Rugby Career Help

[ICHooker2]

Hey all. My question is about how to continue playing rugby after my college years here in the states. I am about to turn 21yrs old and I've played hooker ever since my first rugby practice. I am 5'9" (1.75m) and 202 lbs (92kg). I have been a starter for all 3 years in college. Skills:

Pros: Rucking, scrumming, passing skills, tackling, technique, and a good foot (considering I'm a hooker)
Cons: Size, strength, lineout throws, and speed

Does anyone have any advice on how to improve my weaknesses? And any advice on the possibility of playing in Europe? I would love to have the opportunity to play overseas, but I am not exactly sure how to go about contacting clubs for possibly tryouts, etc. Any advice would help.

 

[Aedaphon]

Hey all. My question is about how to continue playing rugby after my college years here in the states. I am about to turn 21yrs old and I've played hooker ever since my first rugby practice. I am 5'9" (1.75m) and 202 lbs (92kg). I have been a starter for all 3 years in college. Skills:

Pros: Rucking, scrumming, passing skills, tackling, technique, and a good foot (considering I'm a hooker)
Cons: Size, strength, lineout throws, and speed

Does anyone have any advice on how to improve my weaknesses? And any advice on the possibility of playing in Europe? I would love to have the opportunity to play overseas, but I am not exactly sure how to go about contacting clubs for possibly tryouts, etc. Any advice would help.

Unfortunately getting picked up by teams is really not the same in the European system as in the American were athletes will be picked up straight out of college. That said if there are some decent level clubs you can join in the lower divisions that you can probably get trials with (by playing through their 2nds/3rds sides).

Which college did you play at and are you planning on joining any clubs in the USA?

In terms of size, strength, lineouts and speed... Weights, practice and sprints are the short answers.

There are plenty of programmes designed to improves your speed (although they will only have a limited effect). Weight just involves pumping a lot of iron and concentrating primarily on your core three of Bench Press, Squats and Deadlift.

My friend's a hooker (so many easy jokes to be made) and really throwing just involves practice, practice, practice.

 

[Saintjay]

In England most clubs are picking up players and talent younger and younger. Three of the methods clubs use for scouting as such is schools, county teams and amateur clubs. Schools and county tend to be linked and you may play for an amateur club if your school is rubbish or does not play rugby.

You tend to have to get noticed before invited for trials or a try out. Say you play well for your school a county scout would notice and invite you for trials with the county team.

At 21 I am sorry to say you are pushing it for a career in rugby. At a reasonable level you might make semi-pro but even then the money tends not to be enough to live on.

I would not worry about your height so much but most modern hookers are about 6ft and coming in at about 110kg, so weight would be an issue. Being short in height can be an advantage as it is easier to pack down and drive upwards against a taller players who is nearly bent double.

I notice you say your line out throwing is not the best, work on that as it is bread and butter stuff for a hooker. Look for a decent amateur club team in the states and start in there 2nd team or thirds and try and push on into the first team would be the best advice I could give you. Watch as many games as you can and study the front rows and work hard. Improving on all the things you need to work on.

I wish you the best of luck.

 

[ZeFrenchy]

I think it is always worth a try to write to a few people for advice. Try US Rugby (I think many US players have played for the national team before being pro) and even a few american players playing in Europe right now. Most of them are not superstars that have a very busy agenda and my bet is that at least one of them will be kind enough to answer. I'm sure that if you look for it, you can find a friend who has a friend who knows Todd Clever or Scott Lavalla (very good player this last one btw).

Best of lucks,

 

[ICHooker2]

Thanks for the response. My coach has actually been involved with the USA Women's National Team, so I think that if I really want to try and excel I will go to her to try and get those types of connections. It might be a long shot, but I don't see a reason why I shouldn't at least ask.