General Flanker stuff

Question
Hi, i'm a 16 year old flanker(openside) and have been playing it for a while but suffered from a bad back injury  about a year ago, since then nothing has really been the same so i have 3 resquests could you give me any advice on strengthening my tackling which used to be quite strong but after the injury just wasn't the same, also could you tell me how to bulk up for the position and lastly any advice on ball winning abilities

thanks

Answer
Hi Michael,

I will answer the tackling question last by pasting in another question and answer that might help both tackling and around the field play for you.

As for bulking up I personally do not give advice on that kind of thing via a site like this. First I would need to deal with a person one on one and in person to gage what needs to be done, goals, ability, age (I feel 16 is too young to do heavy weights) and much more. Secondly Michael I am not technically qualified or trained to give advice on bulking up. You need a qualified trainer or coach to work with who is an EXPERT in weight training, fitness training, rugby fitness, health and diet.Especially at your age where you body still has 3-5 years of growing and bone hardening to do.

Ball winning is a skill best learned by doing. You have to be very hungry for the ball and only experience can help teach you when to go in for the kill so to say. Experience is a fancy word for "made mistakes and learned" so don't be afraid of taking calculated risks. A flanker by nature has to push the envelope. Strip the ball from a player in the tackle, when they are on the ground. Be aggressive physically and really rip that ball out of the opposition's grasp. Watch a lot of rugby on TV and you will see this in pro players.

Subject:    Tackling
Question:    Hi Nick,
I'm 14 and i Live in Australia. Currently I've been playing in the front row (hooker and tight head prop) so I'm a bigger guy. I've been finding that in the games I'm not getting into the Rucks and Mauls, I'm just standing at the back and i don't no why. At training I'm always first in there etc. I'm also finding that when someone is running at me / past me I'm never going in for the tackle. Last year i played in the A's for my year level and i really enjoyed it, but this year I've been placed in the B's and I'm really not enjoying it. Last week the A's starting tighthead wasn't able to play, and i wasn't selected because of my speed (even though the coach said I'm best in the set pieces <scrums and lineouts>) aswell so any tips on gaining speed would be great aswell.
Thanks in advance,
Daniel

Answer:    Hi Daniel, I sense a confidence issue but I could be wrong.

I suggest really getting into the pre-game. If you can get some up-beat music that inspires you and listen to it prior to getting to the field on game day. Really focus on visualizing all kinds of difficult senarios  with you succeeding in each one. Challenge your mind to come up with harder and harder challenges and be realistic about how you over come them.

Warm up well. Make sure to get a good sweat going. If a buddy has a tackle pad or bag get hit to hold it and get physical with it. Some one one one scrumming. Really get as close as you can to contact in warm up in a controlled way.

Get into the game and don't think about what could go wrong just keep your eyes up and be present with the task at hand.

With mauls and rucks don't be too hard on yourself. If a maul is clearly won don't join it just to be another body. Get back and make your self available as a runner off the ruck. Get deep and communicate to your half back. He may use you as a decoy that is ok, it helps the team. If the maul is stagnent or going back  keep your eyes up and back straight, hit in on a hip like you would if you where a lock on a prop in a scrum. Use the same body position you do in scrums, eyes up, head up, back straight, squat use the legs.

Here is some information on tackling (from an Aussie coach I once had)  Read through the old answered questions I have done as well there is a lot of info there.

Questioner:   David
Category: Rugby
Private: No     View Published Answer

Subject: tackling
Question: have you got any tips on how to make a big open field tackle where you knock the opposition back? thanks

Answer: Hi David, I suggest going over all my old answered questions I have pasted one below to get you started, takling comes up a lot.

Subject:  tackling
Question:  QUESTION: Hey, I am a winger and I like to rush up at kick offs, how can I be sure that i will not miss tackle the opposition because I am always by myself when i get there?

ANSWER: Hi Addison

I have recently answered a question like this so I pasted it below, the same applies to you. In particular to wing: make sure you "shepherd" the player to the side line. If you miss the tackle there is a better chance the player will step out or get caught by a team mate in support.

"I suggest the simplest thing. 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.

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 to the "string of their pants"

As for fitness, get a trainer if you can or use the links provided and aim to educate yourself with books, magazines and shows as much as you can. If in doubt run. 30-40 minutes timed aim to run further in the same time. Maintain flexability with stretching even yoga in the off season. Press ups, lots of crunches! Squats with your own wright then a small friend on your shoulders. Get a trainer, join a gym and tell them your goals. Eat healthy.

Some links:

Srummaging:



My favourite: 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



All technique: Scrum, Running up the Ball, Tackling



http://www.rugbysmart.co.nz/plan/technique.html



http://www.rugbytactics.com/



http://www.talkrugbyunion.co.uk/



Skills and Technique, video:



http://www.joberrugby.com/



Fitness:



http://www.sport-fitness-advisor.com/in particular speed and power: http://www.sport-fitness-advisor.com/plyometric.html