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Matty_98 ![]() Mini and Juniors ![]() ![]() Joined: 27 Aug 2018 Location: Yorkshire (uni) Status: Offline Points: 3 |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Posted: 02 May 2020 at 12:54 |
Hi, bit of an odd post I know but thought I’d give it a go. Asked a question on here a couple of years ago and had some really helpful replies and messages. I’ve spoken to coaches at the club about it but all the advice you get here is about fitting into the team and less about maybe becoming more of an all-round player.
I’m currently playing level 5 rugby and have ambitions, one day to play in the National League’s and represent England Counties. I’m not good enough yet but by playing every week at level 5, I’m hoping I’ll keep improving. I currently play as a 6 or a 7 and was just curious as to what specific requirements coaches/teams at that level look for in a flanker. For example, I’m only 5’9 but I’m 97kg. At this level, I feel pretty comfortable playing at blindside, we’ve got other line-out options which allows me to just focus on playing in the loose, tackling, carrying and trying to jackle and turn the ball over which I’d say are my strengths as a player. But, at higher levels, will my lack of size be a negative in terms of not necessarily being as effective a line-out option as other players? Would moving position be a benefit or is my size fine to play as a flanker? Obviously rugby is different at different levels so I was just curious as to what the most important skills are for a flanker playing in the National League’s and what I can do now to become more of an all-round player that could play well at that level? I’m just trying to get as much advice and information as possible really off different coaches, players and even supporters because it’s all useful and it’s all guidance that I can take on board. Many thanks.
Edited by Matty_98 - 03 May 2020 at 10:24 |
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DGS Old Boy ![]() World Cup Winner ![]() ![]() Joined: 11 Feb 2013 Location: Darlington Status: Offline Points: 343 |
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Hi Matty, at risk of being shot to pieces by the experts on this forum, I would suggest that if your ambitions stretch to playing higher level rugby, you join a club (with a strong second team) that plays at the level you are aspiring to, you may only play second team initially so it may sound an odd suggestion but it is acknowledged that there are big gaps to overcome as a player moves up from (say) level five to (say) level three, so, joining a club playing at a higher level, will give you experience of training and playing with experienced good quality players and introduce you to the disciplines needed to play at a higher level.
You mention your size, again, in my view its not that important, if you are already with a higher level club the club will assess what you need to do to become a 1st team player, if that means changing position then the club will be able to help with coaching etc. hope this helps.
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front5 ![]() World Cup Winner ![]() ![]() Joined: 26 May 2017 Location: County Durham Status: Offline Points: 402 |
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Some really sound advise DGS
![]() Edited by front5 - 02 May 2020 at 15:09 |
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FHLH ![]() World Cup Winner ![]() Cambridge Joined: 19 Apr 2009 Location: Cambridge Status: Offline Points: 5320 |
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Agree entirely. If you feel you need to move positions, then your obvious choice is hooker, subject to the rules about crooked fed not being enforced - your learning curve wouldn't be too steep
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"My father told me big men fall just as quick as little ones, if you put a sword through their hearts."
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Raider999 ![]() World Cup Winner ![]() Joined: 18 Jan 2013 Location: Crawley Status: Offline Points: 4450 |
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Just need to practice throwing into the line-out |
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RAID ON
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JonDee ![]() World Cup Winner ![]() Joined: 25 May 2007 Location: Nottingam Status: Offline Points: 1395 |
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Nottingham were asked by a local club a few years ago to help convert a good player from a stocky centre to a hooker it took 2-3 years but Tom Youngs hasn't looked back !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Pappashanga ![]() World Cup Winner ![]() ![]() Joined: 23 Sep 2014 Location: Surrey Status: Offline Points: 2167 |
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If you're near London, join Richmond. A lot of players from second and third teams end up in the first, often because of injuries. Toby Saysell, N1 player of the season and a loose forward, did it that way.
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pappashanga
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Camquin ![]() World Cup Winner ![]() ![]() Joined: 01 Jun 2007 Location: Cambridge Status: Offline Points: 11249 |
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His location says Merseyside - so that looks like he plays at Wirral and would need to join Caldy..
