An education...

So, 2nd game, contested scrums. Ouch. Seriously ouch. But I was grinning once we made it into the clubhouse, and I definitely enjoyed it!

The weather on Friday was lovely, the weather on Sunday, for the kiddies, beautiful, the weather on Saturday? A 10C drop from the days either side, pouring rain and high winds. So instead of having my first exposure to scrums in good conditions, for just 20 minutes at the end of a won game, it was scrum after scrum, as the blooming backs couldn’t keep hold of it, and every time I felt near folded in two!

The issue was my setup (and my opposite number cheerfully admitting after that he was boring in like crazy). I wasn’t setting up square, which meant trying to hold an extremely strong opposition scrum on just one leg, clearly it wasn’t working. After going back a bit, I’d manage to catch myself, get in a better position, and stop the momentum, but not always before being bent and twisted a bit!

**My setup now is improved, issue seems to have been I wasn’t getting my shoulder through far enough.**

The game itself couldn’t have been much different to the scrums though! Although we were getting beasted there, our backs were like lightning (at least when they weren’t dropping the ball), and our defence in open play was solid. We ended up winning very comfortably.

As the game went on, I really started to enjoy being part of the front row union, even with the pain. In the 1st half, we stood up from a scrum (their put in, they went forward a good 3-5m), and somehow we were 40 yards up the pitch with possession (swiftly knocked on). Our second row asked the question we were all thinking “How the hell did that happen?” The opposition hooker replied that he had no idea, the rest of us just shrugged and headed over to the next scrum.

Later in the 1st half, once again we came up from a scrum in our 22 (our ball this time, which we just about secured), and our backs had gone 60 yards up the pitch and were still going, “Bollocks to chasing that.” said I, “I was just thinking the same thing.” replied their loosehead.

I came off at half time, coach said it was nothing to do with my performance (was it bollocks!), but I must admit, I took a small amount of ego soothing, when I saw the replacement tighthead do about as well as I had managed! After a while, we swapped our hooker (that club stalwart, fullback to front row conversion) to tighthead, and suddenly we had a stable scrum! Didn’t last long though, as he bundled over for a try and quickly signalled that it was time for him to be subbed!

I’d actually just told the coach I’d rather stay off at that point, but if he needed me, I’d go back on. I was getting well beaten, knew it wasn’t getting fixed quickly, and was freezing cold! So back on I trudged.

At this point the opposition had 3 of our players playing for them (merit leagues, we’re all just there to play and have fun), and they were soon to have another. Another scrum, as we lined up we realised that their hooker had gone down, supposedly cramp in both legs. As he was there, getting both his legs stretched out, the jeering started:

“He’s not got cramp! He’s just not had KFC in an hour!”

“It’s a boy!”

“Stop having a lie down, you lazy ****!”

And that was just his own side!

The sharper members of the tight 5 from both sides had a sudden realisation. It was about 40-0, cold, wet, and the hooker had been down for a good 5 minutes already! The question was asked to the ref:

“Sir, have you stopped the clock???....  Please tell us you haven’t!”

“It’s alright lads, the clocks still running…”

“Thanks sir! Good one!”

Relief, no one wanted to have another 5 minutes added on if it wasn’t needed!

Unfortunately their hooker was unable to recover, so on came our 1st choice hooker, only working for them! Unsurprisingly, I was bent in two again. Our hooker later pointed out (and this was confirmed by their loosehead in the bar), that their 2nd row were awesome in the scrum.

Sadly (well, not really), around the next scrum (so probably 30 seconds later), it started to just get too wet, and too slippery for me to keep my feet. With no more replacements, no more shuffling etc available, the ref declared uncontested scrums for the last bit of the game, in the interest of safety.

Shortly after that, he blew the whistle to finish the game (2nd half definitely seemed rather short, but everyone appreciated the ref for it!).

Into the changing rooms, into the showers, into the bar. Found my opposite number (tricky at first, since they were all making a weekend of it, and were in mexican fancy dress!), and had a good old natter.

A definite baptism of fire, and one that got repeated again and again due to conditions, but I came away wanting to get better, rather than wanting to give up.

