switching position to wing

Question
Hello,
I'm Andrew, i play high school rugby in West Coast of the USA. I'm 5'10" 165 pounds. This is my second season playing. I played flanker all last season but my coach is moving me to wing because of my speed. What concepts do i need to know about playing the wing position? Do i need to be able to kick?
Thanks,
Andrew

Answer
Wing is not my strong point but I will do my best.

I'll start with defense: mark your opposite wing. Use the side line as a tool keep on his inside so you can run him off the field. Don't get sucked in too much a good fast wing could exploit that. This is the most common wing defense and really just take experience to learn When you are on attack remember the other guy will try to do the same to you so you have to play a bit of cat and mouse  to get a clean lie down the field..

On attack:Work with your 1st 5 or center, if your half back has a good kick use that too. If the opposition is coming up towards you fast on their defense get the half back, 1st 5 or center to kick an angled kick up and over the attackers towards your side line, you need to have a call or signal for this. get a good run up and get to the ball at the time it is about to land. The opposition will be caught off guard and have to turn to chase you while you have a full run on.

Watch a lot of rugby on TV. View a lot of game tape of your self if possible.

It is important that more work be done with your coach to teach you. Ask him to make time after practice or ask him to provide learning materials or coaching phone calls to get you educated.

Google and use You Tube "Wing, Rugby" and "Rugby Tactics" and read up on-line.

Also a big help for you is going to be tackling. A smaller guy can be a surprisingly good tackler. Usually guys will take you for granted due to your size so use it to your advantage and hit them hard. The harder your hit and the less you hesitate the better tackler will be.

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

The last thing I will say is run and run hard. A winger is supposed to be a try scorer first. so get the ball and run. Run around the guy, through the guy, over the guy, whatever be creative but get that ball and run as hard as you can directly straight towards the try line. Score tries!

Good luck and have fun.