Coping with older, stronger players

Question
Hi Nick,

I asked you a while ago (in September I think) about playing 7 at school despite being a lock. Well I've taken your advice and am enjoying playing 7 and learning a lot from it.

However I am struggling to cope with the extra strength that opposition players have, most of whom are 17 or 18 whilst I'm only 15. This is particularly apparent in the rucks, sometimes in tackles, and also with my ball carrying.

To explain the problem further at rucks I am finding even when I hit with good technique opposition players can clear me out far too easily. Do you have any tips about how to ruck more effectively, particularly when you are smaller.

With tackling I'm mostly Ok, though I tend to go in too high which I don't seem to be able to stop, do you have any advice about hitting low?

The other problem with tackling is when defending near our line I lack the strength to stop players, so try instead to get under them and prevent them from grounding the ball. However my older teammates see this as ducking out the way, and I get criticized for it. Is there any technique to stop attackers in this situation that works well even if you are small? (I find that normal tackling technique doesn't)

And finally ball carrying. There seems to be a desire in our team for all the forwards to be used as crashballers, which initially sounds OK (Though fairly pointless for a small 7). However when I try to do something different, to fool the defence, such as a dummy, sidestep, or even offload I am criticized. To me it seems very limited just to run into the opposition, with no thoughts of even increasing the game's tempo. Would you agree with this, or am I being too fanciful.

On a lightly different issue, in lineouts what should I be doing when at the tail. (Not lifting or jumping) When I asked my coach he seemed a bit vague.

Thank you for reading this question. Any advice you have would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Eoin

P.S I抎 be interested to hear what you think (as a New Zealander) of Ireland.


Answer
Hi Eoin

With regards to ruck do your best to come in from directly behind the ball and push from there. If you are on the side of a ruck you will get cleared out. On the flip side if you are heading into a ruck and see an opposition player on the side of a ruck or maul the hit them hard in the ribs and clear them out.

As you are smaller you might want to get crafty and get under a maul in an effort to ferret out the ball. Brain over brawn.

Size is size mate right now don't play a size game. Play to your own strengths. If you can get around a guy via a dummy or side step the do it. Who cares about runnnig into walls when you can walk though open doors. The name of the game is to get closer to the try line or over it not to commit to contact that gets you tackled or looses possession. As long as you don't run sideways or away from support then keep things lively.

If the guys in your team want to play the straight up the guts style of boof head rugby that is one dimensional then let them. Eventually that style looses out to smarter players and teams. If a team or player wants to keep a game slow they are either unfit or lack the skill and speed to lift their game.

Tackling:

You 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 should into the guys guy 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. 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 overcommit 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

At the back of the lineout if you are not lifting or jumping then you are defending the line from invaders on defense or making sure you catch the ball if your team mate drops it or the hooker over throws. Always face the opposition. Body towards the opposition, head turned and eyes on the ball in your throw in.

On their throw in keep and eye on the opposition jumpers be ready to announce loudly any fake back they might do. Attempt to spoil their ball and try to get an arm on the ball to wrap it up. Keep and eye out for any loose ball and if you snatch it up go for a good run with it.