Got a message the next day from our hooker, suggesting that it may be better for me to try hooker, to help with the mental side of not getting blasted as much,  and that he’d talked to the team manager about it too. Told them both that I’m a rather self deprecating kind of guy (I’d said, truthfully, that I’d got mullered in the scrum!), and I actually felt I’d done fairly well for a first try, and planned on getting a lot better, and getting beaten hadn’t really effected my mindset for the rest of the game (except for discomfort!). Asked for more advice on twitter (thanks guys!), read up even more online, watched more videos etc, and talked to my coach/manager about my setup. There’s so much information out there, and I’m sure it’s mostly good stuff, but I’m trying to keep it in little steps, so I can focus on just a few bits, and get them right/better, before moving on to other less vital improvements.

Injuries (still no photos I’m afraid, but not much worth photographing)

A very sore back/neck.

Sore knees.

Sore calf (still).

Sore quad (still, other leg to the calf thankfully).

Sore temple (presumably from the guy boring in and my head getting squeezed).

*Tiny feet - What joy! My DBS check is back, meaning this poor broken man could run around with the youngsters…

We had a good time, even a little bit of playing actual tag games (I wasn’t there for that). Apparently it was chaos, running backwards and throwing the ball forwards, still good fun though.

At the end of it, as usual the coaches got together to talk about player of the week. I swear, I had nothing to do with it, but my son got a few recommendations. When asked if he was my son, and told I couldn’t vote, I said I’d vote against him anyway. Regardless, my boy went home with the player of the week award, and took it into school to show off. Unsurprisingly, it came back broken (not the first time that’s happened to it though), so a bit of superglue and it was all ready to go for the next week.

*********** As always, any advice on propping is more than welcome! Please comment here or contact me on twitter. Or if you know someone that could help, please link them in. **********

Training hurts…

Now I’m turning up to training (usually with a ride from another player), and feeling quite comfortable. We play touch, I run out of breath (but moving more now). We then start splitting into two groups, one running through some attacking games. 4 players needing to get round individual pad holders, but only in a 5m channel (3 pad holders), then similar, but after you go round the pads, you wrap around and have to play down the line, with the pad holders becoming defenders, and playing touch.

A few muscles were pulled along the way, and when we got to the running in attack down the line bit, I was hopping and hobbling along as quick as possible, making sure my communication was on point (or in other words, yelling at the others to go outside of me so i didn’t have to run as far!). My positioning wasn’t great, need to make sure I’m deeper and wider, so the first man can pick from options, and not just have me blocking everything!

We then went into a game of contact, up and down half of the pitch. Supposedly 50% intensity at first, but it ramped up pretty soon. Managed to get my boot stuck in the ground as my leg kept going, and think I overstretched my calf. Thankfully it basically felt like a dead leg, so I kept going as best I could.

Something was definitely not right though, and that sore calf stuck with me for some time, but only really felt it when I squatted right down. Still, not much worse than the usual aches and pains after training, and no worse than the first week! Back to dragging myself to the shower when I got home again though, to the tune of tittering at my misfortune (or idiocy!).

First game! Uncontested scrums, a mixed blessing.

So my first game ended up as uncontested scrums. At first it was planned to be contested for the 2nd half, when our 2nd prop turned up. I thought that would be a great way to be introduced, half a game, so even if it went all wrong (and it would have done!) it was only 40 minutes. Along with good conditions, there wouldn’t have been too many either, especially as the question only arised with 20 minutes to go. However the opposition, who were getting hammered at that point, and were mahoosive (seriously, their tighthead was well over 6ft and generously proportioned), opted to continue uncontested.  Well, since we were far smaller, winning easily, we weren’t exactly going to force the issue when it would have potentially turned the game a bit.

The game itself was great fun, except for playing on artificial turf. I got quite a nasty burn across the top of my hand, but thankfully my knees were clear.  Our team has a number of youngsters, who are rapid as shit off a shovel. Multiple times the ball would go out, and within seconds I’d just stop and clap, there was no way I was going to keep up with that. A couple of times off lineouts I gave it the old college try, but started losing yards quickly, and just gave up as once again they shot off.  It’s definitely an enjoyable way to play though, and I guess every front rows dream, a game where the backs just disappear in the distance scoring tries!

Our hooker was a club stalwart, who’d I’d not met before. He apparently started off at fullback, when he was a few stone heavier, and he’s hardly slender at the moment! Lovely fella, and eager to help me out and make sure I was alright. The team manager had apparently told him beforehand that he may need to tell me where to stand and where to go, but not to worry about much else. Great praise in my mind! Was also a joy to watch as he moved to fullback for the last 10 minutes, stood up some of their backs, toed the touchline, and only had the fullback to beat! Unfortunately, he did actually toe the touchline (though he swears blind he didn’t) and was pulled back.

