AKA: “The Boiler House”

Key Factors
Lineouts Second rows will be judged on their ability in the lineout on both their own and opposition throws. You have to be athletic in the jump with good ball skills to take the ball. Physical strength is required to keep the ball and use it effectively. On our own throw you know where the ball is going, so it is important to use this advantage. Communication with the hooker/thrower and the lifters is essential to put yourself in the best position to win the ball. This relationship is vital to secure possession. The opposition will attempt to spoil and take our ball. You have to be cool under pressure and have confidence in your own ability and those around you. If things are going wrong communicate and work out a solution. Variety can be used if you need it. If you are safely winning your own ball with the standard 2 and 4 jumpers you don’t need to worry too much about varying the tactics. The quick ball you win here in the lineout is among the best type of attacking ball for the team to use. The backs love to run onto quick lineout ball because they have up to 15m more space to get going before the defensive line come up. Clean lineout ball can also be caught and driven by the forwards. Both these options have their place in the armoury of the team. The scrum half is well positioned to direct the forwards and make the decisions so listen out for direction.

Scrummage
The second row is sometimes called the boiler house, you are the engine in the scrum. This analogy refers to the efforts of the second row in the scrummage. Your priority here is to give the front row the power to shift the opposition off the ball. Like tug of war or any other combined effort in strength, coordination and timing is required. Those who know least are unlikely to appreciate this skill, but the combined and coordinated push in the scrum is a highly skilled exercise where technique and timing will contribute hugely to your abilities. In France the scrum is an art form and pride is at stake. To take a ball against the head is an insult to the opposition’s manhood. You have to be composed and strong on your own put in and aggressive and disruptive on their put in. You contribute to the unit of the front five or tight five. Although a very traditional view, the idea that the whole game starts up front still holds water. If you can assert yourselves in the scrum you will have clean controlled possession on your own put in and can disrupt and put pressure on the opposition on their put in. This has psychological implications and is a basis on which to build the rest of the team’s performance. Focus and fitness are required. It is not acceptable to win their ball and lose our ball through either a lack of focus or lack of fitness. The second rows 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 skillls needed for this particular position are; technique and strength to maintain a solid scrum. Know the laws on scrummaging and seek advice from senior players in the club. Be aware of the different channels the ball can be hooked through and adjust your stance to suit.

Restarts
Similar to lineouts you should position yourself to catch the ball if it is coming in your direction. You may be lifted by your fellow players, but this takes considerable practice and is an advanced skill. The most important thing you must do is move quickly towards the ball make a loud confident call and take the ball safely. If you are not under pressure it is safer to catch the ball with your arms and body at an angle to reduce the chance of a knock on should you fumble. A perfect kick and pressure from attacking players may require a catch at arms length this requires higher skill level and is higher risk. Protect the ball from opposing tacklers and catchers and set up a ruck or maul. If you are not the catcher, move towards the catcher to support. 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 have some space, have a go and look for support. Don’t neglect your handling or running 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 second row’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 be fed 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. Don’t neglect the blindside! Second rows should not be defending or attacking on the wing or in the centre unless the play gets very broken (5th or 6th phase). Your duty in the majority of cases is to make impact at ruck and maul make hard yards driving forwards and take out hard running opposition forwards. You should not be hanging out when there is work to be done!!

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.

Second 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.