hooker tips

Question
alright m8..im a 16 n about 5,7 n weigh about 10 n a half stone so quite small n i play for my rugby club at the psotion of flanker..I kknow everything about being a flanker but this yr im moving to the position of hooker for my school at senior level..i have the weight i just need some expert advice particually in scrums as i know what a hookers job is lineouts....do u think u can help me m8?

Answer
Hi Aaron,

I am putting a previously answered question below. Also I suggest using Utube to look up "scrum  technique" and "building the scrum" there is some good stuff there.

Look through my old answers for anything about scrums and props too. As a hooker it is important to know what the props do.

Here is the previous answer:


Subject: Hooker help

Question:
Hi. Just a line to see if you can help. I play hooker and was wondering if you have any tips. I'm fine with line-outs and in the contact situation and my ball handling is good but I'm having problems in the scum,getting pressured too many times and finding hooking the ball difficult on my put-in.

Answer:
Hi Scott

I will put some links to help but in the scrum it sounds like you need to utilize your props more.

Start with the binding. You need to create more room for you to hook. Your tight head needs to bind first. He should stand directly behind you, reach around you and get a firm grip and then step out to your right and pop his shoulder. He should be square to the opposition but his hips, shoulders and feet need to all be ahead of you while having a tight bind. You might even have your hips on a slight angle to the left which is ok.

Your loose head then bind up , just the same method but to your right, only the loose heads should be slightly "behind" you. His feet behind your, hips with should well popped out and a tight grip. His feet need to be just a little wider than his shoulders to allow the ball through.

The loose head has the job of trying to push the opposite tighthead up and keep a bigger tunnel. On the engage the tight head needs to lead in and with all this you will have a better angle and more room to hook.

Try hooking with you right leg, if you aren't already.

You need to have your hips angled towards the whole/ ball with your right foot in front of your left. Let the props do the pushing you focus on the hook so try to keep loose.

Strike at the ball, don't wait for it to come to you. If you pick up one or two penalties getting it right in a game so be it. Strike hard and strike fast, it should be a quick aggresive move, like a quick punch.

You may want to have your half back do a quick put in. So he puts the ball in as soon as the scrum comes together. Tell him not to muck around and get it in quick and to push the envelope as much as possible to get the ball to your feet. Again if he picks up one or two penalties pushing the envelope getting it wright so be it.

Back to you Thomas:

Take the answer about an apply to your current hooking. The thing is you need to reverse it all on the oppositions' put in. You loose head prop acts like a tight head and your tight head acts like a loose head. You need to have your hips swivelled towards the right and try to strike with your left leg.

Also here are some links on scrumming for you:
Scrummaging:

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

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