So what position should you play?

November 1st, 2006

Thanks to John Birch, this year’s regional programme manager, for reproducing the following information from some RFUW guidance, showing the abilities a person should ideally have to play in any given position on the field.

Its a bit technical - but particularly for U17s - it may be useful as a guide to what skills you may need to improve to play in your chosen position.

For U14s it may just be a useful indicator of where you might be able to play.

Props (1, 3):-

* Basic knowledge of scrummaging
* Ability to take and retain ball in contact
* Decent level of upper body strength for lifting
* Decent basic handling skills
* Good body position and ability to make impact at the breakdown

Hooker (2):-

* Solid basic throwing technique
* Able to strike for the ball in the scrum (flexibility and technique)
* Good level of fitness
* Work rate and ability to tackle
* Good support and ability to link play
* Good “Go Forward” skills

Second Row (4, 5):-

* Athleticism (lineout jumping)
* Good aerial ability (handling)
* Good size and impact at the breakdown
* Dynamic work rate (not just plodding!)
* Decent handling ability

Blind Side (6) :-

* Physical impact and power
* Strong tackler
* Good ball retention
* Impact at the collision
* Good handling ability
* Good support lines and link work
* Good communication (defence)

Open Side (7):-

* High levels of work rate
* Strong in the tackle
* Pressurize opposition
* Support to ball carrier
* Ball winner – especially on floor
* Good handling for link support
* Good communicator

Number 8 :-

* Physical impact in defence and attack
* Good ball carrier
* Strong in the tackle
* Good ball retention
* Ability to stay strong in the tackle, especially if isolated
* Good decision maker
* Good communicator
* Ability to offload

Scrum Half (9) :-

* Good passing skills (off two hands if possible)
* Excellent decision maker
* Strong communicator (attack and defence)
* Ability to run with the ball (sniping)
* Good kicking skills
* Confidence

Fly Half (10):-

* Good all round ability
* Excellent decision maker
* Good hands
* Good kicking skills
* Vision and “heads up” play
* Good communicator
* Confidence

Centres (12, 13):-

* Strong in defence
* Decent hands
* Decent kicking skills
* Good ball retention
* Good communicators
* Good evasive skills
* Ability to offload

Wingers (11, 14):-

* Excellent evasive skills
* Good pace
* Ability to defend 1v1
* Kicking skills (able to chip and re-gather?)
* Willingness to work off the ball – not just stay on wing
* Act as extra defensive cover off blind side wing

Full back (15):-

* Good communicator
* Safe under high ball
* Good individual defence
* Decent kicking skills
* Good pace
* Ability to read a game
* Good support and entry lines in attack

About Rugby for Girls and Women | Comments | Trackback