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Tactical, Physiological, Technical, Psychological, past lives - Coggle…
Tactical
Utilizing the blindside
There is two sides of each set piece in rugby being the open-side (where the larger amount of open space lies) and the blindside. Almost every set piece, the open-side is used so the blindside can be used tactically in order to surprise the opposition and potentially create a big chance. For example, as a flanker, especially a number 6 (blindside flanker), the blindside can be used well in the scrum for supporting a 'pick and go' or defending one. Also, the blindside can be utilized in the line-out to surprise the defense aswell.
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Rucking Strategies
A rugby player needs to develop a range of strategies for rucking, in order to be the most efficient in their efforts. For example, choosing not to complete for a ball in order to join the defensive line to make a tackle or standing to the side of the ruck to perform a charge-down against a box kick. This is important for me as my position requires heavy involvement in the rucks and my tall character is used a lot for charge-downs too.
Line-out
As a Flanker/Lock, I play a key role in the line-out for jumping and lifting. The line-out is an effective way to play/win the ball in a successful manor. I tend to be an impactful character in the line-out which could be thanks to my height and mass making it easier for me to lift and win the ball. My level of strength also helps me to lift people in the lien-out, which makes me a versatile character.
Physiological
Cardiovascular Endurance
A game of rugby at U17 lasts 70 minutes long with two halves of 35 minutes in length. This is a rather long period of time and as a flanker in rugby, I am required in lots of different positions in a game for example following the ball as a wide forward in order to defend the ball in the ruck scenario. This means that I need an enhanced level of cardiovascular endurance in order to be at those multiple different positions and doing so at a high intensity ,in order to play effectively, too.
Power
Power is represented by the equation: Strength x Speed. It is used in nearly every scenario in rugby, especially in my position of flanker. For example, carrying the ball in rugby - you need to be powerful with high strength and speed in order to make it more difficult for a defender to tackle you and in reverse, you need to be more powerful when defending in order to produce a dominant tackle; stopping the attacking from proceeding the gain line. Another example is jumping in the line-out which is required in my position as you need to jump as high as possible in order to win the ball easier.
Muscular Endurance
As the game of rugby lasts for a long period of time and it is also a game which requires much physical activity causing strain. This, therefore, means that an enhanced level of muscular endurance is needed in order to meet the conditions and play effectively in the game. Muscular endurance is defined as the ability to continuously contract the muscles against resistance over time and this can be seen in the game of rugby so there is a large importance for a rugby player to develop an enhanced level of muscular endurance.
Balance
Balance is extremely vital for a player in my position in multiple aspects. As I play flanker and lock, I will be jumping and lifting in the line-out. From a jumping sense, I need to be balanced in the air by maintaining a stable core so it is easier for the lifters to lift me in order for me to win the ball on attack and defense. In the scrum when I play lock, it is very important for me to stay balanced so the scrum does not collapse or push too early and give away a penalty as the lock provides the main pushing force behind the scrum's driving force.
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Speed
Speed is a very effective way to beat a defender in rugby. The ability to outpace a defender or attacker can give you a huge advantage when attacking and defending.
Technical
Jackaling
As a rugby flanker, I will have a large involvement in and around the rucks in the game either when trying to win a counter-ruck, defend one or charge-down an opposition's box kick. I need a good jackal technique in order to win the ball and gain a penalty for the team but this is paired with balance and strategies. I believe that I have a strength in this aspect of the game and I am still practicing in order to improve.
Tackle Technique
The importance of tackle technique is vital for a rugby player and especially a player in my position as that is because a flanker is required to make multiple tackles per game and many of these may be very strenuous on the body, especially when the attacker has a larger mass. These frequent tackles increase the chance of injury so ensuring that the tackle technique is impeccable so the chances of injury are decreased and chances of a dominant tackle being made.
Fending
The fend (hand-off) is an effective, if executed correctly, method of avoiding being tackled by a defender. The whole point is pushing the defender away from you with one arm so they cannot reach your body in order to tackle you. If one is more powerful and has more strength, especially in the upper body, then the fend method will be very useful. This method also allows a successful offload to be executed to a supporting teammate. This can make it a lot easier to break the gain line in order to score.
Passing Technique
The passing technique is important for every position to perfect as everyone on the pitch will have to pass the ball at some points, but some more than others. The passing technique is important as it makes it easier for the receiver of the pass in the play in progress. The aim of the pass is wanted to be in front of the receiver so they can run onto it and maintain momentum so the passage of play can progress quicker whereas if they receive your pass behind them then their speed will be disrupted and they need to focus on readjusting the ball which means it is easier for the defender to tackle the receiver.
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Psychological
Confidence
Rugby is a very physical game which can very easily lead to injury if actions are not completed correctly. Injuries do occur very often. This can bring down confidence levels in the game and it is very important to try and keep these levels high as the game requires a high amount of confidence in order to play effectively. It is, though, also very important not to be over-confident as then you may make insensible decisions which can possibly cause injury to you or lead to the opposition create a try-scoring opportunity if you are defending.
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Motivation
As a rugby player, you play a very physical game which can lead to injuries and there has been many examples in past cases before. On the confidence branch, I state how injuries can lead to a lack in confidence; this can also lead to a lack in motivation which is needed in order to want to play well as the game is very competitive. If one player in the team has a negative mindset about a game, then it can easily bring down the team as a whole and how they play so it is important to stay motivated and to motivate others in order to play at a high standard.
Concentration
Concentration is very important when playing rugby because it is a fast-paced game and there is usually multiple different things in progress at the same time. Also, you need to act quickly after the opposition has made a move so a high level of concentration is needed for example when a pick & go has been executed by the opposing attacking team, you need to react quickly in order to act upon it.
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