number 8

Question
hi there am 17 years old playin number 8 for the seconds and i have always been  hugh impact player peeling of the scrum nd running the ball up but was wondering if there was anything i could do to get my agility up as am not always gawn to be able to just run into someone and get passed when i could easily out pace them.

cheers

Answer
Great question Christian,

I wish I could show you some simple things in person but I will do my best with text.

First of all you are right to start thinking about options other than "run into someone".

There is an old rugby saying "run into spaces not faces" it is a simple theory that can  (and is) applied on the field.

First of all you need to have a little "special teams" meeting with your flankers and half back. Especially your half back because it will be either you or him drawing the man and creating the space for each other.

Example you take the ball off the back of the scrum, take a solid run and pass off a short quick pass to your half back to put him in space for a better run.

That is the strategy now the tactic  / skill is to draw your man and stay in the game your self.

First try this: as you run towards the opposition tackler with ball in your right hand reach out to fend the  tackler with your free hand. Aim your fend to the tacklers left shoulder (from your view the shoulder on your right).

Rather than try to push the tackler away do this: take a firm grip of the tacklers should (really firm) and wrench him down and to your left as you do so circle around his back with your ball hand and off load a small pass to your support player. Depending on your position on the field and the direction your defense is coming from this can be reversed.

This is devastating off a well organized scrum but you will need to walk through it with your half back  (and flankers) to execute it.

Get hold of some rugby from TV - professional international players do this all the time.

Also practice your chip kick - a lot. If defense is coming up on your fast and flat you will need this tool to kick through or over the heads of the on coming defense. Practice  with a back line. A good #8 can kick.

It is hard to explain foot work for "side stepping" but try to step a little but be "on purpose" about it, again practice on live players.

Always keep your head up an scan for support play, listen for your team mates and really work to make a short "pop" up pass to your support. Breaks are more often made with a short pop pass than a long bullet pass. Read my previous question on "reading the game" and any of my questions on "tackling" as well.

And remember a #8 job is to make it over the gain line it doesn't have to be pretty. Do the simple things that you know first, if they work keep using them. If they are not working  then open up your bag of tricks.

It seems you are on the right path, the biggest problem for coaches with young players is to get them to think like you are.