Rugby Advice

Having been a fan of the sport for a few years I thought I would give it a go. Having only played briefly at school, what advice can you give me and any other rugby novices?

Well, where are you in life? School, Uni or work?

Working full time having finished Uni. Signed up to play at uni but ended up drunk/hung over most of the time and missed pretty much all bar one training session.  

There may well be a local club, which is usually good to start playing. If you know any rugby players in your area ask them to take you along

Sam wrote:Working full time having finished Uni. Signed up to play at uni but ended up drunk/hung over most of the time and missed pretty much all bar one training session.  

Not sure what your local teams will be like, but most tend to have a 3rd or 4ths team which is pretty much a 'turn up and play' scheme. It's designed more for the working folk who can't always make weekday training sessions, but wish to play the odd game every other weekend or so. These are great teams to get involved in. Everyone's there for a laugh, and the standard is low, but it's a good way to develop match fitness and practice the game.

bluestonevedder wrote:

Sam wrote:Working full time having finished Uni. Signed up to play at uni but ended up drunk/hung over most of the time and missed pretty much all bar one training session.  

Not sure what your local teams will be like, but most tend to have a 3rd or 4ths team which is pretty much a 'turn up and play' scheme. It's designed more for the working folk who can't always make weekday training sessions, but wish to play the odd game every other weekend or so. These are great teams to get involved in. Everyone's there for a laugh, and the standard is low, but it's a good way to develop match fitness and practice the game.

Found a club, just a bit anxious as I'm pretty much a beginner.

No worries, I doubt you'll be the only one!

Yeh, really doubt you'll be the only beginner, especially at this time of the season!

Give it a go mate, I'm sure you'll enjoy it.

Oh, and let us know how you get on!

Really don't worry about the standard. Most clubs have a thirds/fourths team and to start with you don't have to play (although once you're over the nerves the actual matches are the best thing about the sport) just go along to training and enjoy yourself.

Just remember that without you and others like you there wouldn't be a rugby club, they'll be greatfull you turned up!

Let us know how you get on mate.

Oh and my geography isn't the best but isn't Haywards Heath close to Tunbridge Wells? If it is they have a very good club.

Best advice I can give you is too stay away for a few weeks. Pre season training in full swing at the moment and it's murder. Wait till middle of September when 3rds/4ths start to rouse themselves. Bring beer money.

Submachine wrote:Best advice I can give you is too stay away for a few weeks. Pre season training in full swing at the moment and it's murder. Wait till middle of September when 3rds/4ths start to rouse themselves. Bring beer money.

Went last night and it was a killer, no contact just skills and fitness.

Think my anxiety comes from the thought of contact and getting injured/injuring someone else by doing the wrong thing, especially as I'm new to the group.

Sam wrote:

Submachine wrote:Best advice I can give you is too stay away for a few weeks. Pre season training in full swing at the moment and it's murder. Wait till middle of September when 3rds/4ths start to rouse themselves. Bring beer money.

Went last night and it was a killer, no contact just skills and fitness.

Think my anxiety comes from the thought of contact and getting injured/injuring someone else by doing the wrong thing, especially as I'm new to the group.

Unfortunately, that is exactly the thing that will cause a problem. It's a bit of a chicken and egg situation in that your confidence will only grow as get involved in contact, but your technique may suffer until you get confidence. There is no way round it however, from your own point of view minor injuries are inevitable as even the most experienced player will pick up knocks. Regarding injuring others, they are all big boys and can look out for themselves.
Try and ask the coach for some one on one coaching re tackling as this is by far the riskiest element of the game. The thoughts of taking on a big guy at speed might be daunting but with the correct technique you will be fine. Also very important to learn to take a tackle, to hit the ground correctly.
Having said all of that the physicality must appeal to you or you would take up tiddly winks. It could be more excitement and anticipation rather than anxiety. The first time you absolutely nail someone in a tackle though... wow. It's a kind of Christmassy feeling thats very hard to describe.
It's all the adrenaline and the rush of a fight with none of the drawbacks. You're more likely to be congratulated by your oponent than get any grief.

Submachine wrote:The first time you absolutely nail someone in a tackle though... wow. It's a kind of Christmassy feeling thats very hard to describe.
It's all the adrenaline and the rush of a fight with none of the drawbacks.

That is one of the best descriptions I have ever read.  Absolutely spot on.  I've been playing for about 150 years now, and that feeling never goes away!

doctor_grey wrote:

Submachine wrote:The first time you absolutely nail someone in a tackle though... wow. It's a kind of Christmassy feeling thats very hard to describe.
It's all the adrenaline and the rush of a fight with none of the drawbacks.

That is one of the best descriptions I have ever read.  Absolutely spot on.  I've been playing for about 150 years now, and that feeling never goes away!

 

Sam wrote:

Submachine wrote:Best advice I can give you is too stay away for a few weeks. Pre season training in full swing at the moment and it's murder. Wait till middle of September when 3rds/4ths start to rouse themselves. Bring beer money.

