InstantForum.NET v4.1.4Better Rugby Coachinghttp://www.betterrugbycoaching.com/rugbyforum/forum@betterrugbycoaching.comFri, 19 Mar 2010 19:48:05 GMT20http://www.betterrugbycoaching.com/rugbyforum/Topic1168-4-1.aspxThey're large inflatable balls..... a bit like a space hopper without the horns/handles to hold on to.Fri, 07 Nov 2008 12:53:43 GMTJenkshttp://www.betterrugbycoaching.com/rugbyforum/Topic1168-4-1.aspxThe large sit on balls for core stability is a great idea.</P><P>what do you mean by exercise ball it sounds as if this is a heavy object is this a new variation on a medicine ball?</P><P>Narky marky Fri, 07 Nov 2008 09:41:48 GMTnarkymarkyhttp://www.betterrugbycoaching.com/rugbyforum/Topic1168-4-1.aspx[quote][b]referee (18/09/2008)[/b][hr]One exercise i've tried with my son to help with the development of his throwing in is to have him kneeling down on both knees.<br><br>Get him to throw the ball in but not to fall forward and put his hands on the floor after the throw. [/quote]<br><br>Practicing while kneeling is a great isolation exercise and forces throwers who rely on leg and hip movements to concentrate on the throw itself and not compensate for a lack of correct technique through movement below the waist but I would not encourage him to finish with his hands on the ground <br><br>Like in golf and darts it is the follow through of the hands in the direction you wish the ball to go which is all important just like passing a rugby ball. Monitoring where the thrower's hands finish is a quick and easy way to perform corrections to technique as it is often the result of trying to force the ball that the hands go awry leading to the same with the ball<br><br>Another exercise to try is to have the thrower lie on his back with a hit shield or tackle back below his shoulders and then get him to throw the ball straight up with the objective of it coming down straight and back to his hands above his head<br><br>This exercise will provide immediate results<br><br>Cheers<br>AngusThu, 06 Nov 2008 22:47:46 GMTAngushttp://www.betterrugbycoaching.com/rugbyforum/Topic1168-4-1.aspxOk - I have just done a Sevens search on the Huddle and found some great resources - thank youSun, 21 Sep 2008 10:07:37 GMTJackalhttp://www.betterrugbycoaching.com/rugbyforum/Topic1168-4-1.aspxI have started using the basics you have mentioned here and I will let you know how we progress.<br>As I am not lucky enough to have a full squad (15 man Union) I have had to resort to training as a Sevens outfit but lineouts and 3 man scrums are still what we have to tackle. Can you advise me on two things? <br>1) How many jumpers would recommend in a 7´s team plus the player throwing in? Do i commit 2 jumpers? (1 lifter and 1 jumper) so I have 4 defenders in case the oppositions wins the throw...as its our throw they would tend to mirror us right? <br>2) How many do we commit to rucks with 7 players - I have planned and we have trained on two cleaners and a s/half to feed the backs.. Am I on the right track? Is there an 7´s specific info out there in terms of strategies, channels, defence etc?Sun, 21 Sep 2008 09:47:31 GMTJackalhttp://www.betterrugbycoaching.com/rugbyforum/Topic1168-4-1.aspxOne exercise i've tried with my son to help with the development of his throwing in is to have him kneeling down on both knees.</P><P>Get him to throw th eball in but not to fall forward and put his hands on the floor after the throw. to begin with he found this difficult but in=mporived as his balance improved and concentrates on the core muscles, abs and lower back, to throw in.</P><P>Also, get them to perform a set of exercises, running, push ups, sit up's etc before they throw to get them used to being out of breath when they throw in to try an dreplicate a game situation.Thu, 18 Sep 2008 13:27:38 GMTrefereehttp://www.betterrugbycoaching.com/rugbyforum/Topic1168-4-1.aspxI agree with everything said above, but would like to emphasize that repetitive training of the throw MUST form part of any hooker's daily routine.<br><br>No supervision, marks on the goal posts at different heights, 5m marked from the post, a few rugby balls and away they go.....not! <br><br>Hookers are nutters and must be constantly reminded to practice. But it does pay of and like a golf swing, under pressure, the throw should be instinctive.<br><br><br>Fri, 05 Sep 2008 12:12:43 GMTRainierhttp://www.betterrugbycoaching.com/rugbyforum/Topic1168-4-1.aspxThe passer exercise ball or a medicine ball is excellent in getting the wrist and forearm strength they also find that good technique outways pure brute strength - especially when you measure accuracy over repetitions.</P><P>We are using that in combination with an exercise ball - and starting with both feet on the ground - and boy do they find that hard work - but the difference in their passing is quite significant.Mon, 01 Sep 2008 17:17:53 GMTkernowrobhttp://www.betterrugbycoaching.com/rugbyforum/Topic1168-4-1.aspxMight be worthwhile investing in a "pass trainer ball" for throw in practice to develop the hookers arm strength.<br><br>For accuracy, pin up a target on a wall or lampost and just keep doing reps for accuarcy.