Unleash Your Inner Athlete: How to Be a Flanker in Rugby

The flanker position in rugby is often described as the heart and soul of the team. These players are the unsung heroes, working tirelessly in the shadows to secure possession, disrupt the opposition, and provide crucial support for their teammates. If you’re looking to become a formidable flanker, you need a blend of physicality, tactical awareness, and unwavering determination. This guide will delve into the key aspects of mastering the flanker role and becoming an invaluable asset to your team.

The Flanker’s Role: More Than Just a Brute

While flankers are known for their physicality, the role goes far beyond simply being a brute. A successful flanker needs to be a versatile player with a deep understanding of the game. Here’s a breakdown of the core responsibilities:

• Breakdown Dominance: The breakdown is where the flanker truly shines. They must be relentless in securing possession for their team, both in attack and defense. This involves:
• Winning the Jackal: The jackal is a key technique where the flanker attempts to steal the ball from the opposition at the breakdown. This requires speed, agility, and a strong understanding of the breakdown laws.
• Dominating the Ruck: Flankers are responsible for pushing and lifting in the ruck, ensuring their team maintains possession and gains valuable meters.
• Tackling and Turnover: Flankers are often the first line of defense, making crucial tackles and forcing turnovers.

• Attacking Prowess: Flankers are not just defensive specialists. They play a vital role in attack, providing support for the ball carrier and creating opportunities for their teammates. This includes:
• Carrying the Ball: Flankers are often tasked with carrying the ball in tight situations and breaking through the opposition’s defenses.
• Running Lines: Understanding the flow of the game and running intelligent lines to create space for teammates is crucial.
• Passing and Offloading: Flankers need to be able to pass and offload the ball effectively, creating opportunities for their teammates.

• Defensive Strength: Flankers are the backbone of the defensive line, responsible for:
• Tackling: Flankers must make strong tackles and disrupt the opposition’s attacking momentum.
• Reading the Game: They need to anticipate the opposition’s moves and react quickly to cover gaps in the defense.
• Covering the Flanks: As their name suggests, flankers are responsible for covering the edges of the field, preventing the opposition from breaking out wide.

The Physical Attributes of a Flanker

To excel as a flanker, you need a solid foundation of physical attributes:

• Strength and Power: Flankers need to be strong and powerful to dominate at the breakdown, carry the ball effectively, and make big tackles.
• Speed and Agility: Speed and agility are essential for getting to the breakdown quickly, making quick tackles, and running intelligent lines in attack.
• Endurance: Flanker is a physically demanding role, requiring high levels of endurance to play the full 80 minutes with intensity.
• Flexibility and Mobility: Flankers need to be flexible and mobile to move quickly around the field and adapt to different situations.

Mental Toughness: The Flanker’s Secret Weapon

While physical attributes are important, a flanker also needs a strong mental game. They must be:

• Aggressive and Assertive: Flankers need to be aggressive and assertive, both in attack and defense. They must be willing to put their bodies on the line and fight for every inch of ground.
• Disciplined: Despite their aggression, flankers need to be disciplined and avoid unnecessary penalties.
• Focused and Determined: They must be able to stay focused and determined throughout the match, even when things get tough.
• Resilient: Flankers are often targeted by the opposition, so they need to be resilient and bounce back from setbacks.

Mastering the Art of the Breakdown

The breakdown is the flanker’s domain. Here’s how to dominate this crucial area of the game:

• Positioning: Get into position quickly after a tackle and be ready to contest the ball.
• Jackal Technique: Mastering the jackal is crucial for securing possession. This involves:
• Timing: Timing is everything when jackaling. You need to get to the ball at the right moment to secure possession.
• Technique: Use your body weight and leverage to get under the ball and pull it away from the opposition.
• Legality: Be aware of the breakdown laws and avoid illegal techniques.
• Rucking: Flankers are key to dominating the ruck. This involves:
• Pushing and Lifting: Use your strength and power to push and lift the ruck, ensuring your team maintains possession.
• Binding: Bind correctly to the ruck and support your teammates.
• Maintaining Momentum: Keep the momentum going in the ruck, preventing the opposition from gaining control.

Developing Your Flanker Skills

Becoming a great flanker requires consistent hard work and dedication. Here are some tips for developing your skills:

• Strength and Conditioning: Focus on building strength, power, and endurance through targeted training programs.
• Breakdown Drills: Practice breakdown drills to improve your jackaling, rucking, and tackling techniques.
• Game Awareness: Develop your game awareness by watching matches and studying game footage.
• Communication: Communicate effectively with your teammates to ensure everyone is on the same page.
• Mentorship: Seek guidance from experienced flankers and coaches to learn from their experience.

The Legacy of the Flanker: Beyond the Pitch

Flankers are often the unsung heroes of the rugby team. They play a vital role in both attack and defense, and their contributions are often overlooked. However, their impact on the game is undeniable. They are the heart and soul of the team, providing the physicality, tactical awareness, and unwavering determination that drive the team to victory.

The Flanker’s End Game: Beyond Victory

The flanker’s journey extends beyond the final whistle. It’s about leaving a mark on the game, inspiring others, and becoming a role model for the next generation of rugby players. It’s about embodying the spirit of the game – hard work, dedication, and teamwork. By mastering the flanker role, you’ll not only contribute to your team’s success but also leave a lasting legacy on the game of rugby.

Questions We Hear a Lot

Q: What is the difference between a blindside flanker and an openside flanker?

A: The blindside flanker is the flanker on the side of the field opposite the direction of the play, while the openside flanker is on the same side as the direction of the play. This distinction is important for breakdown positioning and defensive responsibilities.

Q: What are some famous flankers in rugby history?

A: Some legendary flankers include Richie McCaw (New Zealand), David Pocock (Australia), and Sean O’Brien (Ireland). They are known for their exceptional skills, physicality, and impact on the game.

Q: What are some common mistakes that flankers make?

A: Common mistakes include:

• Poor breakdown positioning: Not getting into the right position quickly enough after a tackle.
• Illegal jackaling: Using illegal techniques to steal the ball at the breakdown.
• Lack of communication: Not communicating effectively with teammates at the breakdown.
• Over-committing in defense: Leaving gaps in the defense by over-committing to tackles.

Q: How can I improve my tackling technique as a flanker?

A: Focus on:

• Correct body position: Keep your body low and your shoulders square to the ball carrier.
• Head position: Keep your head up and your eyes on the ball carrier.
• Tackle height: Tackle low and wrap your arms around the ball carrier’s waist.
• Impact: Drive through the tackle with your legs and hips.

Q: What are some tips for staying motivated as a flanker?

A: Stay motivated by:

• Setting goals: Set specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound goals for your development.
• Celebrating successes: Recognize and celebrate your achievements, no matter how small.
• Learning from mistakes: Use your mistakes as opportunities for growth and improvement.
• Staying positive: Maintain a positive mindset and focus on the things you can control.