How can I become more oriented to play a back position (rugby)?

Question

Ok, here's the story, I've played hooker for about 3 years now. I LOVE the position and have a great time with it, however, I want to expand my game play, as to better understand ALL aspects of the game and become a more versitile player. I am very fast (I can keep up with/ out run other backs easily) but I am short and stocky and have never kicked the ball before (mind you, I hit very hard). How can I learn more about which back position would be best for me and then how do I go upon learning to play it? (In practice, when we split up forwards and backs, it's difficult to go from one to the other, so my learning back positions has to be self-taught, for the most part, as hooker is my primary and best position). Any help would be awesome!!! Thanks!

Answer 1

Can you really run fast ?

If you are quick thats all you need for starters.

Speed goes further than any other skill in the backs.  

Sure making space, seeing the whole game, passing of both hands, a robust kicking game - great skill sets that most every good back has, but if you aren't fast forget about.

You need speed for offense but even more to tackle. If your coach and team mates haven't noticed how fast you are, then maybe you should let them know your PB for 100 meters or . . . don't you ever run against the rest of the team at training ?

And . . . inside centers,  and for that matter all backs, need to be able to kick in the modern game.

Answer 2

Hookers will make fine Halfback, if you are good at passing but you will have to think on your feet, not running too much but passing and kicking (mind you that Halfbacks kick a lot). If not Halfback, then next option will be more like Midfield (As you said, you are not strong in kicking department so you would mostly not suit First Five). Especially if you are good at creating the space, Line-Breaking, Defending. But I think you would most likely to suit Wing if you are fast enough. They are mostly the short ones of the team. But whatever position you do, you WILL have to practice passing, KICKING (yes, very big part of backs, especially if you are the first receiver from the ruck), fending, Side-Steps and other skills. I have played most of my young rugby years in First Five or Fullback cuz I had huge boot on me but now i mostly enjoy playing Blindside Flanker now.

Answer 3

i think youd be a good centre as you are fast and you hit hard...

also if your a good tackler and fast you can try to play full back..

but be carefull... if you cant kick the ball well.. dont get too excited playing at fullback..

Answer 4

I think you'd be suited in various back positions. With a bit of practice you can become a tidy scrum half although you'd be more useful elsewhere.

Full back would most likely suit your style...solid as a rock and not allowing anyone to go past you. in this position you'd also learn how to kick and run from further backfield.

Centres, another good role for a short, quick and stocky guy however you need to use your feet well, good side steps etc.

personally i'd put you on the wing as a detrimental winger. most wingers are small and somebody stocky,quick and hard like you is perfect on the wing to nail your opposite number as well as score plenty of tries. you'd make a very good winger.

Answer 5

I've mostly seen hookers play in scrumhalf and inside centre positions.  Inside centre would make the most sense as they rarely need to kick and some are considered "crash-ball" ball specialists (meaning they are there to simply run over the opponent).

Kicking technique is not too difficult to learn, but when and where to kick is a lot harder to learn from a book or website.

One thing that you should think about is that backs use a totally different set of skills in the game.  The most important concept is creating or finding space.  A good back will try NOT to hit the opponents whenever possible.  They are trying to find the little bit of space between defenders to run through, or trying to draw a defender out of line to let someone else run through.  Not many forwards think about creating space, but they should.

You need to brush up on your longer distance passes (both directions with both hands), learn about running lines (set patterns created to make space), learn a bit of kicking, and most importantly . . . learn to think about the game as a whole.

Some resources for you:

Intro to kicking:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_un...

Grubber kick: http://www.expertvillage.com/videos/begi...

Other kicks: http://www.videojug.com/film/rugby-union...

Rugby Running lines:

http://www.rugbytactics.com/moves.php

A great book:  Total Rugby by Jim Greenwood

Back positions and what they do: http://www.videojug.com/film/rugby-union...

Good luck!

Answer 6

I went from hooker to backs. Without seeing you play it is hard to be specific about which position, but not being able to kick rules out half-back, first-five eight and, unfortunately, fullback. Why fullback ? It is a good position to get used to the new found space as as a rule you have more time to do things than in  other positions and if what you try turns to custard you can kick the d**n thing out, not allways acceptable play in other positions. That was my experience anyway, though I  had the core skills of kicking and catching, and tackling was my  forte so once I  got the basics of positional play sussed, I was a safe fullback right from the start. Once I found my feet in the "space and timing" as oppossed to the " physical confrontation" I settled in the mid-field, mostly ouside-centre.Definitely the best position to get "re-orientated".

    The ability to kick is a must whatever the position. A mid-field back who cant kick is easy to defend against, and boring/frustrating  to play outside while on the wing you automatically become a "put the ball behind him" target/option for the opposition, an easy territory gainer.