<br><br>Regards Andy<br><br>Mon, 01 Sep 2008 15:36:14 GMTBiggs8159http://www.betterrugbycoaching.com/rugbyforum/Topic1168-4-1.aspxGreat advice from Jenks.</P><P>Don't forget that it doesn't have to be the hooker who throws in. And it's always a good idea to have at least 2 people who can throw in - in case of injuries.Mon, 01 Sep 2008 12:46:19 GMTcarlwhitleyhttp://www.betterrugbycoaching.com/rugbyforum/Topic1168-4-1.aspxThanks Jenks - Really good advice for us coaches out here in rugby development countries.Sat, 30 Aug 2008 08:47:33 GMTJackalhttp://www.betterrugbycoaching.com/rugbyforum/Topic1168-4-1.aspxAlso use of the excercise balls are strengthening and conditioning the core muscles because of the continual adjustments they are making while balancing. Fri, 29 Aug 2008 16:43:25 GMTJenkshttp://www.betterrugbycoaching.com/rugbyforum/Topic1168-4-1.aspxThe two handed throw in for a hooker is the easiest both for accuracy and distance, of course the technique used is the most important thing. A successful technique for my son, age 12 (U13), is the parallel feet position, ie both toes touching the sideline with the ball starting behind his head his strongest hand (right) towards the back of the ball with the left at the front to guide the throw, hands are really placed in the same position on the ball as a spin pass but upside down, we started with just the short throw and went for accuracy and this was repeated endlessly either at me or a target drawn on the wall of the house. He then started to move further away and we also introduced the knees bent and a whiplash action for power/further distance. Incidentally the throw itself actually comes from the trunk/stomach and and the knee bend must be controlled while remaining balance so we then introduced throwing in while sat on one of those big excercise ball to help with his control. The knee bend is done for all throws so not to indicate that it will be a long throw. He's getting really good at it now so I'm now getting him to practise with his hands the other way around so he can ensure that what ever side he's throwing in from the spin of the ball will be back towards our line which may benefit us when the ball is just touched in flight by either side. Lots there to be getting on with but the most important thing is encouragement and support, the more confident the hooker is the better the throw in is usually.</P><P>PS. I've also used the big excercise balls for the scrumhalfs to sit on and balance and throw their passes as well and have extended it to other backs as well to catch and pass from. It reinforces keeping an eye on the ball while trying to balance but also actually strengthens the pass via the wrists and forearms rather than a huge windup. It's also a bit of fun and something different to the usual passing drills.</P><P>Best of luck</P><P>JenksFri, 29 Aug 2008 16:01:56 GMTJenkshttp://www.betterrugbycoaching.com/rugbyforum/Topic1168-4-1.aspxSo, for a right handed thrower, the right hand holds the ball slightly towards the end of the ball and provides the direction and power and the left hand sits further forward and nearer the top to give some sort of spin?? Considering that I will be dealing with students who are 13-16 and that rugby isn't (yet) too strong at my school, is there a better/easier throw to coach??Fri, 29 Aug 2008 14:24:33 GMTJBUS_rugbyhttp://www.betterrugbycoaching.com/rugbyforum/Topic1168-4-1.aspx"As a former hooker I would just like to add that in every succesful catch there are normally four people involved, so the hooker will generally account for 25% of errors. That's my excuse anyway... "</P><P>of course at ages below U16 generally in England that error rate rises to 50% (no lifting allowed except at U15 county).</P><P>;-)</P><P>diddsFri, 29 Aug 2008 10:04:19 GMTdiddshttp://www.betterrugbycoaching.com/rugbyforum/Topic1168-4-1.aspxNearly all hookers throw the ball two-handed these days - it is more accurate, though less powerful. The strong hand is positioned towards the back of the ball, and the weaker guides from near the front. Exact positioning of the hands is something for your hooker to experiment with. </P><P>Feet positioning is again something for experimenting with. Both feet parallel to the touchline is very popular, but some offset the feet.</P><P>Depending on your hookers' abilities then you may want them to start with the ball already with the ball behind the head, or allow them a backswing before their forward swing. It's easier with a backswing, but it gives a trigger to the opposition's jumpers.</P><P>In terms of practice remember that the lines on the pitch can give a good guide during practice. Players like to feel progress as well, so move from one lineout to the next, rather than taking them all in the same place.</P><P>As a former hooker I would just like to add that in every succesful catch there are normally four people involved, so the hooker will generally account for 25% of errors. That's my excuse anyway...Thu, 28 Aug 2008 16:48:48 GMTiolohttp://www.betterrugbycoaching.com/rugbyforum/Topic1168-4-1.aspxWell? I've been asked to help out at school, as a de facto forwards coach, and one of the few things I don't feel confident withis coachiiing the throw in..Thu, 28 Aug 2008 12:28:31 GMTJBUS_rugby