What do you need to practice as an openside flanker?

Answer 1

Speed and stamina as well as general body strength are vital. Scrummaging techniques to support the prop your binding to are very useful these days due to the "set and engage" rules now coming into force. Good tackling techniques are vital in this role as the O/S flanker is to attack the 10 channel from the scrum and support their own backs in the attack process. Most good flankers have developed a tackle and turn move to spin the ball carrier in a manner that turns them to face the flankers team. This allows for improved ruck/turnover counts. Most o/s flankers are now utility backrow players and can move to blind or number 8 when required. The lineout is now also an area where o/s flankers are being used as a jumper so good hand eye coordination is important as is the timings required to take the jump call.

Ball handing skills - Very important. There are a number of excellent examples of o/s 's being used in the direct route ball carrying where they will link with backs having taken in the opposing rush defense leaving "holes for the attacking backs to make breaks