Position Selection

Question
Hello,

I'd like some help selecting a position to play. I'm 6'0", 195lbs. I'm a pretty thin guy despite the fact that i weigh almost 200lbs, I'm a triathlete which helps keep me pretty slim and builds good endurance.

I've only been playing rugby for about 4 months, and just started playing with my college team. I have been playing as a wing, but I'm not sure that it is the position for me, as open field tackling is my weakest skill right now. I've thought about being a flanker or an eightman maybe? My friend thinks I should be a lock or fullback or stick with wing. I'm not the fastest player on the field, especially for a wing, but I have pretty good speed, and I can break tackles well. I need some advice as to whether I should stay as a back, or move into being a forward.

Thanks!

Answer
Hi AJ,

You will benefit from changing positions if you can though. Flanker is a technically difficult position to get right but you are exposed to a lot of play at flank.

Move around and try other positions for a season or two then you will finalize. Rugby is a game for all body types and with your build you could play in any position except probably the front row. Only experimenting in different positions will review the one you excell at or enjoy the best.

Here is some tackling advice:

The aim is to make a tackle to stop the play/player. Drive in hard and execute the tackle forcefully and wrap the player up well with your arms. The game of rugby moves fast enough that this will be enough to give your team the advantage.

Below is a past answer to a similar question. If you focus on the line of the players shorts / jersey or the string of their shorts then size will not be an issue. If a player is really big then letting them go buy and tackling from behind and sliding down the legs will bring them down. A firm grasp around the waist then drop down with all your might while squeezing their legs together.

Your head should go to the side that is "out of the way". If the player is running at you going to the left you head should go to the right side and vice versa. If the guy is running directly at you it would be best to put you head on the side the guy hold the ball but really don't over think it on that angle. The big thing is to drive your shoulder into the guys gut or lower sternum.

When tackling from the side the rule of thumb is "cheek to cheek" face to butt.

Here is a simple method for improving your tackle. When a player is moving towards you (or vice versa) do not look at their body as a whole, instead focus on the point of center between their hips. Often a coach will tell you to "eyeball" the "string of their shorts". This focus will allow your brain to only register the runner's center of gravity: the "mass" of their torso or core. No matter what a runner's arms, legs or head does the torso is usually stagnant.

Keep your feet active, stay on your toes either moving towards them or running in place. Close the space between you and the runner swiftly but stay in control. This is to limit the runner's options as much as possible. If you over commit to running into the tackle the player has a better chance of stepping you.

Focus on the "string of their pants" and drop your center of gravity to set up the hit. Bend at the knees, eyes up, straight back, hips lower than your shoulders like a prop in a scrum. Aim the shoulder to that string."Punch" into the players core with your shoulder and wrap the player up with your arms. Drive hard with little punchy steps of your legs.

To summarize:

1. keep the feet active "live"
2. focus on the "string of their pants"
3. drive the shoulder through the "string of their pants"
4. wrap the player up and drive with the legs in short steps.

Don't try to pick the player up, this is dangerous and will probably get you penalized. Drive hard with the shoulder and legs

This link to UTube is VERY good:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MQJ39bbq2uU