Second row/ Lock

Question
Hi, my name is Ronan, i am 17, i live in London and i play second row for a local team.

I am a second row and am 6 foot, four inches tall. My problem is that i am only 11 stone.

I am a light player and in previous seasons i got through on my aggression. We have moved up a league and I also play for my clubs colts (18-20 year olds).

I am finding it extremely hard to tackle opposition fowards and centres, giving the scrum power and mauling.

I noticed this and developed my skills elsewhere, i am the go to guy in line outs and an very good on my rucking and passing.

I do not want to play in the backs as there is not as much contact at my level and have always been a starting second row at my club. my position is being threatend by the substitute second rows and i want to keep my name on the starting team sheet.

can you help me in a way of gaining some weight or muscle, because everytime i try i get nowhere. or a special tackling methond to help me in games.

thankyou, ronan.

Answer
Hi Ronan,

Get your head straight and work on self confidence. Play your strengths as you have been (good work on that). At 17 you are just a few years away from full physical maturity. You might just be a little bit of a late bloomer. You have the height which is good. The weight really needs to be worked on during the off season.

At the end of this season get a trainer. My advice is to cut out the long runs during the off season. They are counter productive. Nothing more than 30 minutes  or 3 miles. No more than 2 or 3 runs a week.

The key thing is a consistent weight workout set by a properly qualified trainer who works with you on technique, setting goals and keeping an eye on progress. Consistency is key.

The off season is 6 - 8 months long in that time with the right diet, work outs (they need to be altered every 4-6 weeks to stop platoes) and REST you grow in your sleep ask body builders.)

Only start to build up your aerobic fitness about 5 weeks prior to the first practice of the season and use pre season to get rugby fit.

Do this and by 19 / 20 you will be a big fella and keep it up into your mid 20's (when a lock just starts to peak) and you will be a monster.

Always keep up balls skills no matter what you do.

Tackling:

The aim is to make a tackle to stop the play/player. Drive in hard and execute the tackle forcefully and wrap the player up well with your arms. The game of rugby moves fast enough that this will be enough to give your team the advantage.

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 then letting them go buy and tackling from behind and sliding down the legs will bring them down. A firm grasp around the waist 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 shoulder into the guys gut or lower sternum.

When tackling from the side the rule of thumb is "cheek to cheek" 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 or core. No matter what a runner's arms, legs or head does the torso is usually stagnant.

Keep your 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. Bend at the knees, eyes up, straight back, hips lower than your shoulders like a prop in a scrum. Aim the shoulder to that string."Punch" into the players core with your shoulder and wrap the player up with your arms. Drive hard with little punchy steps of your legs.

To 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

This link to UTube is VERY good:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MQJ39bbq2uU