switching sides of the scrum

Question
I was recently told that i would be moved from tighthead prop to loosehead prop on my high school rugby team. I am having a tough time with the change and was wondering if you have any tips that could make it easier

Answer
Prop is like golf you must work on your technique a lot even to see a small gain.

Time will improve but study of the art via tape of professionals and comparing tape of your own games and training will help. Get a team mate or friend to tape your games and training with focus only on you.


There are a lot of questions like your I have answered so please go through my old answers as a source of study, I highly suggest the tackling answers too.

Below is an example of an old answer which will help look up the suggested links as they are VERY useful. Print them out and give to your team mates. For a loose head the relationship you have with your lock and flanker is important from how they bind and how / when / what angle they push.

Subject: Loosehead prop
Question: Hi nick, my name is graham harvey, just wondering if you could help me.

i read in one of your answers on allexperts.com that you have some useful links/pdfs on scrum technique.

i'm 18 and i've just started playing prop for my Veterinary college. Basically i'm trying to increase my understanding of good forward play so that i can improve my playing skill and help out my team. i am especially interested in scrum technique and any tips and tricks that you can give me on how to get the upper hand.

any help or information you have is a major bonus to me

graham


Answer: Hi Graham

Here are the links I suggest, the first one is the better I believe but overall they are good. You may need to "cut and paste" the links...

Scrummaging:

http://www.coachingrugby.com/rugby/coaching/unitskills/scrum/buildingthescrum.ht...

http://www.usarugby.org/media/EDocs/scrum.pdf


http://www.texasyouthrugby.com/download/748/docs/Building_the_scrum.pdf

All technique: Scrum, Running up the Ball, Tackling

http://www.rugbysmart.co.nz/plan/technique.html

The first article can be applied to more than just the scrum, this body position should be applied to rucks/ mauls, tackling etc.

The technique is 90% of the part of propping but the most important is the 10% that is attitude.

Scrum time requires intense focus. It may be considered a "restart of play" by the ref or the backs but the whole pack, flankers included need to be present and totally focussed on the task at hand- the scrum.

This is worth a mention at training and prior to the game and prior to each scrum!

You as a loose head have the job of creating as big a "whole" for your hooker to work in. Your job is to "lift" the opposition tighthead up so your hooker can strike the ball easier. Also you need to provide a channel between your legs for the ball to go through. The tight head will be trying to pull you down.

Think of the scrum from the hookers point of view for a second and you will understand how his job is made easier by the loose head doing his job well.

You want want to aim for a solid straight back, low body position, eyes up. Aim for the opposition props groin with your shoulder, EVERY time. He will have to change his technique to come to you. Make him change. Your shoulder may slam into his head, hip, groin, shoulder and be uncomfortable and sore during and after the game. Frankly it should look like someone has been playing "slaps" on your right shoulder after game. If you want a "gentlemans" engage you will be muscled by bigger players and also smaller props who have to work to make up for their smaller size.

Try to grip your left are solidly on the oppositions props pants line. Attempt to pull his ass out from the scrum and thus through him off balance.

After the initial hit attempt to drive the other prop back and up. Don't lift, drive with the legs, little steps. If the prop is good you might only get an inch or two, but that is enough.

Work with your lock and flanker to push on you hard. Your lock should be using you as a ram. If you have a good big lock sometime all you need to do is keep a good body position and keep stepping forward.

View a lot of rugby on TV and really focus on the props. It looks like a nice clean engage but it really isn't.

Also don't get too in love with the scrum machine that is a good tool for timing, and combinations but nothing can replace live scrummaging. Get another team in the club to practice with you if you don't have enough reserves and take it seriously. Practice like you'll train.

Give no quarter and make the other props job hell.

Have fun.