Note: this page is based on IRB coaching material, my own experiences and feedback from other coaches.

In General

When you want to create a high performance rugby team you need to look at the team assets and individual strengths of players. Piecing together the optimum position for the players is one of the great teambuilding activities of the coach and his players.

I think a lot of rugby coaches underestimate the motivational power that will develop when you start working with the players and discussing where their competence's will benefit the team the most.

With these rugby players specific pages I hope to identify the main tasks that come along with the position. A great teambuilding activity would be to let the team match their individual skills with the positions.

Definition is one, to agree with these tasks is important, performing the tasks is the third thing. Doing all three with all the players in the team is an elementary step to a successful team !

Good luck in developing your team spirit!

Open play: offence

The fullback can come into the line. His role can be:

• support runner
• extra pair of hands
• dummy runner
• Speed is not absolutely essential but the timing of the entry into the backline is, think of your role coming in on the blind side of the number eight or scrum-half.

The lines and angle of attack but most of all the timing determines whether the entry / penetration will be successful. Do not try to "telegraph" your entry. A good option is always to be the extra man on the outside. You need the speed though....

Defense

You need to catch the high ball, if you drop it then you punishes the whole team: they all have to come back, loose valuable meters and have to scrum.
The fullback needs to make the try-saving tackle. The whole team should not have to worry about these two qualities. A big responsiblity !

Determine the pattern of attack and set the defensive pattern accordingly. You have to decide when you move forward to join the defensive back line. Communicate with the wings, both wings and the fullback are the last line of defence.

In a one-on-one situation encourage the ball carrier to go outside, the touchline will be a defensive boundary. In a one-on-two situation start to move to the player without the ball, perhaps the ball-carrier will dummy and find you stepping back!

Key issues

• Ability to beat a man one on one
• Kick with both feet
• Comfortable with all types of passes
• Choose appropiate angles to strike at pace
• Tackle
• Pace

My favorite Full Back of all times

Having played it myself I choose Andy Irving of Scotland and JPR Williams of Wales because they made me wanting to play rugby.

General issues

More on the functional role idea:

• intro on functional roles
• the place of functional roles in teambuilding
• functional roles in open play

Last updated on 11-07-07