At the 79th minute, we finally actually had some phases on the opposition line (rather than the 50m breaks before). We were punching up to get to the line, and I saw my chance to give it a go too. Sod the 9 screaming at me, I was taking this one up. Grabbed it, hit the opposition, rolled and twisted, the line within tantalising reach... Kept pirouetting, no doubt with the grace of a baby elephant playing, and saw my chance, went down, reached over the line…. TRY! The real relief came when it was pointed out that I’d just carried it up when there was a 5 on 2 available on the outside… I’d have got a bit of stick if I’d not scored that!

Had a good chat with the opposition hooker after the game, he was really passionate about scrummaging, and offered a few tips of ensuring I had good low body position. He was surprised their prop had said they were happy to keep going uncontested, and was quite disappointed too, but wasn’t about to argue it (think they were all a bit blown away by that point).

We had a good amount of muscle relaxant after the game, and continued on for a while once back home. A walk home after, and a hero’s welcome at home (well, at least I wasn’t laughed at for being a wreck, which I reckon counts!). Following morning I believe I was still a bit muscle relaxed, so no hangover, and no serious pains! First game, a debut try, and a comprehensive away win. No scrums, but definitely a great start to my new career!

Injury list (will try and get photos of the more interesting/visual ones!):

Nasty turf burns on the back of my hand.

Numerous bruises on limbs.

Pulled quad.

*Tiny feet - Still no DBS clearance, so still on the sidelines enjoying my son running circles round the other coaches (I knew my turn would come!). He’s still enjoying himself immensely, which is all we can ask for.  Better turnout this week too, probably due to the nicer weather! Some parents/grandparents do seem to treat it a little bit as a cheap daycare service though, I have to say it was a bit of a shock to see someone bring the child along in jeans… However overall, we’ve got a great group of kids, they all seem to have fun, and whilst there’s obviously a range of ability, they’re all pretty positive so far!

Each week, the coach gives out a player of the week award, which the child can obviously take in for show and tell etc, and my boy hasn’t had it. This time the coach told him that he’s really close, and he just needs to keep trying. I went upto the coach after the session and mentioned the player of the week, think he was a bit defensive, and said that he’s always close. I pointed out that I’d rather he didn’t get it, he can be cocky enough dancing as he wins/comes close to winning the rats and rabbits games etc, doesn’t need his head expanding further!

*********** As always, any advice on propping is more than welcome! Please comment here or contact me on twitter. Or if you know someone that could help, please link them in. **********

  Tweet

What to do when it goes wrong…

So my primary focus, after knowing I was moving into prop, was keeping myself safe. So I talked to the 2nds manager (ex/current if he gets fit again prop) along with another prop at the training session. The entire idea was to basically find out what to do when things went wrong. I figure I can work out what to do when things go right by myself, but when things go wrong, it can get serious.

Now everyone in that front row seemingly has the same worries, so I understand that everyone is going to be looking out for each other, but we’ve all heard the horror stories. They gave me a bit of a breakdown, and we did some controlled going down in one on ones. Nothing will be like the live thing, but still, it feels good to have a better idea.

The training session itself was quite a good one. Got stuck in, and even got a few words of praise from the 1st team coach for giving the 1st team a hard time in the team run. For now, I have no intentions of playing for the 1sts, but I’m happy to give them a bit more of a tough time in the team run, since it’s important they don’t just go into games without having had some competition in training.

*********** As always, any advice on propping is more than welcome! Please comment here or contact me on twitter. Or if you know someone that could help, please link them in. **********


  Tweet

Prop it is!

Another Wednesday comes along, and another start of touch. I’m actually starting to feel a bit more comfortable at this point, defending the edges of the “rucks” to some degree, actually able to breath a bit more comfortable. I’m still not keeping up as such, but no longer feeling completely lost.

As per usual, I’m getting tweaked muscles all over the place, but still trying to keep up with the youngsters, and getting stuck in. More ruck practice means more stray boots etc, and another sharp twinge in the back.

