Scrum Half

Major Requirements

1. Athleticism, coordination and ability
2. Mental alertness
3. High level of fitness
4. Communication ability
5. Mental and physical fitness
6. Unselfishness
7. Anticipation
8. Ability to pass the ball quickly from the ground or the air.

Essential Skills

Handling

1. Ability to throw four types of pass i.e, standing, spin, dive and reverse.
2. Understanding the type of pass required for different situations.
3. Understanding characteristics of a good pass; speed, accuracy and length.
4. Understanding ingredients in good passing; speed of reflex, body balance, correct position of hands and feet.
5. Elimination of bad passing side.
6. Ability not to turn back when passing.
7. Ability to deal with good and bad quality ball, both in the air and on the ground.
8. Ability to pick up ball at speed.
9. Ability to feed the scrum accurately and correctly.

Kicking

1. Ability to kick accurately and quickly with both feet.
2. Ability to execute a variety of kicks i.e., clearing, high side line box kick, short blindside chip, high midfield kick, varied length grubber, drop kick.
3. Understanding of increased kicking responsibilities on a wet or windy day.
4. Ability to step back to create space for kicking.

Running

1. Ability to run with low slung body position.
2. Ability to run with speed, strength and agility.
3. Ability to accelerate quickly and run speedily over 10 metres.
4. Ability to recognise and react to opportunity.
5. Ability to breach defence as an attacking option.

Contact

1. When caught in possession form role in maul.
2. Ability to tackle effectively from rear, front and side.
3. Ability to fall on ball and to quickly regain feet.
4. Understanding defensive options of pressure or cover defence.
5. Ability to retain possession in contact situation after tidying up.

Position

1. Understanding of half open stance with ball between your and target.
2. Abiltiy to stay as close as possible to ball in open play.
3. Ability to stay as close as possible to ball round scrum and ruck.
4. Understanding benefits of standing in front of line outs.
5. Ability to play important role in supporting ball carrier.
6. Develop defensive understanding with back row.
7. Understanding opportunities for counter attack from cover defending role.

Remember

1. You are the link between forwards and three quarters.
2. Your encouragement to the forwards is vital.
3. Your link with your five eight is special and has to be worked at.
4. Work hard to develop all the skills you need; practice to develop your reflexes, agility and coordination.
5. You need a high level of fitness
6. Develop a special feature of your game. Confidence gained will then transfer to other part of your game.