The Dark Arts

[superprop]

I've got very good technique at loosehead and decent at tighthead but I was wondering if any of the older props on the forum could teach me some of the tricks of the trade or dark arts.

 

[Conal]

well once you have got good body position and all
straight back bend knees etc

on the bind in stead of binding just in his back bind as far down his back as you can so your arm is nearly straight
to my knowledge this is lega and it pretty uch stops the tight head twisting you. it alsomakes in easier for you to get under the tighthead and drive up and through him

 

[nickdnz]

Well, because of the general incompotance of referees regarding scrums, there is little things you can do to cheat your way out of a losing scrum. As a tighthead, there are two very easy things I tend to do, if their pack is generally bigger and stronger than ours. First, on your hit, you want to get as low as you can, and look for his arm going on the bind. From there, pull his arm down to the ground and rotate your neck. It'll mean the scrum collapses, but generally they'll eventually get pinged for not getting their bind up. If that's not working, just straight-up grab the looseheads outside arm, and pull it inwards, meaning that his body will have rotated inwards and he won't have a straight platform to push. Most referees won't notice, even when standing on your side of the scrum.

If you are winning, then you shouldn't change too much. Just make sure that you get lower than the opposing prop, and try to get underneath him on an angle, and push. The aim is to make him stand up without losing your positioning.

 

[lucky number 7]

Get yourself good second rows....this was one of the key things for our scrum...Our props are wonderful technical scrummagers but without the force of two bulky lads behind them they weren't getting the scrums that they deserved. Unison in the pack is another huge aspect as long as you survive the initial hit if your pack does the pause , sink and then squeeze correctly you should be working lovely.

As for the individual aspects of scrummaging I dont know a huge amount save a dirty old trick for tightheads... don't shave for a few days and then before you go out on the pitch smear De "deep heat" or wintergreen onto your face ...when in the scrum rub furiously against the hookers face .. the beard growth will irritate his skin and then when the Deep heat gets in it hurts like hell....Bit of a Dick move though

 

[lhprop1]

The older I get, the more I realize solid technique and strength will be able to counteract any of the "tricks" that most guys throw at you. As far as technique goes, there's way more to it than could be described on an internet messageboard.

 

[superprop]

Cheers as I've said I'm pretty good at the orthodox things in fact at loosehead I'm one of the best in my age group (**** around the park though) but next year am playing senior and just looking for something that will give me an edge against guys with 3 yrs more growth and experince than me.

 

[lhprop1]

Cheers as I've said I'm pretty good at the orthodox things in fact at loosehead I'm one of the best in my age group (**** around the park though) but next year am playing senior and just looking for something that will give me an edge against guys with 3 yrs more growth and experince than me.

Embrace your youth. You only have it for so long. If you really want to improve your game, improve your fitness and mobility. Scrums are fun, but there are only a dozen or so every match. Being able to contribute in the open is a lot of fun.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Embrace your youth. You only have it for so long. If you really want to improve your game, improve your fitness and mobility. Scrums are fun, but there are only a dozen or so every match. Being able to contribute in the open is a lot of fun.

It says on his profile he's 67 on Monday.

 

[superprop]

It says on his profile he's 67 on Monday.

Ye I'm the best scrummager in my age group which is over 65's and I'm still young got a couple of million yrs left.