How to make flanker?

Question

I am currently playing on the right wing (women's team), but this is mostly because I am new to the game and with the player dynamics that we have (VERY fast centres) there isn't an awful lot to do out on the wings. My role is largely defensive, and when the opposition run plays down the wings I love it, but there is a lot of hanging around. I am 5'3 and about 122lb and although smaller than the rest of the forwards I think I'm strong and tough enough to play openside flanker - what extra training could I do to strengthen my chances? What skills do I need to practice?

Answer 1

these two positions aren't very interchangeable I'm afraid. The physicality required to play at flanker is an increased body mass and the ability to break hard and fast from the scrum to hold up the opposing scrum half or number 8. Speed is essentail but also stamina as you would ideally be at every breakdown of play every ruck and maul and also to lift in the line outs. You could try sprint training and lots of cardio work in the gym, strengthening your lower back and upper thighs to cope with the repeated hits you should also focus on the way the game is played as there is absolutely nothing worse than following an inexperienced player into a  ruck where they just get in the way. Ball retention is important but so is the ability to get the ball back on your side after a tackle. Get yourself involved if there is ever an unoppposed scrum just to get a feel for the position. Flanker is hard work with little glory. Good luck and I hope this helps a little

Answer 2

Tackling, getting the ball on the ground, really thumping the outside half, supporting in the lines out, scrummaging, mauling, going psycho.

Answer 3

If you are fast and can tackle, sounds like you can: that should be enough to get you a run.

Speed and being able to tackle are the fundamentals, as is fitness and endurance. The best opensides tackle everything and do it for 80 minutes. Size and strength don't really have to be a massive part of the equation.

Number sevens shouldn't really be expected to lift at line-out time, plenty of slower, stronger legs to do the heavy lifting.

Work on endurance and build your tackle skill sets. - if you can do those two things, your coach might give you a run.

Number 7 is a bloody hard position to play well.

Answer 4

Flankers tend to have the most all-around athleticism and skills of all players with great recovery and endurance.  Maybe not the fastest, maybe not the strongest, but can give either a run for their money and get up off the ground faster than anybody on the pitch.  Basically, you should be able to mix it up with the forwards in mauls/rucks and be able to run with the backs in the open field.  You should train like a fighter or decathlete.  

It's great because you really get to do a bit of everything, but the most important thing for a flanker is to be an efficient and reliable tackler as 6 & 7 typically make the most tackles in a game.  Flankers must have a strong will to succeed, relish contact (will take down anybody), and will pursue any ball carrier to the gates of h**l if they can be caught.  You should also be a total nuissance to the opposition at breakdowns-when a ball carrier is isolated in the open field, a good flanker ought to make it a turnover.

Since you are new, I would ask your coach if you can try playing flanker in a b-side game or something.  If you do well, it will be noticed.  Ask the starting flanker for some tips.