Winger tips?

Question

Hey, it looks like I'm playing winger this weekend. I'm usually a flanker, and have only played wing a couple of times. Lineouts are especially confusing for me while playing winger, because I'm usually either jumping in them or am in the back fielding overthrown balls. Any tips at all would be helpful.

Answer 1

Learn evasion tactics such as side stepping and try and look for gaps as muchas possible to make a break for yourself as you can generally be a bit more selfish on the wing as there is often no one to pass to. You should also try and work on your tackling as well as you could often be the second last line of defence or the lst line if you are covering fullback while you fullback is in attack. In regards to lineouts  you should stay back if you are on the blindside and watch for the kick if the opposition is in defence or look for the blindside play. If your team gets the ball from the lineout and your on the blindside you dont really have to do much unless your team is going for the kick or you cover your fullback if he goes into attack. If your on the openside just watch what your teammates are doing and get ready for a play or to run up for defence if the opposition gets the ball. In regards to running technique i think that it would be beter to run high knees as they suggest in athletics to mae you go faster and it will probably make it a bit harder for he oposition to tackle seeing those knees coming up to his head but i'm not totally sure on that.

Answer 2

Good wingers go looking for the ball. This means that should should offer yourself as an inside ball option while attacking, but make sure that if the ball is turned over u get straight back to your wing.

Good luck

Answer 3

tips for playing wing just stand out on the side and look good for all the spectators lol  on attack come of your wing and look to do some work maybe take a hit up off the ruck or take a hit up off the first five ,be active get involved chase every kick down  keep busy on defence stand outside your mark never give your mark room to move outside you and stay on him dont come in to tackle the center stick like glue to your mark keep in contact with your center at all times keep each other honest and when you get into some space  just run hard  as hard as you can

Answer 4

Master Side-stepping & Run good angles

Check out Shane Williams who plays for Wales & the Ospreys.

He is a very good example of how sheer pace and quick feet cannot be defended against effectively. As a winger your objective is to always beat the first tackler and be on hand for support. Chasing high balls from your fly-half is also one of the roles of a winger. Putting the opposition under pressure.

During lineouts to the other team just keep your eyes on your opposite number/winger as he or she is your main threat. If it's your throw-in, you might be expected to move in-field to find mis-matches against slower forwards.

______________________

In response to your additional details, show the defender where YOU want them to go and beware of the touch-line being used against you. High knees if your path is clear and it's a straight run in otherwise keep your paces shorther but more frequent to allow yourself the ability to 'step in' the defense if it's scrambling to cover you. You need to know who you can beat.

If you can talk to your coach on a personal level, don't be afraid to ask him questions.

Hope this is ok ;)

Answer 5

Winger is an easy position to learn, as you have a set spot to defend, which never changes. Any time that the ball is not in open play, you need to be in that spot ready to take the ball. The most important skill to learn in attack is sidestepping, to get around the defender, and I would suggest that you get one of your backs to teach you this. If your team is anything like mine, you will have lots of different back line moves involving cutting different lines, with the ball going to a variety of different players - make sure you learn these, as you are not going to be an effective player in attack if you dont know what is going on! As a flanker you will be always ready to get involved in a breakdown, but often as a winger you will be more use to the team if you hang back to take the ball out of the back of a ruck/maul off your scrum half.

Answer 6

As a winger in lineouts you really don't (and shouldn't be) doing that much. When you're on the open side, you just stand way outside everybody else. When you're on the blind side, just stand behind the lineout and follow the ball across the backline (covering what the rest of the backs are doing).