A rugby hooker
plays
in the middle of the
front row
of the scrum in a rugby game. What do
you do and what you need to play
well as a hooker.
Position
in the team
15
players are on the
rugby field at any one time.
This includes 8
forwards...
...of those forwards, 3
are front
row...
...one
of
these is the hooker...
...with
a prop on either side...like this...
Rugby hooker
The shape
of the
player icons...
...indicates the
physique needed!
The
more the props resemble cubes
the better!
Hookers
can be
anything...
...but tend to be smaller
versions of props.
Lots
of muscle
is good.... Tough
is good... Strong
is good... Intimidating
is good.
A short,
thick,
muscular neck is good...
...no neck at
all...excellent...
...because of all the pressure
and twisting
in the scrum
Lower
body is
important...
...flexibility...
...agility...
...co-ordination...are
required...
...to get into position
in the scrum...
...to strike at...
...and win the ball
Rugby
hooker - in the scrum
The
scrum... ...restarts
play after rules are breached in a minor way.
It`s
a contest for possession
of the ball...
...a small advantage
going to the non-offending team.
When
a scrum is
formed...
...the 8 forwards from
each team...
...bind
together into a
pack of players
.
The match official says...
...
"crouch...touch...pause...ENGAGE!"...
...the
two opposing packscrash
together...
...the head and necks (if
any) of
the two front rows...
...mesh
together.
The props
in
each team take
most of the strain...
...and
the hooker is right there
with them!
The scrum-half
...
...puts
the ball into the tunnel
between the opposing packs...
..and the hooker...
...gets it out again...using
feet only!
The small
advantage
mentioned above...
...is that the side
putting in the
ball...
...always gets
"the loose head" as well.
(means the ball is put
in at the left where the loose head prop is)
The result
is that...
...when
the ball is put in
the tunnel...
the hooker
of...
...the
non-offending team...
...is nearer the
ball
than the other hooker...
...and so usually gets the ball.
The hooker "hooks"
the
ball backwards...
...using only feet...
...and the ball emerges
at the back
of the scrum
Rugby hooker
-
in the line-out
The line-out
restarts play after the ball has "gone into touch".
Hookers
are not
actually in the line-out...
...but play a vital part...
...they throw the ball in.
Line-outs
are
frequent in rugby...
...soyou
must get... ...a
good
share of possession...
...especially..
.
..from your own throw.
The
hooker of
the
non-offending team...
...(the offending team put the ball into
touch)
...throws
the ball..
....along the imaginary line between the two rows
of
the line-out...
....to the position where...
...the jumpers are waiting
...and
so the team gets a small
advantage...(knowing where it`s going)
Important
for the
hooker are...
...good
communication with the other forwards...
...accurate throwing
skills...down
the line and correct height/speed...
...and good observation
and timing...the
jumpers must ready!
There is
also a defensive
role in the line-out.
There is a 5-metre gap
between
the touch-line...
...and the front of the
line-out...
The
rugby hooker
must declare and enforce... ...none
shall pass!
Rugby
hooker - in general play
Hookers
vary in size in relation to the other forwards...
...but they are forwards...
...and
need to be competitive and
take pride... ... in being
tough
They work hard...
...
to carry
the
ball forwards...
...often against strong opposition...
...aiming
to make ground and... ...tire opponents
Hookers
must...
... co-operate
well with other forwards...
...so skills needed are...
...in
mauling...
...and rucking...
... which wear down...
...and break opposition defences
They take
pride in defensive skills which allow them...
...to use
strength and endurance
...to repel
opposition forwards...
Playing hooker...
...is about...
...
strength...size...technique...
...skills...endurance and pride
And the best
rugby hookers if
ever asked...
...might agree with
me and say...
.
..learn to
sidestep!
Just imagine...
...a metre out
from the line...
....sidestep!...
. ..over
you go...TRY
it...is possible