High Playing level

Question
QUESTION: Hi. I am determined to become better at rugby. I have been selected to go to county trials but i would like to have help and guidance on how to improve further. My main aim is to achieve a profesional level and i am very determined and willing to do anything to get there. I am achieving good grades in my academic studies and so have that set out. Please can you give me any help to achieve premiership level. I am a Flanker (6 or 7) at the age of 15 and really in need of help.

Thank you,
Tom Leigh

ANSWER: Hi Tom,
There are some key things that any young player can focus on. The basics are conditioning and ball skills. These are essential. I will assume you are on top of these basics and move onto the next (let me know if you are not)

1. Get a mentor: find  a local senior team and ask the coach who the most skilled and responsible senior player is. Create a relationship with that player and when possible go and see him train and play.

2. Watch as much rugby as possible and focus on the player in your position, this is the most fun and easy way to study the game - implement the skills you see in your own game. Together with your mentor go over games, try to have someone video your own games focusing only on you. Your goal is to become a "heads up" player, be smarter than the other guy. Flankers especially are required to be very physical but also "SMART!" Learn to read the game, you may feel like this slows you down but over your carreer  your decisions will get faster and you will see the game "in slow motion", learn different strategies of play.

3. Communicate with your coach your goals. With your coach and mentor work on improving your strengths and limiting your weaknesses. Set clear physical goals with check points along the way -  write them down! Hold yourself accountable.

4. Be open to travel. I am not sure which country you are in but you might consider looking at a University or high school that has a great program. Go for a scholarship or offer yourself up as a full paying student. Beleive in yourself.

5. Start creating a Rugby resume, get testimonials from players and coaches. Look for coaching clinics in your area. Put it together like a job resume - you may want to get the help of a professional adult. Remember: to be a professional Rugby player you need to be a professional person  - in EVERY way.

I hope this helps, feel free to ask more questions and be as specific as you like.

Play hard and have fun!




---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hey, thanks for the previous answer, it really helped. I was wondering if you had any flanker specific training tips for me? For example, training exersices and fitness idea's etc, anything to improve my flanker ability.

Thanks again,

Tom Leigh

Answer
Hi Tom,

The work on agility and endurance should always be worked on. Strength, speed and endurance are essential. Research football or rugby specific training and stay consistent, keep a running measure or strength and speed, join a good gym and invest in a trainer who was a professional / top player in contact sport like rugby.

Flankers need to have "back-like" speed to be able to support the back line; bursting through off the shoulder of a center or stripping the ball from a tackled player. Work on improving bust speed. Drill: stand a on a park bench or low wall, jump off the bench and as you hit the ground explode off for about 10 yards. Alter directions as well.

Flankers need good ball skills , get a few guys together to work ball skill drills. Play a lot of two-handed touch rugby and seven aside rugby. If there are not any games around be the man who organizes them - leadership has to start somewhere.

Another thing to look at is the openness and ability to play both open and blind side flanker. Also when passable study and practice at lock. If ever a selector is choosing between you and another player you will have the selection edge. Also later in your career when your body slows down lock will not seem like a big  change.

Get freindly with your halfback, 1st 5, 2nd 5 center etc. Know there plays. Don't just train and learn the forward plays - know intimatly the calls and plays of the back line. Train with them and take mentle notes as to how each player runs. What are the habbits of each play, what is their accelleration like - how can you best support them. Do they tend to go to ground in the tackle or do they stay on their feet? What side do they tend to off load clutch passes to?

Flankers should be there on the ball.