What changes do i need to make to live a rugby (hooker) lifestyle? hooker as in the rugby position?

Question

ok so i have asked what my position should be and you guys told me hooker. I am grateful for your help and am hoping for it again. Anyway i want to be as devoted to this sport as possible what do i need to do to live a "rugby lifestyle".

Thanks for your previous help and i am hoping i can get some more!

Answer 1

He he, actually a funny question. Sure stand out number twos like Smit, Oliver and Fitzy are not short on smarts but not all hookers need to be legendary international captains and general hard as mongrels.

To start out playing in the front row their are really just two qualities you need to acquire immediately. The first is being able to digest an enormous quantity of meat pies, and the second is being able to consume fantastically large volumes or larger beer.

Traditionally Hookers are expected to feed the line out. Basket ball is good, if just shooting hoops - the accuracy needed is similar. I reckon throwing American foot balls would work too.  In two of the key set plays involved in rugby the number two is in contact with the ball.

You don't need to actually hook the ball. If your team is feeding the scrum the half back will roll the ball into your side. If the other team feeds you aren't expected to win the scrum.

Buy that rugby ball and start throwing it at your friends and family. Any regulation size 5 ball will do the trick.

Brands I would recommend - Gilbert and the cheap as chips New Zealand favourite Tui.

Answer 2

You'd need to improve upper body strength, and leg strength.

Balance might also be a useful attribute.

Ball Handling (no pun intended), is a must for a hooker, you should practice line out throwing, as this is a main requirement for a hooker.

A good fitness is not essential, but will play in your favour in any of the forwards positions. This includes mainly muscular endurance, though speed and agility could be useful.

Answer 3

I DEFINITELY agree with the guy that posted before me. Very good answer, BUT you may not be familiar with all the terms he is refering to, as I'm assuming that you are new to the game. If this is the case, you can find out more information on each of the positions on sites like wikipedia (I know, not always the most legit source, but I think it would be basically helpful) and also by watching rugby on sites like USArugby. I've found that watching rugby is probably the most helpful and informative way to learn the game. If you want to see exactly what the hooker does, watch number 2 when watching the game (each position on the rugby field has a designated number. these don't change). As for scrums and line-outs, they are different aspects of a rugby game. In a scrum, you are the center, the core, the basic caller, organizing what the pack does (you are also responsible for "hooking" the ball with your foot to your team). In line-outs, which is a penelty play, you are typically responsible for throwing the ball into play, which must be straight  in a tunnel (formed by the opposing teams) and high enough to reach the jumper on your team. As a hooker, you can't be afraid of close contact with people, as you are in the very center of the scrum and basically grabbed from all angles. Also, you do need to be fast, as to recover from being one of the last out of the scrum and also need to tackle well. I would typically do a lot of cardio (80 minutes is a long time to run around and be tackling people, gotta keep up!) and also I lift for full body, as you need strength in your legs, to shoulders, to arms ,to abs. EVERYWHERE. Eat well and balanced. And if you're not old enough to be having the post match party, make the game the ENTIRE party and have a blast :) Good luck!!!!

Answer 4

Well to be a hooker, you need to be the smartest forward.  It'll be your job to organize line-outs and scrums.  If either of those aspects of the game of weak, whether or not it's your fault, you'll be blamed.  Watch clips of Anton Oliver or John Smit  who are the two best hookers when it comes to line-out throwing (Smith) and scrummaging (Oliver).

Also, you should get good at running short balls in heavy contact.  That being said, you should NEVER be found in the 9-10 channel or the 10-12 channel.  That would be bad.

You should definitely find yourself in the gym lifting weights, good general strength is required, especially in your arms and your core which is where your line-out throwing power comes from.

When it comes to the post match party, you're job will be to be the 3rd best drinker, behind the tighthead and loosehead prop respectively