Ruggers, how long before you got it?

SFT · 01-30-2006, 05:51 PM

Out of the rugby players that come on this board, I am curious how long it took before you actually had a GREAT understanding for the sport and were not running around like a chicken with its head cut off?

I'm just curious because this is my first year playing and season does not start until April and I'm wondering if there is ANY chance that I'll pick up the sport well enough to play the A-side instead of B. Obviously everyone is different, but I'm just curious.

lrakk · 01-30-2006, 06:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SFT

Out of the rugby players that come on this board, I am curious how long it took before you actually had a GREAT understanding for the sport and were not running around like a chicken with its head cut off?

I'm just curious because this is my first year playing and season does not start until April and I'm wondering if there is ANY chance that I'll pick up the sport well enough to play the A-side instead of B. Obviously everyone is different, but I'm just curious.

Being your 1st year in rugby it may take a while to understand the game and the positional plays and it depends on where your playing, forwards or backs

if its backs its not that hard just hit holes and run good angles at the defence and time your runs.

If its forwards well that depends on where in the forwards tight 5, or loose forwards that may take a little time, if your playing prop that may take even longer, the main advantage you could have even if it is your 1st season is fitness if you are fit can run for 80 minutes make alot of tackles it won't be too hard, enjoy the game of rugby and smash some people and if someone is lying on the ball in a ruck don't be shy tread on him rake him with your sprigs
and if his hands are on the ball in a mall break his fingers

being from australia and rugby being almost a way of life here like ice hockey to the canadians thats how we play the game ENJOY!!

SFT · 01-30-2006, 06:57 PM

Thanks a lot. I'm probably looking at playing flanker, not sure if I'd end up being blind or openside. This is where the coach was thinking about putting me and where I want to play. I have a fair amount of strength and still have speed and some size at 5'11 185lbs. Also, I love to tackle.

The coaches were also mentioning they are going to play the people who are going to be able to move for all 80 minutes because its better to have someone who is going to bust their ass for the whole game and have chances at making plays than have someone who knows how to play, but can't make any plays because he's sitting on his ass.

Thanks again for the reply.

BenT · 01-30-2006, 07:05 PM

Well, it's been my 2nd year at rugby, and sometimes I still have to ask my friends what's allowed and what's not.

The main thing is to know of the common penalties, so that you don't do them.

You know what I found helped a lot? Playing Rugby 2005 on my PS2... No kidding, I learned so much more about the rules just from playing that game.

FiLL · 01-30-2006, 11:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SFT

Out of the rugby players that come on this board, I am curious how long it took before you actually had a GREAT understanding for the sport and were not running around like a chicken with its head cut off?

I'm just curious because this is my first year playing and season does not start until April and I'm wondering if there is ANY chance that I'll pick up the sport well enough to play the A-side instead of B. Obviously everyone is different, but I'm just curious.

it didnt take me that long to learn the game i played open side flanker for the 1st XV at school... started playn when i was 13. but u just gotta get a good understanding of the penalty's in particular when u give em away know what u've done so u can quickly get back your 10 , etc etc..... but the best way to learn is just keep playn, match experience is the best and at training if u have to ask as many questions as u want no matter how stupid they sound the coach will always answer u. and he'll think your taking the game seriously aswell

Supat · 01-31-2006, 12:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BenT

Well, it's been my 2nd year at rugby, and sometimes I still have to ask my friends what's allowed and what's not.

The main thing is to know of the common penalties, so that you don't do them.

You know what I found helped a lot? Playing Rugby 2005 on my PS2... No kidding, I learned so much more about the rules just from playing that game.

Believe it or not, Rugby 2005 helped me as well!

It's not good for the weird penalites that happen in rucks/mauls, but as a back, it has definitely helped me in regards to decision making with the ball.

N10CT · 01-31-2006, 12:33 AM

I don't think any one ever fully 'gets' it. Even the top players have trouble with interpretations. And there is also a massive difference between getting it and doing it. I started playing at 13, made A's by 14 but it probably wasn't until u15s or even 16s that I started to really get it.

Getting top quality coaching and watching/ studying top level games are the best ways to really 'get' this crazy game of ours.

Rob878 · 01-31-2006, 04:22 AM

As a fellow back row, i welcome you to the club and hope that for the rest of your career you realise that you should aim at becoming the most hated player on the pitch.

For your first season when your team is defending look on yourself as the Junk yard dog (a bit of american i picked up there). Try and be the first to the tackle area stay on your feet and try and turn the ball over or slow the opposition ball down. A good guide on how close you are to giving a penalty is how much the ref is calling out "ruck formed hands out" if you haven't turned the ball over, hold on for about another shout then release, it just slows the ball down enough to let your defensive line realign itself. If your good and sneaky enough the opposition ball becomes slow and you don't give penalties away.

In attack one basic rule, stay out of the 9-10 channel, unless your scrum half is calling slow ball and needs runner off him, if you not involved in the ruck get out in the backs onto either shoulder of the 10 (he will tell you if he wants runners, or get behind the centres to offer support when they get tackled, as welll as the option for the off load. Aim to hit every other ruck and in a pod system this should be easily accomplished, and prepare for a lot of running

Other than that super 14 and the six nations start this weekend. It's a great chance to see players such as Shalke Burger, George Smith and The ulitmate openside at the moment Ritchie McCaw. Watch what they do and try and bring a bit of it too your game.

Most of all enjoy your first season, and become a sponge for infomation.