Small Scrum Half

[Sinbad]

Hey, I'm a 19 year old sophomore at the American university level. I play scrum half and wing as my secondary position. I weigh 140lbs and stand 5'7''. My biggest strength is my speed and acceleration, I ran 11.6 for the 100m in high school and I run a 4.6 40yd dash. I also have decent passing and chip kicking ability. My concern is that I'll be too small once I gain the starting spot for the team. The senior starting scrum half is about 175-180lbs with a great build although he's not faster than me. Should I focus on bulking up before the beginning of the season and if so do you have any programs you could recommend?

Thanks

 

[TRF_Olyy]

I wouldn't worry about it too much, to be honest
Your size and speed/agility will offer a lot to the team, and a scrum half should be agile over big, imo.
When you look at most pro SHs, they're mostly the smallest guys on the team, because they need to be able to dart around making a nuisance of themselves

 

[SelimNiai]

Most of the best Scrum Halves have been darters rather than physical ones.

Gareth Edwards (we're not worthy), Gregan, Van Der Westhuizen, Marshall, Dawson to name a few.

 

[durbutter]

Strings?



Ed?

 

[cyRil]

Gareth Cooper?

 

[D.C.]

IMO scrum-half is a position where size doesn't matter, as long as you have the technique... if you look at todays scrum-halves, they don't have the same size, per example, Stringer is 5 ft 7in and Mike Phillips is 6 ft 3in but they are both great players...
I wouldn't care much about my size if i were you, focus on your passing, kicking, etc. and you'll be a good player

 

[Sinbad]

Thanks for the feedback. Just wanted to hear opinions because I hope to continue playing after college.

 

[Te Puke Thunder]

Yeah, don't stress on your size. Like previous posts have said some off the best halfbacks in the game have been small in stature. So long you keep yourself fit and strong you'll be right. Work hard on your pass and kicking and everything should be sweet. Good luck for the future!

 

[ORothlain]

Hey, I'm a 19 year old sophomore at the American university level. I play scrum half and wing as my secondary position. I weigh 140lbs and stand 5'7''. My biggest strength is my speed and acceleration, I ran 11.6 for the 100m in high school and I run a 4.6 40yd dash. I also have decent passing and chip kicking ability. My concern is that I'll be too small once I gain the starting spot for the team. The senior starting scrum half is about 175-180lbs with a great build although he's not faster than me. Should I focus on bulking up before the beginning of the season and if so do you have any programs you could recommend?

Thanks

Fitness is key. You can build strength without getting bulky. Don't avoid weight training, but look at what weight training will benefit strength, angility and power. As scrum half you've got to be where the action is all the time, so, in my opinion, your fitness level (cardiovascular endurance) should be one of the best on that pitch. If I were you I'd look at fartlek training for endurance, and plyometric training in the weight room. Focus on form and motion rather than the quantity of weight you lift.

Where are you in the US? What college?

 

[eot345]

still though 140 is pretty small mabye try to hit the gym a bit focus on squat and power cleans to keep your speed up and to add bulk. hows your tackling im just thinking it might be a little unpleasent tackling those No.8s and second rows that have a undred pounds on you

 

[Sinbad]

Fitness is key. You can build strength without getting bulky. Don't avoid weight training, but look at what weight training will benefit strength, angility and power. As scrum half you've got to be where the action is all the time, so, in my opinion, your fitness level (cardiovascular endurance) should be one of the best on that pitch. If I were you I'd look at fartlek training for endurance, and plyometric training in the weight room. Focus on form and motion rather than the quantity of weight you lift.

Where are you in the US? What college?

I go to La Salle University in Philadelphia, PA. It's a long shot but I hope to play somewhere overseas if I get bigger and better. @eot345, My tackling is pretty good I tend to use the bigger guy's weight against them, gets the job done.

 

[mettadown]

Its all in your mind, if you think you're 8 feet tall and bulletproof, then you'll play like the opposition are merely speed humps in the way to the try line, however get intidimated because a guy is 3 inches and 20 pounds heavier than you is NOT going to do you any favors.

Being short is actually an advantage in every facet of the game except lineouts and catching pressured bombs. If you're short you don't have to bend as low to make a textbook tackle, or when going into contact with ball in hand, since your from the states look at Darren Sproles of the San Diego Chargers, 5 ft 6 running back who averaged more than Landanian Tomlinson last year (admittedly LT's lost about 10 steps, he got run down from behind by a defensive lineman in the preseason game against carolina in 2010)