How can I get back into my Rugby Team?

Question

In my club we have so many people that we have 3 teams. I was playing in the second team and doing quite well, then some people in the team really annoyed me so I just stopped trying then I got dropped. I was happy to start with but now I want to get back into the team. I was a Blindside Flanker/Second Row.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Answer 1

You get back in the team by wanting to play in the first instance. If you dont want to play you are a negative influence on the team ; and when there are others who may not be as good but want to play , I will ALLWAYS go with them.

There are few , if any , sports that have as many players in a team. Usually 20-25. A lot of different personalities ..... clashes are inevitable. How you cope with them is what being part of a team is all about. Its as much part of game as running , tackling etc.  You obviously threw the toys out of the cot but now regret it and the fact that you posed this question shows that you really are determined to get back ; good on you.

What you have to do now is apply that determination and desire to play on the paddock. It comes down to channelling your determination/anger in a positve direction.

In one team I played for for a few seasons there was one guy in particular I didn't get on with . Once before a game  I felt I needed to "agro up " so deliberately seeked him out . I tended to play better with a bit of anger . It worked !!! It evolved almost into a pre-match ritual. The best part is ; 35 years later he is  a life-time friend.

Go for it kiddo .  There are ups and downs sure ... but first and foremost  enjoy the challenges that being part of a team throws at you.

Answer 2

talk to the coach and try to explain why you stopped trying in the first place, make sure he knows just how much you want to be on that team, train your butt off and prove it to him, make sure he can trust you not to leave againbut if there are that many people you will have a hard time proving yourself so you might have to put up with the third team for a while but work through it and prove that you are good enough to go back up! god luck!

Answer 3

Keep ur mouth shut outside playing or pratcise and take the lead when the team is doing drills and just show your coach that you are really tring to get back onto the team! nothing else you can do really except going up to the training pitch before you're coach and be kitted out and practising before everybody else!

Answer 4

ring them and show them how good you are

Answer 5

Whats wrong with the number one or number three team?

Dude, it's all the same game.

Best way to be asked to play in the number two team - play against the number two team as a member of the number three team and . . . hit it up hard for the full 80!

Answer 6

Hello my friend, it is not clear whether you believe selection is based upon merit or "who knows who".

I am guessing you are relatively young and it may have been some of the old soaks who annoyed you.

Whilst I empathise, you'll have to get over it!! (been there done it!).

If you plan to play to the best of your ability and for a number of years the most important aspect you can learn is "mental toughness" in addition to any natural ability you possess. Identify your weaknesses (or the things you don't enjoy) and become more than competent in them. Aim for consistency, and play for the team not yourself. Encourage others when they make mistakes (everyone does) don't criticise (but aim to treat criticism of you constructively, not negatively). In short, make yourself a "leader" for the length of the game.

The other comments here are valid too, decide on your best position and then train for that role within the team.

I played at a "senior" level from the age of 16 and represented the 1st XV at least once a year for 20 plus years. Each time I had a bad injury I had to start again as though I had never played before.

Within that time I was in and out of favour (with "management") on numerous occasions, but always had the respect of my colleagues once I stopped worrying about whether I looked good or not.  

Always try to win, always "play fair" but don't take a backward step - you can be "tough" without having to resort to cheap violence (don't whinge about it!) and that can be even more scary!!!! Don't get "sin binned" or sent off. Get fit, work your butt off and enjoy it - success will follow.

Good luck (you'll need that too!).

Answer 7

First of all decide whether you play backrow or second row. There's quite a difference. Which ever you decide to go for, get to work on the specialist skills for that position.

Now work on your teamwork. So you "got dropped" for "not trying". People make mistakes so I'm not judging you on this but the very notion of "not trying" on a rugby field is totally alien to me. I don't think I've ever seen anyone do that. How do you expect to work well in lineouts if you're allowing yourself to "get annoyed" with your props?

I think what you should do is go for blindside flanker and get some respect back from your team-mates as it sounds like you've let them down in some way. Play blindside and make up for your tantrum by knocking opponents over. Everyone loves to have a mad flanker on their side. In future, leave petty annoyances to the classroom / office and unite with your friends and teammates when you're playing rugby.