Broken Bones

Question
I play hooker for my college team in Buffalo, NY. Last semester we were playing a small 7's kind of game within our own team. I picked up the ball and ran and broke through the defense, and a winger came from behind me and wrapped my arms up and tripped me. I fell over trying to get into position to present the ball, I didn't have too much body control when I landed...so I ended up snapping my collar bone. It has since healed and I will be playing next semester again.
Since I play hooker, I'm wondering if I am going to have problems on engagement, and if there is anything I could do about it. Possibly doing some kinds of lifts to build the muscle on my shoulders, I'm not sure what kinds of lifts to do. Or mabey I should try to get out at loose-head prop since it was my left shoulder. I was also wondering if there was anything I could do to improve my body position when I get tackled.

Answer
I am not a doctor but from what I know the bone will heal together harder at the point of the break. Ask your doctor.

As for muscle work: consult your doctor - tell him which movements you are know weak in and ask for a referral to a physical therapist or for him to give you a routine. A properly qualified gym trainer could also be the way to go.

As for the scrum make sure you get to pre-season training and take a few goes at the scrum machine on your own and them with your props without the locks to get a fell for it. Start gentle and slowly with you on your onw then work it up to the whole srum at full impact.

A good weight program and a stretching routine on the shoulder, back and chest will keep you flexible.

I will not prescribe weight  / fitness routines via e-mail because no trainer is that good. You need to inform your doctor and trainer what you want and ask how to get there.

Stay at hooker - loose head props have a lot to do with their left arm - wrestle with the tight head, get a firm grip or if the scrum collapses the left arm can sometimes end up with the weight of the pack on it, snapping even a healthy arm like a twig.

I might suggest that this is a confidence thing. Get strong, get fit and get to training. Talk with your coach and props about the need to ease into heavy scrum contact - that shows professionalism and maturity. Hiding an injury and charging into a game only lets you and the team down and in the long run is good for nothing.

You'll get there, just use your doctor and team to do it.