Should I start propping?

steelbar

Is it too late for me to learn how to prop?
I usually play in the 2nd row but last night filled in as a loose head on the scrum machine,apparently my body and feet positions were alright.
I know its totally different on the machine.
Im 29, just under 6'4" and around 18.5 stone, and I dont jump(or even get lifted) in the lineout
If i was going to condsider switching, which would i be better going for, tight or loose?

redroar1942

Look Tony I know you've gotten a bit of stick the last 5 years but stick with it, you're just coming good.

Daragh86

Its never too late, the more the merrier!

In saying that though, safety is a big issue especially coming into the front row in senior rugby. Just make sure your comfortable in every scrum before you go down, if your not then get out of there until you find out what the problem is and fix it.

Go out to the scrum machine yourself and practise the hit and footwork. I'm sure you know body positioning but its different when your hitting against something or someone.

Basically just make sure your comfortable and take your time.

I don't claim to be an expert on front row but if you need to know more PM me.

I recommend loose head, less technical. Although depending on technique tighthead might suit.

stephen_n

What level do you play at?

ormondprop

its never too late and they say props don't hit there prime till around that age anyway, but i would do a few sessions with a scrummaging coach before playing a game, a machine is really only good for timing and getting a hit to learn good technique you'll be better off doing one on one scrummaging with a another prop and then build it to 3 on 3 and then when your comfortable play a game and see how u get on,
we're lucky enough to have a very good scrummaging coach at our club and if we're ever having trouble its always right back to the basics doing one on one scrummaging, even starting off on your knees getting the bind and then both working to get your knees up off the ground without putting your hands on the ground for support, a good technique will beat brute force and ignorance anyday.

steelbar

stephen_n wrote: »

What level do you play at?

Playing J1/J2.

Thanks for the replies, have some thinking to do and will have to have a chat with the coaches.

My neck isnt the best from an injury sustained 5 years ago, that would be my biggest concern

boredatwork82

At 6'4" and only 18 stone you may have a problem. I am 6'3" and have always played prop and my playing weight has been between 18 and 23 stone over the years.
Tall props generally need to be a lot heavier to combat the ease with which shorter props can get underneath you.
Technique is very hard to work on a tall prop.
As someone said a scrum machine is easier, wait until you are up against a 5 foot nothing prop who has been propping all his life. He'll have you in a hoop.

If you do decide to make the move, best of luck, get into the gym and do your legs and core. Your neck will be sore for a month or two but after a while it'll be grand.

stephen_n

steelbar wrote: »

Playing J1/J2.

Thanks for the replies, have some thinking to do and will have to have a chat with the coaches.

My neck isnt the best from an injury sustained 5 years ago, that would be my biggest concern

J1/J2 is fairly high to start at you could talk to your club about maybe dropping down a level while you learn. All depends on getting a good coach to show you the ropes though!

Pixelcraft

Find out if it's J1 or J2 also, as they're different scrummaging rules. If you're taught properly go for it, just make sure you know exactly what you're doing - it's one thing on a machine, another entirely in a game

steelbar

Thanks for all the replies guys, its much appreciated
I managed to injure my ankle there on saturday, so wont be doing anything for a while im afraid.
But am going to give it a try when i get back,if it doesnt work out I can go back to the 2nd row!