Week Two

I am really hoping that my blog doesn’t turn into some sort of an advice column, but with two consecutive posts containing advice…and only two weeks of practice concluded…call me Ann Landers. Last week I talked about Listening. This week, my advice is…watch. You have two golden opportunities to watch rugby this weekend. The World Cup is on and the DIII All Stars are playing.

If you are planning on watching the World Cup and you are relatively new[1] to the game, watch it for what it is, rugby played at the highest level. These players have played rugby at the highest level for years. They have practiced and practiced and practiced together…and that is why it LOOKS so effortless when they play. There are only a few players that have played for PRFC, or on other teams in So Cal for that matter, that even come close to playing rugby anywhere near that caliber. PLEASE do not watch and assume, “oh, that guy just threw the ball backwards and his team mate caught it” or “every time you run into a tackle, the ball magically appears on the ground for the scrum half.” Anyway, enjoy the games, drink a few beers if you want and use that experience to motivate you to play at a higher level.

If you really want to learn to play better…WATCH the DIII All Stars[2]/Back Bay game this Sunday. This will give you a better understanding of what the competition and skill level[3] in DII will be like this year. Pick a player that you think might be where you are going to play (ask coach or a veteran who to watch) and follow that player and see how he plays. Watch how he runs with the ball. Watch how he strips the ball or supports a teammate. Watch how he makes space, tackles, talks[4], etc. Then, when you are at practice next week, think about how you saw others do that skill in a game and try and mimic that in the drills.

So, there you go…again. Pretty basic advice following week two of practice. I will leave the famous “you can’t win unless you score more points” advice till later in the season. We had a good week of practice. The rookies seem to have real hunger in them and the veterans appear focused and intent.

Oops,
Tanner

P.S. Here are the directions to Back Bay's field.

http://www.backbayrfc.com/bbr-directions.asp?Zoom=60Balboa

The 55 South eventually turns into Newport Blvd when you reach Newport Beach. The directions are a bit unclear about that.



[1] You are new to the game for a long time. Don’t assume that because you played last year or played 3 years in college…I am not talking about you.
[2] Who cares what this team is called...really!
[3] Don’t be intimidated by the physicality of the game, but know that it is a physically demanding sport.
[4] There is a lot of talking in rugby. Learn to tell the guy in front of you where you are. Keegan will often yell “ON YOUR LEFT” while passing an elderly woman in the frozen foods isle at Vons.