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Sweeney Delenda Est
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greenpower ![]() World Cup Winner ![]() Joined: 25 Oct 2012 Location: north yorkshire Status: Offline Points: 3324 |
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his profile says his club is fylde i
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Thatbloke ![]() World Cup Winner ![]() Joined: 02 Sep 2017 Location: Newport Status: Offline Points: 1736 |
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Who are Level 4 - not 5
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GreenThrough&Through ![]() World Cup Winner ![]() Joined: 27 May 2014 Location: Threshfield Status: Offline Points: 707 |
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I wouldn't worry about height if you are playing 7, a lot of excellent 7s less than 6ft. Hard as hell to shift when over the ball due to low body position. Neil Back springs to mind.
In terms of improving as an overall player, work on your handling and link up play. Regardless of what position you end up in, these will stand you in good stead. As for moving clubs, I suppose this depends on whether you believe your current club can make the step up. If you're enjoying playing where you are and you feel valued then there's a lot to be said for being happy with your lot. However, if you feel it's time to move on, I strongly advise you talk to the coaches of the clubs you approach before making any move. How they see the game being played, how they look to utilise their back row etc. should influence your decision. Playing under a coach who wants a pack all in excess of 6ft; or sees their back row as just ball carriers is likely to see you hit a glass ceiling. Good coaches should also be prepared to discuss and help you improve to where both you and they want you to be. Whatever you decide to do, best of luck with it.
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Blutarsky ![]() World Cup Winner ![]() Joined: 17 Aug 2010 Location: / Status: Offline Points: 990 |
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Too small. Start eating, start practicing throwing in.
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Pappashanga ![]() World Cup Winner ![]() ![]() Joined: 23 Sep 2014 Location: Surrey Status: Offline Points: 2167 |
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The best place for a smaller player ( other than scrum half) is hooker. A hooker these days is an all rounder. Accurate throwing in and lively play in the loose are the most desirable attributes. they do very little hooking.
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pappashanga
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FHLH ![]() World Cup Winner ![]() Cambridge Joined: 19 Apr 2009 Location: Cambridge Status: Offline Points: 5320 |
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There's always wing (Grant Batty [NZ] 5' 5" 64kg) or scrum half (Faf de Clerk [SA] 5' 7.5" 88kg)
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"My father told me big men fall just as quick as little ones, if you put a sword through their hearts."
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marigold ![]() World Cup Winner ![]() ![]() Joined: 09 Apr 2019 Location: Eltham Status: Offline Points: 430 |
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Pappa I suggest you failed to consult any props when you commented the best place for a smaller player is hooker-especially as they no longer need to hook! Play the position you most enjoy and are best at. I note the 2 flankers who played 1st XV for level 3 Richmond most of this season are of similar build to you. It is not how good you are on the scales but how good you are on the pitch.
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Pappashanga ![]() World Cup Winner ![]() ![]() Joined: 23 Sep 2014 Location: Surrey Status: Offline Points: 2167 |
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Thanks Marigold. I was in fact a tight head prop. Jason Phipps is relatively small and managed to hook successfully for Richmond in the Championship in 2018/19 and for a number of years before. Very fast and agile. I'm not suggesting anyone less than , say five foot nine, be a hooker. Ian McLauchlan was a very effective prop at at that height. Breadth is more important than height for strength. Anyhow, I think we've all found out by the age of twenty whether we're strong, fast or neither.
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pappashanga
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No 7 ![]() World Cup Winner ![]() ![]() Joined: 10 Oct 2011 Location: LONDON Status: Offline Points: 1872 |
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Billy Harding , London Scottish use to be a backrow and was deemed too small and turned to hooker. He is an outstanding player. fast, good hands and very aggressive runner. This is at level 2. Another smaller flanker is Joe Bercis of Ampthill and district another superb player and very effective at the breakdown.
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Ambition should be made of sterner stuff.
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WEvans ![]() World Cup Winner ![]() Joined: 08 Dec 2016 Location: London Status: Offline Points: 1456 |
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Lots of good "small" flankers and lots of bad "big" ones. At the end of the day size is one of the least important attributes of a good back-row given a reasonable starting point.
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DGS Old Boy ![]() World Cup Winner ![]() ![]() Joined: 11 Feb 2013 Location: Darlington Status: Offline Points: 343 |
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There's an old saying "Its not the size of the dog in the fight, its the size of the fight in the dog" ![]() |
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front5 ![]() World Cup Winner ![]() ![]() Joined: 26 May 2017 Location: County Durham Status: Offline Points: 402 |
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Jack AlHuckleberry Richmond previously DMP one of the over the ball at this level...
Play to your strengths and more than anything enjoy your rugby
Edited by front5 - 08 May 2020 at 19:37 |
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