Improving on the wing.

Question
Hi,
My friend and I are both 15 year-old wingers playing for our school. We are both about 5"11 and the right weight for our height. We are both keen sportsmen and we were wondering if there are any tips you can give us apart from the obvious ones like eat healthy and exercise. If there are any drills we can use to improve our performance on the pitch or any other qualities a winger needs please can you reply to this e-mail. Thank you from Tim Love and Charles Newson.

Answer
Mr Love,

Some speed drills:

These drills are courtesy of an old CanCoach CD.

Power sprints
-Players work in pairs in the area from the goal line to the 22 meter line.
-Players pair up on the goal line one behind the other.
-While the forward-facing player sprints towards the 22 meter line using short,sharp strides the other player provides resistance by holding the player at the waist.
-Once the front player has gone 10 meters players return to the start and the roles are reversed.

Suicide in threes
-Player work in groups of 3 with 1 ball in each group.
-Groups line up in single file on the goal line.
-Cones are placed at distances from the goal line of 10, 15 and 22 meters.
-On "Go" the first player shuttle runs with the ball in hand to the first cone and returns, runs to the second cone and returns and runs to the thrid cone and returns.
-The second player does press ups while the first player runs and the third player rests.
-Each player does a set number of shuttles and the players rotate around the three roles i.e. run, exercise, rest.

Shuttles
-Players work in groups of 4 or 5 in a 10 be 10 meter grid.
-Place a fifth cone in the centre of the grid. Players start in a straight line at cone 1.
-The first player in line runs from cone 1 around the centre cone to cone 2.
-From cone 2 they run across the grid to cone 3, back to the centre cone where they drive off hard and run to cone 4.
-At cone 4 the player quickly changes direction and runs hard back to the start position at cone 1.
-The player then moves to the back of the line and player 2 goes.

The following is basic information regarding being a wingers.

Major requirements:

The wing is one of those difficult positions.  It is a critical position that can win or lose a game.  It is also the position most likely to be filled by a new player.

There are several things that a wing must be able to do to be successful.  Since the most effective location to make the burst for the score is on the outside, it is very important for the wing to run with speed and determination with the ability to move elusively to avoid being tackled.  The wing needs to position himself correctly off the ball to either attack (outside a crashing fullback) or defense (to take the place of a crashing fullback).  Because of the need to remain aligned with the rest of the backline and to have the ability to sprint for distance, the wing must possess all round aerobic fitness.

By the time the ball gets to the wing, there is usually pressure from the opposing side, so the wing must be able to handle the ball confidently catching, holding under pressure, and making good passes.

The wing needs to be able to field kicks, as well as making the proper kicks for the situation (tactical- get ball beyond immediate opposition/strategic- get ball down field and into touch)

Essential skills:

Running:
-To run with pace and determination carrying the ball
-Possess the ability to run with the ball with control and be elusive-change pace, swerve, change step, side step, change direction
-To run with body angle slightly forward
-To run with arm in a position to fend off

Position:
-To possess knowledge and skill of positioning for defense and attack
-To alter position on the field quickly and to do it all game
-To avoid distractions and to possess the mental concentration necessary for these tasks
-To know then variations possible at scrum, lineout, 22 drop, kick off, and penalty kicks
-To know his position in various back line moves

Handling:
-To be able to catch and receive a ball correctly and at pace
-To give a pass - speed of pass, body position, length of pass, height of pass, in front of chest of receiver
-To hold the ball correctly with two hands is essential.  If using one, place ball in outside arm - leaving inside field arm free to fend off the opposition.
-Know how to protect ball in maul or tackle and how and when to release it to make it available
-To stand in tackle if needed
-To throw in at the line-out if necessary
-To field any ball in air or on ground, going forward and backwards

Kicking:
-To be able to kick accurately with both feet
-To execute a variety of kicks - chip and grubber, cross or centering kick, clearing kick to space, to touch, feint and drop kicks
-To toe ball ahead and chase/retrieve under pressure

Contact:
-To tackle effectively from front, rear and side
-To fend off and to burst through tackles
-To retain possession in contact
-To position body for a drive
-To fall on ball quickly and regain feet

NOTES:
-It is the wing抯 job to score tries, and finish off play decisively.
-The wing must be hungry for the ball and look for work.
-The wing must value the positioning and repositioning work he does off the ball, which can create opportunities and deny them for the opposition - again, be hungry and look for work.
-The main task of the wing is also to prevent tries from being scored against his team.
-The wing must make the ball available when necessary.
-The wing must run with pace, skill, power, and conviction.

Good luck,

Deane Shephard
Stuttgart RC