AboutNick Vujnovich Expertise I can answer most questions in detail but I am best used for "Forward" positions especially the "tight 5" and the scrum. I am a front row guy myself. I have good knowledge of game strategy and tactics. I cannot give detailed help with kicking myself but I can suggest general training applications and point you towards good resources. I am a New Zealander living in Southern California, USA.
With regard to fitness or weight training: please understand that you are best going to a gym and getting first hand consultation from a qualified trainer. The risk of injury is too great for me to simply give you a program without being able to analyze your fitness or capabilities in person.
I really suggest going through my previously answered questions as well. The most common repeat questions refer to tackling.
Experience I have played rugby from the age of 5 (I am 33 now) I have played "Premier" rugby in New Zealand, London, California, Colorado. I have coached youth, Mens and Womens rugby.
Organizations
Education/Credentials College Degree
Awards and Honors Forwards MVP 2004 Season Back Bay Sharks, Newport Beach Ca., Division 1.
Question Hello Nick, I am from Vancouver B.C. I am going into grade 10 and playing for my local rugby league and high school team. In practices, I feel like a big strong guy and I feel very confident in what i am doing, (I am 2nd row and I am in most of the rucks) But when it comes to games, I feel quite a bit smaller and weaker. and hesitant to get into the rucks. Do you have any suggestions on what I can do to i guess get rid of this?
Thank you for you help,
-Angelo S.
Answer Hi Angelo,
This is a sports psychology issue if ever there was one.
I suggest a lot of visualization before the game. In extreme detail with your eyes closed you must visualize your self SUCCESSFULLY completing tackles. clearing players from rucks, scrumming, and all the duties of you position
Spend 30 minutes every day using visualization in silence and make detailed notes after.
The morning of your game do the same. Listen to some motivating music also. Make sure your game day warm up includes some light to moderate contact to get the mind and body in the mode for rugby. Don't let the fist phase of the game be your first contact.
Get the aggression levels up early in a controlled manner. Fear and anxiety are good, this is the body and mid preparing for the stress of a contact situation. Allow the warm up to get physical in a controlled safe way so you have a few hits, a tackle bag, a team mate with a pad, one on one with the scrum machine.
Yell if you need to get the blood fired up but keep focused as well. Do not let your emotions control you - use your emotions to motivate you.
I made sure to tell myself to "rely on my technique" I had a similar issue to you. I ended up just going with it. I played like a small guy - out of my skin. I played like you see some small guys play. You always see them and think "wow for a little guy he is fearless / hits hard / take no step back etc. Well be a big guy with a small man complex - it is a devastating way to play if you rely on your good technique and then apply all your strength to it - as if you are a small guy making up for it.
