The wings are the showman of teams, chosen for their flair, speed and elusiveness
The wings are basically the try scorers for teams; they finish the moves for the team
The wings should feel he has to score and the team effort should not hamper this feeling, they should encourage the wings to score as many tries as possible
A successful wing should be an energetic and restless type of player
He should be looking for work all the time and not be content to just stand on the wing waiting for the ball.
The wings should have the necessary drive to want and need to be fully involved in every game they play
Major Requirements
-An ability to run with speed and determination
-Ability to be elusive with the ball
-Ability to position oneself correctly on attack and defence
-Ability to handle and pass the ball well
-Ability to kick the ball effectively
-Ability to tackle aggressively
-Ability to communicate well
-Ability to support on defence and attack
-Ability to keep the ball alive and in play!
Essentials
Handling:
-Catch and receive the ball correctly
-An ability to hold the ball correctly: When running with the ball in hand always have the ball on the outside away from the defence so that you can hand off and protect the ball
-Must be able to pass the ball: Control the speed of pass, length of pass, height of pass and correct body position when passing
-Must protect the ball when caught and a maul forms, the ball must be made available for a support player
-Ability to stand in the tackle and to release the ball to the support runners
-Must be able to use the quick throw in to the team’s advantage
-Must be able to maintain continuity on attack
-Must be able to field any ball: rolling, / high ball ect
Running:
-Must run with determination and pace when carrying the ball
-Be hungry to run with the ball
-Must be able to sidestep, change pace, swerve, and change direction
-Must run with the body slightly forward
-Must be able to run with the inside hand free so that a hand off can occur
Kicking:
-Must be able to kick with both feet and at pace
-Must be able to do a variety of kicks: Cross kick, chip, clearing kick, deep punt, grubber and drop kick.
-Must be able to toe the ball ahead and chase it
Contact:
-Must be able to tackle effectively from the front, rear and side
-Must be able to burst through a tackle
-Must retain the ball in the tackle
-Must have the correct body position in a drive
-Must be able to fall on the ball and get up quickly to continue attack ect
Positional Play:
-Must have the knowledge and skill to position oneself on attack and defence
-Must be able to position correctly for set play: Scrums, lineouts and kick offs
-Position correctly to become the extra man to support on attack
-Position oneself for cover defence
-Position correctly for various backline moves
Tactics:
-Be an attacking threat, exploit every opportunity and continually look for work
-By being an attacking threat the opposing wing will be held in a defensive position and be unable to enter play elsewhere
-Move more than anyone else, as he must try to make the game happen. It won’t happen by standing still in a fixed area
-Once forward momentum has been initiated on attack, use support to keep the movement going. Avoid the touchlines!
Role at 1st Phase Attack & Defence
1st Phase Attack
-Finish movements and score tries
-Find space and counterattack
-Keep the ball alive by setting targets and finding support players
-Working with back three and midfield
-Chasing kicks (deep kick-offs, every kick on front of me)
-Act as a decoy runner
1st Phase Defence
-Make the tackles as part of the back defensive pattern
-Make tackles as cover defence
-Take and return kicks to back three
Role during 2nd phase Attack & Defence
2nd Phase Attack
-Finish movements and score tries
-Find space and counterattack
-Keep the ball alive by setting targets and finding support players
-Working with back three and midfield
-Chasing kicks (deep kick-offs, every kick on front of me)
-Act as a decoy runner
-Be a one-off runner from ruck/mauls
-Provide thrust in the backline from depth: run straight lines at pace
-Demand the ball when I am in space. Let the inside backs know
Role during penalties/free kicks
Attack:
-Always get into position quickly
-Communicate attack and defensive needs to the backline
-Cover the touchline
-Find space and demand the ball
Defence:
-Talk with back 3 (wings and fullback) to cover the field
What my unit does
-Unit = both wings & Fullback
-Wins games by creating space, communicating and scoring tries
-Has a high involvement/ work rate
-Provides decoys and acts as the extra man in the backline
-Puts pressure on opposition by using clever kicks
-Provides the last line of defence
Who can help me do my job better?
-Forwards by giving me a solid platform to run from, and by getting the ball going forward
-The flyhalf and centres by running straight and creating space
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