Once again we move to the scrum machine, and I’m feeling a bit more comfortable there, and get a bit of a better position when setting up, manage to shove the machine back a bit, and feel strong whilst doing it. The problematic muscle in my back has no effect on my scrum positioning, or driving through, can’t even feel it, so it’s nice to be able to work freely as such.

Another team run to finish, and again, in the defence, but once again, a few more people about, so we had a few to oppose. I decided that I was going to hassle the 9 as much as possible, and I think I managed to fluster him a little which was nice, he took it in good spirits though.

This time however, I didn’t drag myself to the shower! I walked, with semi-reasonable mobility! My body was beginning to get used to physical activity, but still rather battered, and still woke up very sore. Worse still, my back started tightening up, and wasn’t getting better as the days went by. It was an off week in terms of games, but it just kept getting worse. Managed to get a recommendation for a good physio/sports injury type, and booked myself in. I skipped the following weeks training (so I’ll not bother doing another post on it!) and went in on the Friday to have some acupuncture in the problematic twinging muscle, and gua sha, which is Chinese for evil metal scraping device (well, it probably is). There was a game on the Saturday, but they’d already told me to just take it easy, so no pressure to recover. A few days later, and my back felt better than it has in a long while! The suspicion is years of poor sleeping position has caused the issue, but now I am working to improve that, so hopefully it’ll improve, and not repeat as often.

As suggested earlier, the internet is full of kind hearted and connected strangers. Being a bit of a rugby stats geek, had led me to being in contact with a few folk, including the https://twitter.com/thedeadballarea who’s kindly hosted some of my ruck stats work on his website https://www.thedeadballarea.com/ . When I posted up that was getting back to rugby, and was going to be at prop, he kindly linked in a number of very experienced front row. Suddenly I was connected, and given lots of very good advice by a lot of kind folk. I’m hoping to be able to take on as much as possible, and keep asking them questions! Plan on going slowly, but I intend to get reasonably good at this propping malarky!

*Tiny feet - I’m actually starting to get itchy feet myself here, I want to get coaching, but still waiting on my DBS clearance.

This was a bit of a reality check on our numbers, the ultimate test in a way… first training day with rain!  It was actually a pretty good turnout, surprisingly so, and clearly the rugby gods favoured us, since it stopped raining just before practice, so was fairly nice to train in. Still doing simple practices and games, but it’s clear that most the children are really enjoying themselves, which is great to see.

**********!!!!!!!!!! Please! Anyone with any tips, advice, hints, ideas, suggestions etc etc for playing prop, please feel free to comment, either here, or tweet me. These are historical posts for now, so I’m playing prop now and loving it, but am happy for any advice I can get! Or if you know someone that could help, please link them in.!!!!!!!!!!!!************

  Tweet

Prop perhaps…?

The following Wednesday, I was actually feeling fairly healthy. Again, we started with various revisions of touch rugby, slowly becoming grab rugby. Once again, I was blowing within a few brief minutes, and quickly retreated to the wing, but managed to do a bit more, and was slightly more organised (or at least I thought I was!). 

We then ran through a few drills, practicing rucks etc, I managed to get a shin to the skull, and whilst it wasn’t enough to hurt my thick skull, it did trigger some pain in my back, but it’s a normal twinge for me, so I wasn’t worried about it. Pulled a few muscles along the way too, nothing too surprising for an “old” guy coming back to sports. 

After we split into backs and forwards again, this time the forwards headed down to the scrum machine. To start with I was providing valuable ballast on the back of the machine, I like to think I did a good job ;). Then the firsts pack moved aside, and they called up the 2nds hooker and prop that was there, then asked if anyone fancied stepping in at tighthead… my fate was decided! Being happy to give anything a try (though I really don’t fancy hooker), I put my hand up. Started off with just the front 3, then 2nd row, then flankers. We managed to move the machine, and I felt quite comfortable and strong. I’ve never done any heavy lifting etc in the gym, but know the basics of keeping a strong back, and I’ve always had reasonable strength in my legs (and that fat arse I mentioned earlier). 

Another team run at the end, this time with a few extra defenders, and I even got a few words of praise from a coach for making a nuisance of myself against the firsts. Another lift home, another broken body dragging myself through the hall to the shower (and no sympathy again! Heartless lot!). A few days later, I was listed in the 2nds team (reserves of course)! Thankfully, the game was cancelled, as the opposition couldn’t get a team together, but I was actually quite excited about getting out on the pitch again! 

