hooker advice

Question
hey, i recently started playing hooker but i still cant get my technique right to hook the ball back. Any tips on practise tips and techniques. Many Thanks.

Answer
Hi Lucas,

Here is a usefull link for throwing in:

http://www.coachesinfo.com/article/?id=83

In most cases the hooker will rake with the foot furthest from the ball. It sounds odd but the angle is better. Hooker tends to get bound up using the near foot. Either way you choose (it is a comfort thing that is up to you) make sure to have the non-rake foot doing some work, pushing in the scrum. Don't just hang off your props.

Grips are very important. Get your Tight head prop to bind first. He should stand behind you, reach around and get his grip and then push around to be standing next to you with his left should well popped out. He should be slightly in front of you when the scrum sets. You will find this tilts your body to face the left - helping with your rake at put in. Try to watch a recent pro-rugby game to see what I mean.

The loose head prop still needs to bind well but when it is your put-in make him bind after the tight head.

On the opposition put-in reverse the form and always go for the ball. too many rakes miss out on stealing the ball of their opposite man.

Make sure your Loose head prop has a wide stance - feet slightly wider than his shoulders for a clear channel to rake the ball back.  Discuss with the locks and number 8 what the plan is with regard to the ball coming back through the channel.

You and your props  need to really take some time to work on your technique, 10-20 minutes after training helps. 30% on the scrum machine 70% off.

Do this on top of regular scrum practice.

Let me know how it goes.