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Forum Newbie
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Last Login: 20/02/2012 21:09:43
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In my team at the moment the front row are all quite big and broad but the second row are tall and thin. In the scrum we're finding it difficult to get bound tightly as a unit; if the second row get a good grip of the props then there's a gap between them, if they get a good grip of each other then their angle of pushing is all wrong. Other than getting the second rows to fill out (or look for different players) any suggestions?
Do as I say not as I do.
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Supreme Being
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Last Login: 21/05/2012 01:08:18
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| At first glance, it sounds like your hooker might be too big, and may be more suited to prop. What age group? And grade?
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Supreme Being
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consider the scrum as two pistons (1+2+4, and 3+5 - this becomes even clearer with a flanker available in the 2nd piston) rather than two "rows".
Tho I sympathise as the 5 man scrum lacks cohesion and stability if the locks cannot bind reasonably. When you move to a 6 man scrum (U12 in England anyway) some of this is alleviated as the #8 can act as a stabiliser.
GE's post sounds plausible.. stand behind the scrum when it forms.. what do you SEE?
didds
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Supreme Being
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| The initial post is unclear what the issue is with binding. Is the scrum wheeling, or is it breaking up? Either way, the 2nd row bind should not be critical to scrum stability. If wheeling is the issue: The 1-2-4 combination needs to be stable, and the 3-5 combination needs to be stable. Achieve this by ensuring correct posture and feet positioning. The two sides of the scrum (the "pistons" as didds says, I like that) then need to BALANCE their shove to maintain the scrum angle, and not wheel. Practice is the key. If the scrum is breaking up, focus on the front row bind. The 1-2 bind must be very tight. And the both props should try to get a handful of of the hookers jersey. Also the props should bind correctly, legally and securely to their opposite. The later is often overlooked, and has a big impact on scrum stability.
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Supreme Being
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100% agree with GE. I would say the tightness of the 1-2 bind is very, very important -but not so tight as to the detriment of keeping a square position ie one of them being twisted out of position.
didds
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Forum Newbie
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Last Login: 20/02/2012 21:09:43
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This is a ladies team, so full numbers, full rules etc. The scrum is the weakest part of our game, sometimes going back at a rate of knots. So as we're in the four week mid-season divisional break (a part of the calendar I don't understand, but I digress) we've taken the opportunity to go back to basics and see if we can work out where we're going wrong and make improvements.
In the last game in particular it looked as if the scrum was breaking up when the opposition had the push on, so one of the first things we looked at was binding. Going through step by step the second rowers were really struggling to get into the position I think they should be in, and I think primarily it's as GE suggested initially, the hooker is "too big" when compared to the second row players. Unfortunately there's not much choice short of convincing someone else to train up as a hooker from scratch.
Treating the scrum as two pistons, connected by the hooker and #8 (and a looser arm bind between the locks), is one idea that came to mind but having never had a problem like this before wasn't sure if this was a good idea or not. I'll experiment in training this week (if the snow clears up!) and see how we get on.
Do as I say not as I do.
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Supreme Being
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| Without being able to see your scrum in action it's hard to pinpoint your problems. However, I've coached both college and club women's teams so I've seen some of the problems. One problem is where the props bore in as their hips get pushed out. Your women may have broad hips and narrow shoulders. As the locks join this tends to push out the hips more. This gets worse as the props take up a stance with the feet wide apart making it difficult for the locks to get in. First step is to correct the props feet. Get the inside foot directly in line with the inside shoulder. Then the hips can open and close like a door to let the locks in. Then change the props binding from the hooker to each other. This strengthens the bind at the shoulders and allows more movement at the hips. Also allows more freedom for the hooker. As a tighthead this was always my preferred bind as it helped me set up square. The locks bind keeps the hips in so there is no need to bind low on the hooker. You may have a problem with the ref if he's a pedant as the Laws don't expressly allow or forbid this bind. Lack of confidence in the front row will also cause problems as they will be slow to engage and allow the opps to 'get the hit'. This will cause them to be on their heels as the ball comes in and be driven back. Even a short drive in reverse will cause the scrum to disintegrate unless they are very experienced. Only practice against another front row can fix this. There is much dogma spouted about front row play and it's 'mysteries'. Rubbish. It's mostly mechanics with a generous serving of confidence and a dash of aggression.
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