“It all starts up front”

First principles
You are a Rugby Player. Therefore you should be proficient in ball handling, tackling, ball retention in contact, and have knowledge of the game.

Key Factors
Scrummage A prop will always be judged on ability in the scrum, being able to retain ball on our own put in and exert pressure on the opposition put in. In French rugby, scrummaging is an art and the players take great pride in their abilities, they and the Argentines are probably the hardest scrummagers in the world and they take it as an insult if their own ball is taken. We need to take pride in this part of our game! The props should be physically strong, in particular core strength to withstand the pressure in the scrum and powerful back and legs and upper body to drive the scrum forward. The skills needed for this particular position are; technique and strength to maintain a solid scrum, and give the the hooker a clear view of the ball for opponents put in. You need to be organised and have a set routine when setting up for a scrum. On the opposition put-in you should aim to exert pressure on the opposing hooker and push them off the ball. You should try to control the height of the scrum to suit your own hooker. Your job is to allow your own hooker to win the ball and make his job as easy as possible. Know the laws on scrummaging and seek advice from senior players in the club. There are differences between the tight head and loose head props and the art of front row play are best learnt from an old master. Hookers need to know the laws on front row play and concentrate on technique and timing. Striking for the ball is your specialty here and you need to let the props know what you want. You must also be able to use channels 1, 2, and 3 in the scrum depending on what you want to do with the ball. Do your homework on this phase.

Lineouts
Hookers usually throw the ball in and will be judged on the count of lineouts won on your own throw. The throw needs to be straight and accurate and timed perfectly for the catcher. This takes practice and teamwork. Once the ball is thrown the hooker should get into a useful position. If the ball is caught and driven or rucked you must join the forwards and win the ball. If the ball has gone straight out to the backs get out in support and look for the next breakdown. On the opponents throw you will be responsible for dominating the area inside the touch line and five metre line. Any players driving down this channel are your responsibility. Any tapped ball at the front of the opposition lineout you should get through and secure.

The props main role will be to support and lift the ball catcher in the line out. On our own throw you have the advantage of knowing where the ball will go. Make sure you use this advantage and get the catcher to where he wants to be at the right time. Practice makes perfect. On the opposition throw you should be alert for where the opposition are throwing to and lift your catcher accordingly. This role requires timing and awareness and will improve with experience. If the ball is thrown to a different part of the lineout be ready to react to whatever happens. If the ball is caught and driven you need to drive hard forwards with the ball under our control. For all players the priority is to keep the ball safe and release it on demand to the scrum half.

Restarts
Similar to lineouts you should position yourself to support and protect the ball catcher. This will often be a second row or loose forward, and occasionally you may need to lift the catcher. This takes considerable practice and is an advanced skill. The most important thing you must do is move quickly towards the ball catcher and prepare to set the ball up ie. Protect the ball catcher and ball from opposing tacklers and catchers. This is the case from kick-offs and 22m drop outs. If a poor kick or grubber kick is played towards you, make a clear call to your team mates and take the ball. If you are under pressure you should set the ball up a ruck or maul. If you have some space, have a go and look for support. Don’t neglect your handling skills (see next point)

Around the Park You are a rugby player and need to have the skills to contribute to open play. Handling the ball and tackling in open play add hugely to a prop’s or hooker’s contribution to the team.

The Breakdown
You are part of the tight 5 and as such will often arrive at the next breakdown (2nd phase) after the loose forwards. Although there are several possibilities here your main duty here is get stuck in and drive forward. If the ball is still being contested either coming our way or possibly going towards the opposition you can often win the ball for your team. If you think the ball can be won get stuck in with 100% commitment and make the ball ours (see next two points rucking and mauling). Only if the ball is clearly won or lost, should you position yourself for the next play. If we clearly have the ball, you should prepare yourself to follow the play to the next breakdown (3rd phase). Occasionally you will recieve the ball as a runner to drive forward over the gain line and set the ball up when you get stopped. If you make clear ground look for players in support.

If the opposition have clearly won the ball, you should position yourself in the defensive line to cover the likely plays. The defensive line is at the back foot of the ruck/maul and is the same as the offside line. Don’t cross this until the ball is out or you will concede penalties. You are on the front line and should be able to deal with any hard running forwards. The defensive line of tacklers should advance together as a line and react to the opposition. A broken or crooked line is weak and can be easily penetrated by hard running opposition. These players should be stopped and if possible driven backwards. The ball is the focus. Try to take the ball from the opposition with cooperation from your team mates. Be conscious of the opposition numbers and attempt to read their play. If they have strong runners waiting to drive the ball forwards get in line ready. Two or three tacklers can take out an opposition runner and take the ball if their technique is correct. Again communication is essential. Let your players know where the opposition are and match the defence.

Rucking
If the ball is on the floor in a ruck situation, the aim is to drive in hard and low and drive the other team off the ball. Be conscious of coming in from the behind the back foot and stay on your feet. If you dive over the ball, handle the ball or enter the ruck from the side you will give away a penalty. Good technique, commitment and teamwork are essential for quick clean ball. Any lack of these qualities will result in slow, poor quality ball or a turn over. If the ball is visible at the back use your feet to roll the ball backwards. If the scrum half is not available you can either pass, pick and drive, or bridge over holding the ball in the ruck until the scrum half is ready. Once the ball is either handled or picked the opposition defensive line can advance to the ball and make tackles.

Mauling
If the ball is held in a maul you should drive in hard and aim to secure the ball for your own team. You may choose to go for the ball directly and rip it free or you may choose to go for an opponent. An opposition player with a hand or arm on the ball, should be pulled away from the ball. Drive him bodily or pull his hands or fingers off the ball and the ball will come easily to one of you team mates. You are not permitted to pull a man out of the ruck or maul. Communication is essential for players to effectively maul the ball. If you all go for the ball you will start to fight each other. Keep your ears and eyes open and listen to players around you.

Front row players have to do the basic tight phases well and then get as involved in the game as much as they can in the 2nd and 3rd phases etc. In every match there will be chances for both big tackles and running with the ball in open play. Aim to contribute in all areas. You need to be fit for this.