<--Back Dearest Bubba, My interest in rugby is simply that of a spectator. How do strategy and tactical maneuvers figure into the game of rugby as compared with "thinking on one's feet" in spur of the moment decisions? BTW, what is a lock and what is the importance of this position? Thank you, Vicarious Rugger Dear Vicarious, That is an excellent question! There are too many players that don't make that distinction! I'll do my best to better define that fine line. First, strategy is the game plan that you put together and practice. It is normally based on the strengths and weaknesses of your team. You try to play to your strengths- speed, strength, size, etc., and protect your weaknesses- small pack, inexperienced backs, lack of speed etc. For example a strong team with inexperienced backs would want to concentrate on ball retention, keeping the ball in the forwards, playing alot of crashes off the base and, when it is out to the backline, have them bring it back to the forwards when they get in trouble. A speedy team with good backs would probably rather spin it out at every opportunity, relying on their speed and ball handling skills to create opportunity. Strategy is also influenced weekly by your opponent. Knowing how your strengths and weaknesses match up with theirs will dictate how you approach that particular game and may cause you to vary your normal strategy. Tactics are the individual and unit skills and tendencies that you use to execute your game plan. If your pack is strong but slow, you might want to maul, if it is light and fast, ruck. Backlines might want to exploit a large center by using him or her to crash more frequently. A speedy winger might be used to best advantage through kick and run tactics. Kicking for touch or field position against a strong defense is a tactic that helps you quickly gain better position, while you may opt for a scrum on a penalty rather than kick for touch and take the line out, because you can't win your own lineouts. Thinking on your feet is something different. A player that can think on his/her feet and be truly effective is a player that knows the team game plan and strategy; knows which tactics support that plan and which ones his opponent is vulnerable to. He or she remains also remains at all times aware of what is going on in the game; who on their own team is tired or playing hurt, who on the other team is tired or hurt; who has fresh wheels; what weaknesses and tendencies has the opposition shown during the course of the game; where at all times is his support and the oppositions defense; where they are on the field; how much time is left; understands the way the ref is calling the game that day; And lastly, can use all of that information to formulate split second decisions under extreme stress and fatigue! Not too much to be on top of! We see players that we say just "have a feeling for the game" or "They're a natural, good instincts." But it isn't instinct, in so much as instinct is knowledge and the ability to act on it. These players are SMART! They THINK! They approach the game as something more than a physical test! Rugby is a very cerebral game. Too many players and fans see rugby as a simple contact sport. Not nearly enough appreciate it for its mental side. Thinking players are better players. Ask any young side embarrassed in a scrimage by their Old Boy Side! As a fan you can increase your enjoyment of the game (and players can too) by studying your favorite teams and players and their opposition. Study enough and you can appear psychic, predicting plays before they occur! Whew, that was long winded! Now on to your easy question. A Lock or Second Row binds in behind the Front row giving stability and drive to the set piece. They are often the jumpers in a line out due to their usually tall stature. Due, I am sure to my years on the Front Row, this definition I found on the web seemed humorous and accurate to me. Locks - Slightly below the front row on the food chain. As with front row players it is inadvisable to put an appendage you wish to keep near This group's maw when they are in the feeding mode. This group of large, often foul smelling brutes is also more than willing to relish the finer points of stomping on a fallen opponent's body and will gleefully recount the tale ad infinitum. While they tend to take the tag "Powerhouse of the Scrum" a little too seriously, they can be useful if inured with the proper hatred of their fellow man. While members of this proud fraternity like to think of themselves as "open to unconventional ways of thinking" - like the Front Row, they are usually just dumb. (author unknown) Cheers! Rugby Buddha Dearest Buddha, I am an avid golfer. However, I long for the excitement that golf does not always provide. To that end, I have created a new sport. I call it Coed Full Contact Rugby Golf. The game is played according to the rules of rugby. The game is played on