what position should i play

Question
hi i have just turned 14 2 weeks ago and i am 6ft 1 i play for an under 15's age group club but also play for under 16's sometimes, i have played second row(lock) for a while but my coach has considered moving me to #8 i have played here before but dont know what is best for me i am a good ball winner and very aggresive i can run quite fast but not the fastest out of the folwards i am quite athletic and well built and can put in big hits and i am considering to try and go pro but i was wondering if you could help me choose a position and give me a few tips for this position

Answer
Hi David,

Sounds like you are an above average / good player. Based on your height and the fact that you are not the fastest forward (good on you for being honest with yourself) I suggest staying at lock with an eye to number 8.

The reason I say this is because you are still very young. You may grow another 5 inches and be better suited to lock or you might not and be better for number 8. In fact you could be a big fella by the time you are 21 and you might be better suited to be a prop.

My point is this - lock is a good position for mixing it up in the scrum while still being a good position to learn open field play and gamesmanship.

A good lock is a very big deal for a team. Look at the great players of the world: Eales, Meads, Whetton, Johnson they are legends in rugby and play locks and each was a captain of the team they played for.

A good lock is as good as a number 8 around the field but as important as a prop in the scrum. The you have the lineouts and kick offs. The lock is as busy as a hooker or a half back.


A good lock will move to #8 easier than a #8 moves to lock.

Work on your scrum technique with your prop. Communicate to him what you need and ask him what he needs. look at these links for body position:

Srummaging:

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/

Kick offs, you will want to work with your prop to either get him lifting or blocking for you, or tacking a tap from you and hitting it up.

Line outs: lots of practice, hooker, props as close to game simulation as you can.

Let me know if you have some more specific questions.

Have fun.