How can i better my skills as a scrumhalf and also what sort of training should i do to bulk up and stay fit?

Question

I am 15 years old and play scrumhalf for my team. i am one of the smallest on my team( and yes i no the scrumhalves are usually the smallest players on the field) but i really want to be bigger so i can be more confident with my play(mainly defence). Also if anyone has advice on improving my kicking and passing game with mainly the distance of my kicks and passes letting me down.

Answer 1

As a 15 year old, you are still developing so it is important you consult a professional trainer and your doctor first.

I recommend  ÃƒÂ¢Ã‚€Â˜Plyometric Training.’ And before you go out doing it, it’s important you study what it is first.

You will find there are a lot of sites on the web that may help you with this.

This will help you with speed, strength, the ability to kick the ball further, faster and longer passes and the ability of getting off the mark a lot quicker.

Most important, it will give you the confident you may need to realise that your size doesn't matter.

Best of Luck, enjoy it and make the best of it well your still young.

Answer 2

To better your skills as a halfback in my opinion, is  more game time - with heaps of game-time you gain allot of experience in your decision making and vision in the game. You also get a good opportunity to familiarize your self with the style your number 8, line out jumpers and your fly half play - especially in set plays. Building up a great combination with your fly half will benefit not only for you but also your team (eg. Gregan and Larkham). Its good to know things like how far he wants the ball in front of him when  you pass it, how deep does he usually stands in the back-line etc.

  Doing allot of running helps for fitness but Being fit is very different to being game fit so just make sure you keep playing.

  At 15 you shouldn't be really worrying about bulking up. Your body is still developing. And defending is really about having belief and confidence in yourself. eg. Sam Tuitupou is a great example of someone who hits well above his weight..

Answer 3

Size isn't everything on a rugby pitch. If you are worried about the defence side of things practice tackling. Size is not important in this aspect. Proper technique is...actually it's just physics - levers and stuff that makes a good tackle. Think Jonny Wilkinson - great tackler - not physically as massive as some of the modern forwards, but puts his man down. So get out the tackle bags and let loose. Great to do after a bad day! Also work on getting round to your side, and getting on your feet quickly. With practice you can tackle, get up, get the ball and get it away before a ruck is formed.

As a team, you need to defend as a line with a full back dropped back. I coach my team so that the scrum half is actually behind the ruck or mall. It allows him to defend any bursts through the line at close range, and the point behind the ruck/ maul is the easiest to attack.

To work on strength - do not start on weights until you are at least 16. Your joints will not be properly developed. Instead work on excerises that use your own bodyweight. Lots of press ups, etc. But also ensure you keep the running/aerobic fitness levels high. Its no good putting on several kilos of new muscle but finding you are no longer quick enough to cover the ground. So keep the running going - work in sprint work with longer runs.

Example: start on try line, walk to 22, jog to 1/2 way, run to far 22, sprint to far try line. Hands behind head (opens up chest to make breathing easire) for 15 seconds, and repeat. Do ten of these in a session linked with a longer 2km run.

Also ensure you stretch. Keeping limbs lose will prevent injuries. To some extent pilates is also good - it works on core stabilty - important in all aspects of the game.

Passing. To improve your scrum half passes from the ground/maul you need to place the ball on the ground. Pick up and pass to parnter 10 yards away. Do this drill with one hand only..it works on wrist strength. If you are still struggling gilbert make a heavy weighted ball to work on this skill. It is much heavier and will work the muscles involved in the scrum half pass. Try to spend 10-15 minutes every session alone with your fly half just working on how he wants the ball. Does he eant it flat? Does he take it deep? How far in front of him does he like it to run on to etc.

Kicking. Scrum halfs tend to box kick. So ball on ground. Stand side on to ball, and kick towards the end of the ball. It will make it go high, and end over end. If you are left footed this skill is much harder as most of the time you will need to kick with your right foot. To work on your punting hold the ball in both hands, and then imagine you are placing it on a shelf in front of you at waist height. Now swing the leg through and follow through the sweet spot of the ball. This should improve distance and accuracy. Still not happy kicking - give it to the fly half - that's what he's there for!

I hope this helps, and enjoy your rugby.