Went last night and it was a killer, no contact just skills and fitness.

Think my anxiety comes from the thought of contact and getting injured/injuring someone else by doing the wrong thing, especially as I'm new to the group.

Anxiety is good it gets the adrenaline going. Once you make that first tackle you'll feel like you are walking on air. Don't hesitate or hold back in the contact, try and smash your opponent into the ground...that's the best way to ensure both theirs and your own safety.

Tackling is pretty easy from a technique perspective just try and get your head in the right position.

I wish I saw this post earlier, I'm in exactly the same boat!

I trained a little at school and stopped when I was about 14, I'm 25 now and decided to start playing again.

I had the same anxieties, not sure if I'd be fit enough, worried I'd not be strong enough and get hurt.

BUT I've found myself training with the 1st and 2nd squads (3rd and 4ths are yet to emerge) and so far I've managed to survive the preseason fitness and our first contact session.

Hope your season is going just as good and just keep at it, even if you're not there technically, just get back up and show the coaches and the other players that you don't give up and you will just keep trying and trying.

my advice is to get stuck in, and try not to think about injuring yourself as I know this sounds kind of weird but I have found if I have held back in contact due to protecting an injury or when I was younger because I was scared I would more likely injure myself. as long as you learn the correct technique and I am sure the guys there will help you then once you are out on the field with the adrenaline then making that first hit will make you feel brilliant, in many ways it is better than scoring a try.

in terms of injuring someone else that happens and there are no hard feelings (well you may get a bit of abuse off your team mates, especially if you cause a pretty good player to go to casualty, get stitches and be out for the first match of the season, but I don't know who would do that  )

actually main advice, have fun, and if you have any troubles just ask anyone here, they are a great bunch I think? 

Second training session yesterday, again no contact which was a shame - I just want to get on with it and involved!

Contact next week as we have a pre-season/trial game on the Saturday. Was told I would play some of the game on the flank and some in the centre. Bring it on!

Sam, welcome to the forum. I empathise with your situation; I started playing in my thirties. I'll try to keep the advice brief.
Jim Telfer said, "There are two kinds of rugby players; the honest ones and all the rest." Be honest with your team-mates and you will earn their respect, and the loss of that will hurt much more than any injury.
Injury; my no1 son talked me into coming out of retirement last season at 55  I was worried about injuries but as he is a personal trainer he has made me work on core strength to support knees and shoulders so I managed to avoid the sort of sprains and twists which bedevilled my earlier playing days. 80% of injuries occur in the last 20 minutes when you are tired and slow to respond. Be as fit as you can be even if this means spending a few quid on a trainer for a few weeks. You will still get hurt, Sam, but that's rugby.
Equipment; shoulder pads and a scrum-cap will help. You will feel more confident and most of it is in the mind.
Team-mates There is no game in the world like rugby for forming a strong bond, even with opponents, but you need to earn respect. You don't need to be the best player on the pitch, just be honest and put the effort in.
Fear No1 son boxed at a decent level before starting rugby and when I asked him to compare them he said he was more afraid on a rugby field than ever he was in the ring. We're all scared at some point, Sam, just use that fear to pump adrenaline. As Robert Louis Stevenson said, "Share your courage with others, keep your fears to yourself."
Have fun, make friends, drink lots of beer. 
Let me know how your season pans out.

Excellent post. Go you! At 55.

I wouldn't dream of playing. So many niggles. I would get lashed out of it.

jimbopip wrote:Sam, welcome to the forum. I empathise with your situation; I started playing in my thirties. I'll try to keep the advice brief.

 
Wow great effort.

I haven't played since school, but I'm pretty sure I'd be too small for the game now. That, plus I'm unfit.

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:I haven't played since school University, but I'm pretty sure I'd be too small for the game now. That, plus I'm unfit sh!t.

 
+ 1

Sam how did the contact training session go last night? Still in one piece?

jimbopip wrote:Sam how did the contact training session go last night? Still in one piece?

Again no contact work despite being told last week we would, which could make the trial game this weekend very interesting... Just going to throw myself into it and make sure I watch some instructional videos!!!

Got some shoulder pads off eBay so I'm raring to go!

1 beer pre match, works a treat at calming the nerves. The ground'll be hard this time of year so be ready for it. Don't hesitate, if it's on run with the ball, if you have to tackle do it and feel king kong like later. The more involved you force yourself to be the better in the long run  

Good luck!

Agree with everything yappysnap says except the beer comment. Personally it's a no-no. Tried it once when playing football felt dreadful.
As we say in Glasgow; get tore intae them. have fun.

Remember to enjoy it, accept you'll get injured from time to time (women love a few scares) and put your body on the line for your team mates, then you'll fit in fine. 

Good luck Sam with your game tomorrow!
I've got my first game tomorow too and I can't wait.

Hopefully we will both have something to celebrate tomorrow!

Read, Sam, come on lads tell all. We are waiting.

