Go in hard and do some damage

In General

When you want to create a good performing rugby team then you need to maximise 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 coaches and the players.I call this the Skill Mix Optimalisation Process.

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 thing, to agree with these tasks is an important second (and often overlooked), performing the tasks is the third thing.

Good luck in developing your team spirit!

General considerations for Second Row players

Second Row players need the size and genuine jumping ability to dominate, and not just compete in the line outs. Strength and bulk is required to power the props into the scrum and mobility to get quickly around the pitch.

Every rugby player should develop his speed, for the second row extra focus should be on the quick burst breaking through the defensive line: explosive steps, power and resistance running agility. Look at my SAQ pages to improve your running technique.

Line-out

Develop your ability to catch with either left or right hand or both. Get organised with codes, different moves and practise. Your job is to secure the throw and give the team and attacking opportunity.

With the team developing more Line-Out options, the Second Row could also have a role as lifter, for example Back Row players.

Scrum

Bind on the other lock around the body on the top of the shorts making it tight. Kneel on one knee and bind on your prop. On the “Crouch/engage” hit your prop in the opposition scrum.
This hit is very important, the whole front five should engage as one tight unit not as five individuals. Organise the scrum calls regarding pushing and wheeling.

I have set up a special page regarding the scrum.

Open play: offence

Primary task is securing the lunate ball and being the power-house in the scrum.

You will probably arrive later when an Back Row move or a back play has been broken down. While you arrive you should make the right decision:

• Drive: weight and bulk (as well as body position) should be maximised to drive through the opposition, and over the ball;
• Wheel if momentum is slowed
• ‘Decking’ the ball to create a ruck for clean ball for the backs.
• Or pick-up and go.

Aggression, go forward and a strong “will to succeed”.

Defence

• A good defender around the fringes and in cover.
• Making the big hits.

Bakkes Botha

The big South African was all of this (like it or not). I had an opportunity to meet Toulon’s Mourad and he told me all foreign players at Toulon have to speak French. “And Bakkes Botha?” I asked him? He and other staff members laughed, the answer was “Non”.

Also crazy: happen to speak to Delon, he told me he had chauffeur Bakkes around.

Related Material

More on the functional role idea:

• Intro on functional roles;
• The place of functional roles in teambuilding;
• Functional roles in open play;
• Organising the Line-Out;
• And of course a Bakkes Botha Tribute on Youtube;