codes

Question
hi its me again what i ment was at a line-out or before passing the ball of the ground u call out something like

( fat boxers 2 )

which means the ball is going to the fly half missing the centres nd full back runs up to recieve the ball.

but im stuck with them i can't seem 2 get them right when i shout out a code that means pass to the fly-half i end up not but then when i'm not supposed to pass to the fly-half i do pass to him

HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

thank you kindely

kyle

Answer
OK Kyle,

I can only guess a couple of things as I do not really know you. But I have a couple of things to go by.

1: it appears your issues are not physical. You seem to be able to pass, catch, kick well enough. The problem seems to come with the mental side of things.

2. I think you are rushing yourself and maybe there is not enough preparation or focus on execution.

I can't help but notice your letters to me are a little broken up with regard to spelling, punctuation and grammar. This tells me a lot. Like it or not if one thing in life is not working out other aren't either. This is not to bash you. It is positive criticism, I mean to help.

Rugby is like anything else in life you need to think it through, plan and focus on the execution of the task at hand.

Just like writing a letter you need to think about what you are going to do, plan it, do it then check it.

The two issues are hand in hand. First you get to recognize the problem and be honest with yourself. Don't beat yourself up. We all make mistakes. Mistakes help us learn but only when we choose to learn from them. You have taken a big step in asking a stranger to help and admitted you need help. That is brave and adult-like.

Believe in yourself, only you can do the work and you must believe it is going to work. Once you do something right that is it, you know you have done it - that is your evidence. The work is believing you can repeat the task at will.

Next: the issue of following a process. Everything in life that is done successfully is successful because there is a process to it. Random luck and raw skill will only get you so far. Even the best professional athletes have a process. When you are tired and hurt your process will help you get through.

It might not sound fun but you need to keep a journal of your rugby. Every game, practice and play. Make sure it is neat and with no errors. Errors in your journal will reflect in your game. Take the time with everything in life to do it properly.

Set goals for each training, game and the season and for your rugby career.

Don't over load yourself. Pick one thing each training, game and season you want to achieve. Set realistic long term goals as well. If you want to play for the national team fine but a worthy goal could be to play over seas or for the top club team.

Write down your goals and write down what will be needed to achieve those goals: have a plan. A plan could be to enlist the one on one help of a player or coach, extra fitness, reading up on rugby books, looking at games, filming your own games and viewing that. No plan = no goal. Have fun with it and involve others.

Take time before each training, game and season to go over your journal for what you improved on last time, what worked, what didn't work, what you want to work on this time and what will help you get your goal achieved. Then after each session is completed review again. Put down your thoughts and feelings about the session. Celebrate what went well and note what didn't work so you can try something else.

Write down the plays / codes you need to know with pictures drawn to help your mind "see" how they work. Write done your on field duties for every game - what does the coach expect from you?

Get your mind "on the game" Before a game take time to quietly review your notes just like an exam. Visualize in your mind yourself succeeding in every duty. Visualization is real and works.

Make this journal a daily event. The same concept works with any issues you might have in life.

So remember:

1. Recognize areas of weakness and honestly acknowledge them.

2. Set a realistic goals that would show improvement in those areas. Write your goals down. Visualize yourself succeeding. Spend time every day doing this.

3. Create a plan of attack to reach your goals. Execute that plan to the letter. Set a "by when" time for each goal that is realistic. Ask for help, involve others.

4. If a goal is met celebrate it, if it is not met work to see what when wrong. Admit if you did your best and if you did understand that in rugby as in life things can't always go your way, all you can do is learn more from it.

5. Have fun, don't be scared to make a mistake. Taking a risk is ok if you followed 1,2,3 and 4. Mistakes suck, but not learning from them and letting them drag you down sucks even more.

Finally on the field, take your time. The half back is like a second captain on the field. The forwards need you to direct them (even if they do not admit it) the back line needs your clear communication. Make them all wait for you, don't let yourself get hurried buy team mates.  Better to be over confident than to be too quiet.

Pick a good half back to follow as a mentor, watch all his games and try to emulate his play. George Gregan is the best (and I am a New Zealander!)

Keep your journal(s) and try to have someone film your games. Save this stuff. When you have kids it will be a surprise how much you know.

Also: you can't succeed on your own. Enroll team mates, coaches and family in helping you meet your goals and do the same for them. Rugby is a team game just like life.

Put work into execution in all things, take pride in a job well done no matter the result in all areas of life.

Have fun mate. Let me know how it goes. I want to see that journal at season end, full!