*Tiny feet - 2nd week for the youngster. Thankfully he was excited to be going back, hardly surprising though, he was running round most the other youngsters, and the coaches. Bit arrogant (I suppose I could be kind and call it confidence!). No DBS check for me yet though, so another week of enjoying spectating. Some of the kids are really handy, and one in particular seems to be making a great bond with my boy. They couldn’t really look much different, my boy is a real shortarse (as I was), thin, fast and agile, the other is tall and big. He runs faster than you’d expect though, and picks some good lines, always with a smile on his face though (although he’s apparently rather disappointed there’s not real tackling for a while!). 

**********!!!!!!!!!! Please! Anyone with any tips, advice, hints, ideas, suggestions etc etc for playing prop, please feel free to comment, either here, or tweet me. These are historical posts for now, so I’m playing prop now and loving it, but am happy for any advice I can get! Or if you know someone that could help, please link them in.!!!!!!!!!!!!************

  Tweet

First day (well, evening).

Unsurprisingly, everyone was friendly and happy to see a new face. Started off with some touch, where I watched everyone run around far faster than I could manage, being very organised (at least compared to me!) and generally looking rather fit. After a few minutes, that seemed like 20 to me, the coach yelled to stop, thank god for that I thought, however it turned out it was just to change the rules, and that now the attacking team needed to start committing a man to the “ruck”. I quickly found myself on the wing, where I could suck in a few deep breaths whilst the wingers went past at pace.

After about 3 hours of touch with various variations (I may be exaggerating, slightly, but I’m fairly sure it’s only slightly), we separated into forwards and backs. When asked which I was, I said I didn’t know anymore, one of the backs said there was a simple question “Do I like running?” simple answer there, NO. Forwards it was. I now think this was actually a bit of a bad question, because as a forward you’re constantly bloody running from one ruck to the next, whilst pushing the backs away from anywhere they may break a nail, however, a sensible question of “Do you run fast?” would have elicited the same answer, and eventual outcome.

We started off doing lineout practices. Not having a clue what I was doing, I was obviously on the defensive side of things, which meant just standing there. Being an enormous 1.74m, I wasn’t an obvious choice as a lineout option (add in 93kg more or less), but when asked if I jumped, I said I’m happy to give it a go. Actually went up a few times, it was good fun, once you remembered to lock out your core. Had a few complaints that I wasn’t jumping enough, but pointed out that I was heavier than I look (most people peg me for 80kg or there abouts, it’s all in my arse/legs) I think I was forgiven a little.

As the firsts started practiced some moves, I figured we need to at least put some challenge in, so I started tackling the runner as he came through the lineout. Unfortunately, it’s the biggest guy on the team, and whilst he wasn’t running with any real venom, it was definitely a shock to my unaccustomed body! Made a bit of a mess though, and when they formed a maul, I could use my short size and strong legs to actually slow them down a bit.

After that we moved to some group practices, and was cheerfully informed that this was the first week they’d have full contact (joy!). Then onto the team run at the end of the evening. Again, I was just a defensive forward (there were about 3 of us in the opposition), but tried to at least make things a bit awkward, ripping balls in the tackle etc, if I could.

On the walk back to the clubhouse, I cheekily asked for a lift, since otherwise I was on the bus, and I really don’t think I’d have made the 5 minute walk to the bus stop, before the buses stopped running (I only had a few hours…). Thankfully there was someone heading in the right direction, and that was that. I got in through the door at home, and was generously welcomed, with a great deal of sympathy for my aching broken bod… I wish. I was laughed at, as I dragged myself to the shower, then back in front of the computer to finish work up, then bed. The following day saw some very very sore muscles, and the first thing I did was go and buy a new memory foam pillow! Things were only worse the day after (I’m sure you’re all familiar with that). There was only an away cup game for the firsts, so no mention of playing was even raised (thankfully), so I had a full week to try and recover! 


*Tiny feet - My boy had his first session, and when there, myself and most the other dads, got invited to sign up to help with coaching. Since I plan on being there anyway, it seemed like a good idea. There were a few guys from the club too, with their children involved. My son thankfully loved his first session. He’s as elusive as I was, my nickname back then was jammy dodger, age (and jammy dodgers, and other confectionery) has rather made a mockery of that now! He’s also blooming quick (something I didn’t have). It’s so much fun watching him have fun.

  Tweet