towards them or running in place. Close the space between you and the runner swiftly but stay in control. This is to limit the runner's options as much as possible. If you over commit to running into the tackle the player has a better chance of stepping you.

Focus on the "string of their pants" and drop your center of gravity to set up the hit. Aim the shoulder to that string.

so summarize:

1. keep the feet active "live"
2. focus on the "string of their pants"
3. drive the shoulder through the "string of their pants"
4. wrap the player up and drive with the legs in short steps.

Don't try to pick the player up, this is dangerous and will probably get you penalized. Drive hard with the shoulder and legs