How do I become a better prop?
A modern prop needs to be able to defend with the same intensity as the other 13 players on the pitch. They also need to be able to attack and carry with power. Rugby is quite simple in its most basic form. The team that is better at getting the ball closer to the opposite try line will usually win.
Which side is loose head prop?
The loosehead prop is positioned to the left of the hooker and their head will be on the outside of the scrum when it engages. The tighthead is to the right of the hooker with their head positioned between the opposition hooker and the opposition loosehead prop.
What makes a good loose head prop?
Head position It can be advantageous for the loose head to get his head underneath the tight head’s, and onto the opponent’s chest. It is likely that their tight head prop will want to go “cheek-to-cheek”, to keep your loose head square and not allow them to wheel.
Why is tight head prop important?
A tighthead prop is definitely the most important player in a team. A team with a good tighthead is often seen dominating scrums, which not only gives their team front-foot ball, but also often results in scrum penalties for their team.
What is the job of a tight head prop?
A tighthead prop is the cornerstone of a scrum, that is all of the angles of force come through him. A loosehead is tasked with trying to isolate and get under a tighthead prop, with the intention of trying to drive him up, while a tighthead tries to either pin him down using his greater weight.
What number does a tight head prop wear?
Historical and traditional schemes
| Position | 1950s British custom | Standard modern numbering |
|---|---|---|
| Scrum-half | 7 | 9 |
| Loosehead prop | 8 | 1 |
| Hooker | 9 | 2 |
| Tighthead prop | 10 | 3 |
What’s the job of a tight head prop?
This “trapped” position between the two led to the name “tighthead.” When your team has the put-in, your job as tight head prop will be stabilisation. You should anchor the scrum and try to lower your body position so that you are underneath your opponent.
What’s the role of a loosehead prop in rugby?
The role of the loosehead prop at scrum time is to support the hooker while he attempts to win the ball in the scrum. A loosehead prop must aim to drive the opposing tighthead prop up and back. This is done to clear space for the ball to move from the scrum half to the hooker. More on this in the guide to scrums.
How did the loosehead prop get his name?
Obviously then, the loosehead prop gets his name from the fact that the left side of their head is free to move and therefore “loose.” The role of the loosehead prop at scrum time is to support the hooker while he attempts to win the ball in the scrum.
How many tackles does a loosehead prop make?
A loosehead prop will make around 7 or 8 tackles in an average game. This is not as high as the average for flankers or locks, but the intensity of these tackles matter. Props play a game of inches, and if you are driven back in a tackle, you are not doing your job correctly.