Openside/Blindside Flanker Jobs

Question
I was able to try flanker (openside) at practice this thursday ( nov.1), and let me say, it was amazing. This is DEFINITELY where I want to be. The only thing I'm not sure of, is the difference between openside and blindside.

I know that the blinside binds on the side closest to the touchline, and vice versa. I also know, from playing openside at practice, that after the scrum breaks off, he/she should go straight out for the fly-half (on oppenent's scrum) and be the first ones to support play. But, during this time, what does the blindside do? What is his/her job as soon as the scrum breaks? How far out should the blindside be able to go during open play?

Thanks for your time!

Answer
Hello Geoff,

I am VERY sorry for the delay in getting back to you. New job.

You are correct about the duties of an openside, frankly a blind side has much the same task to do but has further to run to get there. Blind side does have the advantage of being on the other side of the scrum from the ref so you can be sneaky and break off a little early to grab the half back. Look under the scrum for the half back to grab the ball and go like a sprinter out of the blocks ( actually a good drill for a flanker to practice)

The blind side comes into his own on defense. Protecting the blind side and harassing the opposition. Backs.

I had a season at blind side and is was great. Frankly it is the "poor cousin" of open side and has less glory associated with it. Not a tight forward and not a back the blind side is very much an individual in a team. Think "sniper" as opposed to a platoon. A critical role but sort of separate from the team.

During open play your job on attack is to support the ball carrier. You will want to get with your number 8 and openside. Assign areas of the field that you "own". Example the #8 protects and supports the area in the first 5 meters of the filed around the scrum, open side the next 5 meters and the blind side the out 5 meters.

On attack run deep arcs, skip the first phase ball (that is the #8's area) skip the second phase breakdown (the opensides) and arc in to join the 3rd phase either to take a pass from a back, strip the ball off a back in the tackle or  
be the first to rescue the ball from a tackle situation.

Further to run, more work and less glory - see what  I mean but huge opportunity!

Good luck and have fun.