Im going to become a rugby convert to league and need some training drills?

Question

Im 22, played rugby union since i was 5, ive already decided im going to player hooker in league next year. Im just playing to play not to go nrl or anything but i am competitive and i want some training tips and things to work on to become a good league hooker for next years season. Speed, Hand Skills, Passing, Positional Play, Kicking etc.

Answer 1

Hey bro, if your gonna play league you'll find that most positions/ skills are generic and that the only difference is that the further out you go position wise, the faster you need to be. But for hooker specifically you need to be quite fit (think Cameron Smith, Danny Buderus, Richard Swain), so lots of Fartlek and interval running (shuttles and the like). You'll also need good accelleration to exploit lazy marker defence, so don't skimp on developing speed. Up to ten 20-30m sprints a week  in one session with 2 to 3 minutes rest in between each sprint. (Be sure not to over do it, listen to your body). Develop your passing on both sides and off the ground like one of the brothers has already mentioned. Make sure you time your arrival to the play the ball so that your feet are still moving when you get your hands on the ball. (This is handy if it's on for a dart, you don't want to have a dart from a standing start.) Also a good hooker offers a kicking game. Long kicks for territory from the base of the ruck and short for attacking the oppostion goal line. The other skill a good hooker needs is good defense, so lots of practice on the tackling technique which can be quite different from union. This is where the fitness comes in. So build lots of oxegyn through long running and interval training and speed through sprints and weight training, (if your not already).

Good luck bro and go hard! Oh, one last thing when you support Origin, cheer for the Maroons, that always helps.

Answer 2

As long as you have ball skills,and passing,especially if you are playing at hooker.Your best  training drills will come from watching the hookers playing in the NRL games,you fine that they are at dummy half position all day.Watch what they do they normally,get to where the ball is played & look right or left

before they pass the ball.The ball must be passed from the ground,not pick up then pass.

Answer 3

well i dunno many training drills but i can say god bless ya, youve made the right choice coming to league.

Answer 4

come to me i'm a good rugby player

Answer 5

I'd suggest that you talk that out with the coach of the team you are going to join, as he probably has some sort of plan for how he wants his hooker to play, so you could tailor your training drills to cater for what he requires.

Most of your skills from Union should cross over, Tackling and scooting out of dummy half should be the main areas you focus on, as well as your passing game.

But talking to your new coach / team will give you all the drills you need.