Sorry lads! Been a bit busy, hope your game went well Sam!

It was a mixed bag for me at the weekend, instead of 1 game, we had a mini tournament of 8 sides playing. The 8 teams were in 2 groups of 4, with the winners of each group competing in the final.

It started well for us, winning our first 2 games and came down to a decider in our 3rd game, with the winner progressing to the final. Unfortunately a mistake by the ref cost us a try in the 3rd game and we were knocked out..

On a personal note I got 1 and a half games. It was great to get a run out, but lack of much contact training in preseason probably showed as I should have been stronger in defense.
I can learn from the experience though, and needless to say I'll be focusing on defense this week in training.

In case anyone is wondering about the ref's mistake; the referee had picked up an injury and when the opposition knocked on, he left the field and was replaced by another ref during the stoppage.
Unfortunately thanks to error/miscommunication the scrum was handed to the opposition and they scored off the first phase.

Sickening at the time, but these things happen, and on another day maybe a ref's mistake will hand us a game  

Played 80 mins on the wing although not really quick enough. Conceded 1 try my side but it was a 3/4 on 1 situation for them. Made a few carries, got a bit bored with a lack of ball so hit rucks whenever they were over my side of the field.

Really want to play on the flank, but need to get some more practice in, I'll play where ever just to get some game experience in.

Oh also we won, 31-28.

Sam, they'll probably keep you on the wing just so you can get used to the game and running with the ball, tackling etc.

One bit of advice from hat you've said, if there's a ruck near you and the forwards haven't got there then by all means get involved but if they're arriving, hang back as you'll be out of position massively.

Just had my 3rd pre season match, my right shoulder feels like i've been Cipriani for the day and tackling bus after bus

Sam, my only advice is to not worry if your body feels in bits 2 days after a game - I felt fine yesterday but today I can barely walk, move my neck or my arms!

Why do we play this sport again??

Well done, Sam. gcBlues is probably correct and a short spell on the wing is on the cards. Don't be too dismissive of the wing it requires a lot of concentration and if you tune into it you'll score some tries. Or you'll be out of position a lot and get the blame for everything. Good luck.

Best play the wing now before the rain comes in... No one wants that (shudder).

yappysnap wrote:Best play the wing now before the rain comes in... No one wants that (shudder).

Might help slow down my opposite number though!

First training session last night in which we hit some pads, asked some of the guys to tell me what was wrong with my body positioning. Was useful, fingers crossed I can make sure I'm in that position when in games.

Well I need to be careful what I wish for!.. Hoped to have more contact training to work on my defense, now I'm out of the game this weekend with cracked ribs!

Has anyone had experience of cracked ribs? Any idea how long it will be until I get back in to training?

Anyone know what the stud rules are in rugby? I have a pair of quite heavy boots clearly designed for soft ground (large studs on them) I got off one of my friends who used to play no.8.

Am looking at some more lightweight boots designed for firm ground, been looking at these: http://www.prodirectsoccer.com/Products/Mizuno-Football-Boots-Mizuno-Ignitus-2-MD-Soccer-Cleats-PearlBlueBlack-55012.aspx but not sure if they are legal or not?

Anyone have any recommendations as to where to buy CHEAP boots online?

Cheers!

Sam, if you're playing onthe wing football boots with MOULDED studs are fine, as long as the ground is not too boggy. Otherwise you need proper rugby studs which you can buy separately from any boots which take screw- ins. If you are a flanker/back then the high ankle type boots would probably slow you down. I got this season's boots, low slung very flash to my eternal shame , from Sports Direct reduced from eighty something for about £25. They don't make me run any faster though.

I have had cracked ribs now for nearly a year, tore some cartiladge originally, and took nearly 4 weeks to start training again only to bruise the ribs in the first session (non contact). I have not been able to shake the pesky injury since, but ice compression and rest does the trick pretty well in most cases, maybe a week, maybe a month it tends to be different with everyone.

jimbopip wrote:Sam, if you're playing onthe wing football boots with MOULDED studs are fine, as long as the ground is not too boggy. Otherwise you need proper rugby studs which you can buy separately from any boots which take screw- ins. If you are a flanker/back then the high ankle type boots would probably slow you down. I got this season's boots, low slung very flash to my eternal shame , from Sports Direct reduced from eighty something for about £25. They don't make me run any faster though.

Hey jim, cheers for the reply. The boots I currently have are not high ankle boots, but are quite heavy and have proper rugby studs on. However due to how firm the ground is these are really uncomfortable, so was going to save them for when its a bit wetter.

What are moulded studs?  are the boots I pasted a link to suitable? Or are those 'blades'... I have no clue  

Those mizuno boots are fine, they're 'mouldies' aka rubber moulded studs. But there's no point getting them now as when the ground's wet you'll slip all over the place. They're best for firm/hard grounds, when it's muddy and wet they don't have any grip.

Get a pair for spring/summer and then a regular pair with metal studs for winter, that's what i have and would recommend that.