The tighthead is the most valued member of any team, he is not one that spectators see, but the success of most teams is normally hinged on his success in the scrums
If the tighthead is dominating his opposition loosehead the hooker has an easier job of hooking, and the quality of go-forward ball provided gives the backline more attacking options
The tighthead needs to be a physically strong player who is at his happiest when smashing opponents in tackles, rucks, mauls and most of all the scrum
A props game is mainly in close contact situations, scrums, rucks, mauls, lineouts ect
The props must develop the strength and skills to be effective under these conditions
He must work hard at his absolute strength levels to dominate the scrum and close contact situations
Handling, evasion, and passing are essentials of the modern day prop
The props main aim is to win good quality ball for your team and to destroy the opposition ball as much as possible (within the laws of the game)
Major Requirements
-Must have strong upper and lower body
-Must have strong neck, shoulder, back and leg muscles
-Must work on correct technique at scrums
-Must be mentally and physically strong
-Should be very fit and have good stamina
-Must have communication skills
-Must have good running and passing skills
-Must know the laws of the game! Especially binding in scrums
Essentials
-Be able to run with agility, determination and commitment
-Be able to pass and catch effectively
-Tackle effectively past the gainline
-Must be able to ruck and maul effectively. Must have a low body position for driving forward
-Must have a physical presence. The opposition must know and feel your playing!
Role at the scrum
-Lead in by being the first member of the front row to contact the opposition front row on your put in
-Stabilise the scrum when the ball is put in on the loose head so that the ball is delivered from a stable platform
-The tighthead must engage in a low position, as a good loosehead will try to drive him upwards, preventing this is vital and practice is essential
-The tighthead must see himself as an immovable object-No one has the right to move me!
-Communicate to my teammates. Analyse the scrum, talk and improve
Role at the lineout
-Support jumpers well to protect our ball
-Assist the jumpers to jump higher and to stabilise him at maximum height until the ball is caught
-Once the ball has been secured make sure the jumper lands in a stable body position with back to the opponents
-Defend opposition mauls aggressively
-Know the teams lineout moves well even the ones your not involved in
-Carry out the team’s moves effectively
-Hold the line to provide a protective screen when the ball is not thrown to back
Role at kickoffs
-Move quickly to support the jumper/ ball carrier.
-Set a platform (Ball going forward) for the backline to either kick/ run the ball
Role during 2nd phase (Ruck/Maul)
-Exert physical pressure on opposition
-Set a platform (going forward) on our ball and the opposition’s ball
-Decide on the best role to ensure a clean ball is won to continue play when approaching 2nd phase play
-You must possess a low body position for rucks and mauls. A strong low drive is essential for all forwards to dominate the contact points
Role at the ruck
Ruck: We are in possession:
-You must work very hard to ensure we win good quality ball
-Drive past the ball!
-Protect the ball for the scrumhalf to pass effectively under as little pressure as possible.
Ruck: They are in possession:
-You must aim to DESTROY their ball!
-You must aim to at least slow down their ball at every ruck you hit
Role at the maul
Mauls: We are in possession:
-Bind onto the maul to protect the delivery of the ball to the scrumhalf
-Must work hard to get the ball moving forward!
Mauls: They are in possession:
-Drive forward to slow down or stop their drive and to slow their delivery of ball
-Stop the rolling maul by driving onto the side towards which the maul is moving (Eg: If the maul is going infield you need to drive it into touch)
-Aim to sack the maul before it begins by taking out the lifters
Role on defence
-You must aim to put opposition on the ground or tie the ball up in mauls
-On their ball you must cover the fringes if you’re late to the ruck/maul (Pillar/Post)
-Know the calls at the breakdown and the defensive shape next to the ruck
-Know your role at each position next to the ruck
-Know and understand the defensive pattern of the team
Role during penalties/free kicks
-Get into position quickly, face up/ front up
-On our ball: Understand the moves, and them implement them accurately
-Their ball: You must be the guts of the defensive line! Go forward and tackle!
Mobility
-Move quickly after scrum/ lineout
-Must get into position quickly, especially the first 10mtrs, before the opposition
What my unit does
-Unit = Loosehead prop, Hooker, Tighthead prop
-We do scrums, lineouts, rucks, and mauls, receive kick-offs and are defenders (work hard on our tackle count)
We provide GO FORWARD pressure
-We win quality 1st phase ball on our ball
-We destroy the oppositions 1st phase ball
-We are the guts of our ruck and maul ability
-We are ball carriers and should be physically assertive!
Who can help me do my job better?
-Scrum mates (locks and loose-forwards)
-Team-mates
-Backs: they set up the ball well and go forward
-Loose-forwards: They win the loose ball for us to run onto
-Scrumhalf: He communicates with us clearly and simply
How do I measure my performance?
-By doing the basics (perfectly)
-By my work rate and mobility around the field
-By filling in my performance charts- reaching my performance goals
-Communicate successfully (Discuss with team mates, coaches and mentors)
-The team sacrifices I make