Secrets of the Front Row - Better Binding
The power of the binding between front row players is an important part of winning and losing games.
... of better binding
So, what are the benefits of a strong front row binding?
- If you split the front row, you lose the focus of the power.
- It gives the second row a more solid base from which to push.
- If the hooker was not held securely, he could not be strike for the ball because he would fall over.
- It improves the freedom of movement of the hooker.
Front row binding
- The hooker is bound in SECURELY by the props, yet able to swing the feet for the ball.
- The arm of the tight-head (right) prop is over the arm of the loose-head (left) prop.
- The hips of the props are in line with their shoulders. Consequently the shove from the second row will go forward.
Binding psychology
- The players need to think about the bind being a quick and efficient process. They must be comfortable with the system of binding and work easily together.
- The two pillars are the two props. They provide a stable platform from which the hooker supports themselves. If the hooker is not comfortable, rethink the binding.
- The higher the bind (where the hand grips the shirt), the more it keeps the hooker square.
- The players need to "lock the hand in". That is, put the hand into the shirt and then twist it to get a strong bind.
What is a good step by step way to bind for a strong scrum?
- The hooker gets into position first.
- Normally the loose-head binds onto the hooker first. The loose-head:
- approaches the hooker from behind
- reaches around, grabs the hooker's shirt and arrives into position.
- The tight-head binds next. The tight-head:
- approaches the hooker from behind
- reaches in and grabs the hooker's shirt, though lower than loose-head, and arrives into position.
Good practices for stronger binding
Grip work: Squeezy weights, such as handgrips, "Eggsercizer Hand Exerciser" and "Power Webs", which can be used by front row players when they are not team training.
Binding positions: Try out different binding positions on the hooker for maximum strength. Different body shapes might mean different binds.
This article is taken from Secrets of the Front Row, my ground-breaking coaching and skills manual that shows you how to get more power from your scrum and deliver top quality first phase ball. Click here to read more about it and to order.