Props Job

Question
Hi I am 17 years old and I have just started playing rugby in highschool for the first time. I live in Canada. I have been given the position of prop. I sort of know what I have to do in a scrum but I am not really sure what else I do after that. During practices we haven't really gone over positioning because most of the girls already know how to play. I really want to get out there and play but I don't want to do something wrong by being out of position.

Answer
Hi DJ, welcome to rugby.

An easy start, if you can: try to get a copy of "Rugby for Dummies", you can pick it up for about $10 on line.

I will give you a bunch of good links about rugby and rugby technique as well. I suggest you print out my favourite one and memorize it.

I also suggest going over all my old answered questions from the beginning specifically looking for prop-related subjects. Also I feel my tackling tips are good. I recently answered a prop-skill question just last week.

When starting out do not be in a rush to go too hard: make sure to get your technique right. I always suggest getting someone to video your training and games so you can see your technique and try to compare it against pro-players on tv or the internet.

I suggest you get with your coach and involve your mum and dad too. Prop is a serious position, it is very rewarding and a lot of fun but should be a position that gets a lot of attention at training to make sure you are doing it right and that you and your team mates are in the right position and have your grips correct. If not practiced properly and trained well prop can be a dangerous place to be.

It is your neck on the line DJ so speak up if you are not feeling you are getting the help you need.

I will give some links now but do go over my past questions and do ask me more questions via AllExperts, as many as you want, any time as time goes on so I can help with specific areas in the scrum. Lets call this "step one" on your way to being a really good prop.

the links:

Srummaging:

My favourite (print this one):  

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