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You are in: Rugby Union: Features |  |
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Leg it like Dan Luger! | |
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Around the Academy: |
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Hit the ground running with Dan's top tips
I remember playing my first game of rugby when I was about 12 years old. Getting past someone for the first time was a real buzz. People say there's no substitute for speed. That's quite true. But if you're a rugby player, pure pace isn't enough. Rugby players aren't like sprinters on an athletics track. Speed might get you over the finish line first but it won't necessarily get you to the try line every time.
Players who are the fastest in training aren't necessarily the most effective in a match situation. Rugby is a very skillful sport, so as well as physical ability you need to be able to use your brain. Even at the highest level, there are surprisingly few players who can pass with both hands or kick with both feet.
So players who have the ability to do this are invaluable to a team. Even out on the wing you get surprisingly few opportunities to pin your ears back and head off for the try line unopposed. The chances you get to reach top speed are actually very few and far between. And you'll invariably end up getting tackled if you keep running straight.
Former Scotland full-back Gavin Hastings was never the fastest player on the park but he could beat opponents because he had the ability to cut a good line and time his running well. There are only so many times you can surprise defences by being quick. They'll soon find ways of closing you down. Instead keep them guessing by getting off the wing and finding work for yourself elsewhere around the pitch. Defences will find it a lot more difficult to cope when they don't know where you're going to pop up next! Try and make a real nuisance of yourself!
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