what it takes to be the best

Question
Ive been playing tight head prop for the past four years and im now 22yrs old, i just wanted to find out if size really matters when it comes to my position coz im about 1.84m tall and i weigh in at around 115kgs or is it more about getting the proper technique?i really want to excel and be a professional rugby player someday.

Answer
Hi Fidel,sorry for taking so long to get back to you!

I suggest going over all my old answered questions and looking for scrum related subjects to read. Also I have provided some links below.

Here is a link of technique  / body position which you should treat as your gospel:

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

Also there are some great pointers on UTube. If you go to UTube and search using the key words: "building the scrum" you will find a great set of videos about scrum technique originally from www.rugbydevelopment.com Get the whole team to view them.

Keep looking on Utube for video by Mike Cron and other professional coaches about scrum technique.

You are on the way with regards to size. If you are 115kgs and that is mostly muscle and you are fit then you are fine. There are professional props smaller but not too many bigger. Out of the best professional props the biggest I see them get is 120kgs. There are a couple of professional props bigger but I am yet to see the best of the best be above 120. You could be the exception if you work very hard.

What I am saying is that once above above 110kgs of fit muscle the key thing is technique.

A very strict disciplined focus is needed at every scrum and line out for your technique. To be a truly good prop you must also be fast and mobile around the field. Your work rate is required to be high in mauls and rucks. You need to be good on defense and on attack. Not just running the ball up but being able to set up a clean ruck or maul or even making a good pass to a team mate.

Each week pick a different factor of your game to evaluate and improve on. Don't just focus on the scrum.

There are many examples of props who are great scrummagers who do not make he starting team because their skills and work rate around the field is not good.

Study the game - what the roll of each position is and how the overall game is played. It will make your game knowledge better and help you on defense and attack.

Eat well - train hard, work on flexibility, get proper rest and sleep.

Finally the thing that only you can decide. Is your mental strength up to it. If at any time you think "this is too hard" you have a choice to make - to overcome and succeed or to quit. Sometime you will be tired and not want to train, get out of bed in the morning to go for a run or you may be disappointed in your team mates if the game is not going well. It is your choice to get up, get going and lead by example to show you want it more than anyone, even yourself.

My personal approach is to not give away your feelings when being a prop. To have the same cold expression on your face at the end of the game as the start while playing a high intensity game is more intimidating to the opposition than seeing you go from high emotion to low.

If you apply focus, discipline, hard work, play, study, and fun to your rugby in equal measure you will do well. The same goes for life.