the golf course rather than on the pitch. And, instead of a rugby ball, golf balls and golf clubs are used (much more exciting in a ruck). The uniforms are traditional rugby with the exception of golf shoes with spikes, of course. Care to play? Vicarious Rugger Dear Vicarious, Sounds great! Make it "nekkid" too and I'm definaely in!! Cheers! Rugby Buddha Dearest Buddha, We are kindred spirits. But, alas, whilst I did consider Naked Coed Full Contact Rugby Golf, I love the Rugby shirts much too much to give them up. Perhaps nudity would be more appropriate for the after-the-game celebration. I understand this is a common tradition amongst rugby types. Win or lose, one would naturally feel better in the buff after a long, hard rugby match. More importantly, I am considering joining the local rugby team in an attempt to broaden my horizons and learn the fine art of rugby. Oh, rugby buddha, impart to me your wisdom. How does one who has never been an active participant in sports, besides golf, go about preparing to play rugby? Cya, Vicarious Rugger Dear Vicarious, First, since you are no longer "Vicarious" but an actual participant I think you need a new nickname. How about we take out a few letters and shorten it to "Vicious"? Next, start running. Rugby demands a lot of stamina and the more aerobically fit you are before practice starts, the easier it will be. I have a feeling you are really going to have fun, and give as much to the game as you get from it! me updated on how it goes!! Cheers to a new member of the family! Rugby Buddha Dear Rugby Buddha, Am I too old to play rugby at 50? Mr.Figes Dear Mr. Figes, Sir (and I mean that as a token of respect for some only slightly older than myself) you are definitely not too old to play rugby! I have seen two teams composed of no one under 60 play full contact rugby. The oldest guy on the field was 87! Check out the Golden Oldies Rugby Tournament, held every two years, for inspiration. I leave this weekend for the Saranac Lake Can/Am Tournament, accompanied by three members of our squad 50 or older. We will be playing in the over 35 division. One in particular, James Michael Duggan is at 51, one of the toughest and savvy-ist players I have ever encountered in my 24 years of playing. Mike is somewhat slower, but his experience and determination to push himself beyond his limits, continues to make him a competitive player. He hits hard, hustles till the final whistle and has a knack for making younger players look foolish. It has been my experience that as the body becomes more reluctant to answer our demands, the mind finds a way to compensate. You need to keep playing! Drop down to the B or C side if you feel the need, but continue to play and share your leadership and experience with the younger players in your organization. Like they say, "Old age and treachery will beat youth and enthusiasm every time!" Keep those boots on the field! Rugby Buddha PS- If you want to find an Old Boy Side to play with, email me back with your location and I'll put you in touch with someone. Myself and a girlfriend stopped by a Welcome Home Party at the Westin Hotel last night. Pretty much just wanted to meet new people, etc. But, due to the pictures of the Gay Games on one of the tables at the silent auction, my friend insists the team is gay, and we had no business being there. I said maybe team was straight, but simply enlightened. Who's right? From a Fan-in-the-making Dear Fan, Enlightenment can be found in the most surprising places, even the deepest darkest recesses of a ruck! I am not sure which welcome home party, for what team you attended, but I can say that the rugby community is much more enlightened than you would expect. Women's Rugby seems more so than men's, probably because women in general seem to be more enlightened and tolerant than their male counterparts.( but there is a new men's team in DC that is predominately gay and one in England, too). All in all though, most ruggers male or female accept players regardless of race, religion or gender preference. That is not to say that the rugby community as a whole is even close to politically correct. It is and always has been a haven for individuals who enjoy life on the fringes. People outside our community point to our excesses, lewd songs and traditions, and frown upon frequent displays of publicly unacceptable behavior. But they rarely get past the surface image. Ruggers, as a whole, have more honesty, integrity, tolerance, loyalty, compassion, courage and heart than our society as a whole. Male, female, gay, straight, bi, black, white, purple, Protestant, Pagan, Catholic, Jewish, Islamic, Hindu, Buddhist, Wiccan, Hippie, Metal head, Preppie, Yuppie, White collar, Blue collar, Pocket protector, ...whatever, all you need to be a welcome part of our community is a love for the game. You are always welcome. Come visit again and stay as long as you like! Cheers! Rugby Buddha