Scrum Half training

GerryRyan

Ok, so I've played schools rugby up until a year ago (took year off to do boxing ). Now I'm thinking of trying out for next years senior team - scrum half, cos I wouldn't have the build for flanker/2nd row by September.

Only trouble is, I've being playing as second row since I started, never even tried another position - and, being honest, the positions didn't take a lot of thinking when playing - I just covered well and worked on the lineout jumping etc

I have the 3 months of the summer to get my skills and the like ironed out:
Does anyone here know of any good sites with individual drills or moves to practise for scrum half?

Would be appreciated -

mikedragon32

Try the BBC Sport acadamy...

It's pretty basic but it's a start!

RFU Site(PDF) is better.

RuggieBear

how tall are you?
are you strong/tough?

Light second rows are brilliant as you can be lifted miles into the air.

Funkstard

Yeh one of the second rows on the SCT in my school this year was 6'3" or so but unbelievably skinny, yet he was one of our best players. If you've played second row all your career you might have your best shot at making the team there

GerryRyan

"how tall are you? are you strong/tough?" --- I'm 6'1" and 11stone - maybe a bit underweight but I'm not worryin about it And I can take a tackle/hit well enough. But the competition for next years 2nd rows nd the like is tough - I just don't have the build for it.

We have a fitness test on Tuesday (bleep test / bench press / leg strength / agility) for next years SCT - so I'll have an idea where I stand after that.

But as it is, I have my sights set on scrum half - so thanx for the links.

besty

Well I presume you will be fit/strong/tough if you've been doing boxing for the year, but I don't think it's wise to try and convert from 2nd row to scrum half. Not only will that require a whole new array of skills, you will need to fundamentally change your mindset in playing the game. A forward's instinct goes a long way and I think it would be difficult to curb that as a second row-come-scrum half. Also, opposing scrum halves will have been specialists all their "careers" so you could find yourself in trouble tactically (marking from scrums etc.) You would have to work on your pass obviously and your kicking. To be honest, I'd recommend you try for openside flanker. By the sounds of your build you might be a bit lightweight but if you're driven enough, you'll be fine!

shoutman

Are you fast? Would it be explosive pace?

I play Scrum Half having converted from flanker in second year.
It can be handy to have a decent sized scrum half such as yourself as it makes it a lot easier to disrupt opposition scrumhalfs at scrum time, I would definately work on box kicking as it can be an invaluable tool for a scrum half to have. Check out that Dwane peel passing lesson on the bbc link...
Also two of the most important things a scrum half must possess is good communication and vision, if you play scrum half you will be the link between the forwards and the backs and one of the most important players on the pitch, all good scrum halfs possess the same mentality and have to be ruthless.

I don't think your build is a problem if you are looking to play in the forwards however and training for scrum half might not be enough to get in the squad as you will have to get a lot of matchs at scrum half under your belt before being comfortable in the position.

well thats my 2 cents anyway,

thebaz

i played scrum half at schools, and the 2 attibutes you need is a good pass and good stamina. I converted from wing forward, and found the stamina really tough going, if as a scrum half you don't keep up with the play, you let the whole team down. Stringer does this well !, easier to get a few breathers at flanker , or in fact any other position. The other attribute you need is a good pass, i believe you either have this or not i.e. talent - you can work on this to improve though. I never played scrum half again after school , but maybe your boxing training should help with stamina, and strength , extra back rower -- van westhausen (spelt wrong) was the best scrum half i ever saw , and he had these attributes in bucketloads.

shoutman

Jesus Baz I when I converted from the back row I thought the exact opposite. Well rather I thought playing back row was a lot more tiring the playing scrumhalf. Scrumhalf it is essential to get around the park and get to every ruck and maul but you arent making half as much hits especially hitting rucks which is definately one of the most tiring things to be doing on the pitch.

smashey

Having played at second row myself for quite a few years, I applaud your intentions. If your handling skills are up to it, your tactical awareness is high and you practice your box kick, there may be a chance. In my experience, forwards weren't too handy when it came to 'spinning it out wide'. Our mindset was more of what we have, we hold, followed by a bit of crash bang wallop.

GerryRyan

smashey wrote:

If your handling skills are up to it, your tactical awareness is high and you practice your box kick, there may be a chance.

Ok, the handling is up to scratch - not long passes, but accurate - I'll be working on that anyway.

The tactical awareness bit is what gets me tho - as I was saying before - when in the forwards it didn't take a lot of thinking, the backs pretty much dictated the plays. I just rucked and covered well - stuck to my job.

Other than match experience, how can you get better at decision making?

smashey

I think it comes down to the different mindsets. The scrum half is the link between forwards and backs. I'm thinking taking the ball from the lineout, feeding the scrum, hassling the other scrum half at opposition scrums, directing mauls, being at the back of every ruck, when to kick, pass, run (snipe), defence etc. Have a word with a scrum half at your club and watch a few games while paying particular attention to the scrum half. I would be interested to know how you get on.