Today you will discover something your rugby school or club coach never told you.
It is something that most coaches don't want to tell you because they don't want to put their reputations on the line. However, this method has been tested and proven with thousands of rugby players over the last 20 years. It will make your rugby career incredibly more successful than it ever would have been if you had gone to a top rugby school. Learn these common rookie mistakes made by a forward that might end up destroying your future career.
When you're fighting for position, you have to get your head in front of your opponent. When you're playing rugby and trying to score, you're not going to land many blows like that. Instead, this tip is all about making sure you don't get caught with a punch coming at your neck or jaw line. Always keep your eye on your opponent's face and his hands. You don't want yourself sitting in the hospital bed with a neck injury checking out different offshore casinos to try out.
Rugby players are large and fast, which makes them incredibly difficult to tackle. Trying to stop a player by taking him out of the play is always a bad idea. If a player is running straight at you and you try to tackle him head on, he will likely get past you. Even without slowing down. Instead, try to shield yourself from the player's path. This is by moving sideways or backwards. Make your tackle when he is not as close. It might look easy but could end up in a penalty for obstruction.
You can't get much more basic than this. But it's also a very important rule to remember if you want to make it in professional rugby. You need a man to lead, and that man is the coach or captain. You'll be playing for his team, so he has the final say on tactics, substitutions and picking the team. He is the captain, not you. If you have any thoughts about making substitutions or changing your team's shape, throw them in his direction instead of talking out of turn at the lineout or scrum.
When you're going full-speed, the most dangerous thing you can do is reach out with your arms. Or trying to grab the ball carrier before he gets away from you. When this happens, both players have stopped moving. There's a good chance of a collision. The best way to catch up with an opponent is with your feet while turning sideways and running after him. This will also give you an opportunity to get in a good shoulder tackle as well. It's nice if you can do both at once and simultaneously.
As a forward, it's your job to get on the ball as soon as you come onto the pitch. Not waiting for someone else to do it first. As you come onto the pitch, run straight towards the opposition's half. Don't take one or two steps before cutting infield, or running in another direction altogether (i.e. running at a 45-degree angle towards their goal line). If you do this, your defender will be left wanting more. Given more space than he needs to cover his position properly. Give yourself the chance to win the ball.
Some rugby players are so eager to impress that they jump the gun and try to do too much. This is understandable; when you wear your team's jersey, it's pretty easy to get caught up in the excitement of the moment. But this can be a rookie mistake, especially for forwards, who have to make decisions on the fly. If you're trying to do too much too early, you'll end up in situations where you're out of position and overcommitting. It is important to remember that rugby is a game of small margins
When you grow up playing rugby, your body gets used to the way of the game. You develop workflows and habits that have carried you through the years without fail. But when you step into a professional rugby locker room and onto the field, suddenly everything changes. Routines and habits aren’t enough anymore. And these six rookie rugby forward mistakes will certainly show you why it’s important to focus on fundamentals in this sport if you are going to play it well. Fix them and you will have an instant advantage in your matches.
