Any tips for a small prop?

Question
Hi,

Im 14 years old and play prop for my school. I am not very fat, im almost 6 foot tall, and very big built. More No 8 material. Do you have any tips, it seems that all the small props are better than me in the scrum, possible because they dont have to bend down so far. Also any tips for around the field?

Rhys - Wales

Answer
Mr Jervis,

As a high school coach, I would love to have such a big underclassman.  The only problem is that if you either a prop or lock, you need to have someone equally large/strong to balance the scrum.

Based on your question, I think that you should be a lock/eight man.  Since your question deals with being a prop, I will discuss being a prop.  


Major requirements for a prop:

1.   Physical strength
2.   Well-developed neck, shoulders, back and leg muscles
3.   Ability to apply correct technique to maximize strength - foot position, body angles, correct binding and understanding of forces
4.   All around fitness and stamina
5.   Coordination with locks and hookers for the scrum and lineout

Essential skills for a prop:

1.   Contact:
a.   To scrummage effectively, safely, and consistently
b.   To bind tightly with hooker and to form a stable front row platform
c.   To support in the lineout
d.   To legally prevent opposition from breaking through the lineout
e.   To tackle from close positions
f.   To maul and ruck-low body position for driving forward
g.   Continuous commitments to secure balls and maintain possession

2.   Running:
a.   To run with determination and commitment
b.   To sprint over short distances
c.   To run after strenuous physical effort in the rucks mauls and scrums

3.   Handling:
a.   To take and give a short lifted pass
b.   To control, manipulate and rip out and roll out of a maul
c.   To be able to take deflection from a lineout including a planned peel

4.   Lifting:  Get jumpers to their apex to receive the ball in the lineout.

NOTES:

1.   The game of the prop is mainly played in close contact situations- scrums, mauls, rucks, and lineouts.  He must develop strength and skills to be effective under these situations.

2.   Tighthead and loosehead props have slightly different roles and requirements.

a.   Tightheads are the master scrummagers and need mass, strength and technique; they move scrums against the head.  The Tighthead must consistently pressure the opposing hooker.  The Tighthead prop is generally the leader of the pack.

b.   Looseheads must have aggressive mental dispositions along with an explosive body type required to open the tunnel and pre-empt an opposing Tighthead prop.  The loosehead prop must protect the hooker so that he may win the ball.

3.   Technique, strength, and ability are vital to the success and effectiveness of the scrum and lineout (binding, body position, foot position, coordinated pushing are as important as physical strength).

4.   Attitude is an essential attribute of a prop.  He must enjoy confrontation and be mentally tough.

Almost every contact skill in rugby requires good body position.

The basics for good body position (this is applicable to any contact situation-scrum/ruck/maul/tackle):

-Come in low then up.  
-Tense the shoulders and neck, and keep the head up.  Raising your elbows so the arm is almost parallel to the ground will tense up the shoulder muscles making the shoulder less susceptible to injury.
-When pushing, keep the buttocks lower then the shoulder
-Keep the spine in a straight line from head to rear (spine in line).  
-Maintain control of your body positions.

Here are some specific body position considerations for the prop.  As mentioned before, there is a difference in the position of a Tighthead vs. loosehead prop.

1.   Starting from the feet- loosehead props feet should be positioned with the outside foot a little forward of the inside foot (the middle of the outside foot aligning with the front of the inside foot).  The Tighthead prop should have feet in-line with each other.  While many coaches are teaching to allow the toes point outwards, I still require my props to point their toes forward.

2.   Once the initial bind has been made, the prop needs to get in a good crouching position.  The basic position is similar to that of a football lineman getting preparing to go into a good three-point stance.  This position is also similar to weightlifter doing a lift.  Important factors in the crouch:
-Feet a little wider than the hips
-The thighs should not be lower than parallel to the ground (the knee and butt need to be the same level).
-The spin should be curved inward (揵owed in?
-The spin should be in line
-The shoulders square and a little back
-The head up with eyes looking forward (in a scrum be looking at the line formed by the opponent's shoulders)
-The prop should be able to rock forward and back a little without loosing his balance.

3.   It is coming in that is likely messing you up.  From your crouch you should lean forward, hand on the opposite prop to guide you in.  The problem is that every forward coach tells you to get lower.  Most younger and newer front row players get lower by lowering their shoulders with the head looking down.  This will place the shoulders higher than the butt.  This is a dangerous position since you are already going down, the spin is bowed out, and you have very little strength or position to resist or make the scrum push.  The proper way to come in is to lean forward with the shoulders and head either moving in line parallel to the ground, or being a little lower than your opponent and coming up slightly.  You get lower than your opponent by bending at the knees and if necessary, moving your feet back a little.

4.   Once contact has been made, a little more than half your weight should be on inside leg.  This allows the outside foot to move easier, if required (closing the tunnel, hooking the ball, etc).

There is much more to getting in good body position as a tight five player.  Body position (to include using the tips and techniques explained above) is best taught and practiced under the guidance of a trained forwards coach.

Part of your question dealt with being a better rugby player.  What follows is a very quick lesson on basic rugby thought processes.

While playing, adhere to the following concepts

1   Go Forward
2   Provide Support
3   Ensure Continuity
4   Attack where they are not

As a forward, you should have the following five goals during a game

1.   Win the ball from set play
2.   Win the ball from loose play
3.   Provide support for each other and the backs
4.   Create a psychological advantage by being aggressive and displaying superior skill
5.   Tackle the opposition to the ground

Rugby is generally won in the second and third (loose) phase of play.  In order to succeed you must do the following:

1.   Maintain possession: Rugby is a possession sport; if a team does not have the ball, it cannot score.  Almost all individual skills are geared to maintaining or gaining possession of the ball.  It is important to not only retain possession of the ball, but also to prevent the opposition from getting possession of the ball.  The focus of loose play is to ensure that one's team maintains possession of the ball, especially after a break down in play.

2.   Attack:  If the ball is not moved forward, a team cannot score.

3.   Support:  Support is critical to the effectiveness of possession and attack.  As the ball moves from player to player, members must support the ball carrier, i.e., be where they can catch a pass, pick the ball up from the ground, or field a kick.  The attacking team does not want the ball to die and stop their attack.

4.   Communicate: Without communication, the other actions will not work effectively.

I hope this helps you.  I again stress that developing body position skills should be done under the guidance of a coach.

Good luck in your rugby career.


Deane Shephard
OPSU