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Welcome to Better Rugby Coaching Issue 96
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A guide on how to play number 8
(Part 1)

Playing number eight means so many different things to different players. For Martin Corry, former, present or future England captain, depending on which day of the week it is, (or sometimes what stage of the game perhaps), it means hardnosed go forward. Zinzan Brook, the imperious New Zealander, a more creative role and for your mighty number 8?

Peter Tann, one of the regular columnists in Rugby Coach newsletter, gives us a coaching insight into this vital position.

General Qualities

Whilst a No 8 may well excel in several areas, and may even be Zinzan Brooke and kick drop goals from 40 metres, there is no doubt that there is a range of core duties that a No 8 has to fulfil if he is to be truly effective.

It is these demands that should be considered in selecting and developing the No 8. He must:

• Be a key ball winner in loose play – don’t let your No 8 stand off
  every ruck and maul.
• Be a creative and skilful ballhandler i.e. he should be able to create opportunities for other players and put them through/allow them to exploit gaps (Look at Michael Owen’s lofted pass for Shane Williams to score against England in the Six Nations). The No 8 should be looking to get his hands on the ball more than any other forward.
• Be a key ball carrier. As well as creating for others through his handling skills, there will be times when the No 8 creates opportunities by directly challenging the defence through his running with the ball in hand. Consider the impact that a powerful runner player such as Scott Quinnell of Wales or David Lyons of Australia can have in creating space for others by breaking the defensive line and drawing in defenders.
• Play effectively off the back of the scrum – this means making the
  right decisions about when and where to call a specific move and
  also performing the necessary skills quickly and effectively (see Scrums).
• Be a sound defender, both individually and as part of the back
  row. Not only does this mean being a sound tackler, it also means
  understanding his defensive role from scrums and lineouts. The No 8 should have a high tackle count!
• Be able to read the game and play ‘off the cuff’ – look at Martin
  Corry’s reaction to the Irish defensive lapse in the Six Nation’s game in Dublin this year!
  

The No 8 should aim, both in attack and defence, to be within a pass of the ball.

I particularly encourage the No 8 to go forward in defence as he would in
attack, looking for the ball and the opposition rather than waiting for them to come to him.

The No 8 may also be used as lineout jumper. This will restrict his loose play from a lineout and obviously he must be able to win his own ball and deliver it effectively to the scrum-half.

Scrums

As indicated above, the ability of the No 8 to challenge the defence through his running and handling is very important, and an obvious area to do this is from the base of the scrum. However, this is not just a matter of developing a wide range of moves and having a quick No 8!

The No 8’s handling skills are as important, his ability to breach the defence by passing to another player having drawn in or beaten defenders. Many of these passing skills will, in a game, be executed under pressure, improvised, or a combination of both (think of a No 8 flicking the ball back between his legs under pressure from the defending
scrum half).

Therefore, as coach, make sure that the No 8 practices a variety of passes under pressure (Genius = 10% inspiration and 90% perspiration).

Picking the ball up from the back of the scrum (pass or pick and go).

Perhaps the most important technique of all is picking up the ball from the scrum, whether to pass or to pick and go. The following advice assumes a pass/break to the right.

Pass

The weight should be on the left foot, with the right slightly back. The body should be twisted to the left to shield the pass from the opposing scrum half.

The No 8 should aim to control the ball on the right foot before reaching down with the left hand, which brings the ball into the right hand. This is important because it initiates the passing movement smoothly and without delay; reaching with the right hand first moves the ball in the wrong direction and means that momentum needs to be generated after, rather than by, the pick up, which is obviously slower.

Pick and go

The No 8 should have his left foot under his body, slightly forwards, in order to generate swift acceleration – think of a sprinter in the blocks.

The ball should be controlled under the right of the body to facilitate a quick break to the right. The No 8 might prefer to have the ball somewhat further forward for the pick and go i.e. reaching straight down rather than across.

In any case if the stance is too wide the movement is much slower and increases the risk of a knock-on. The pick up itself is the same as above (left hand bringing the ball into the right).

Maximising the effectiveness of breaking the line

There are plenty of opportunities for this facet of play. The most obvious is from the scrum, or a short, flat pass from either of the halves off of a ruck or maul.

Also, consider coming into the back line off of your centre’s shoulder. The key to this is depth – come from behind the centre (think read the
number on the player’s back) and close to his shoulder running fast
and straight at the opposing back’s inside shoulder to make the tackle
difficult.

Also, coming ‘out of the centre’s shadow’ reduces the time for the
defender to react and set up his tackle, thus increasing the possibility
of a clean break.

In next week’s issue: A guide on how to play number eight (Part 1)

Dan Cottrell, Editor

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