How to be a good football and rugby player?

Question

I play both and i want to get better...a lot of people im sure is gonna tell me that im too old to start out now because im in my late teens but i started playing rugby this year and liked it but football has been what i liked more....so how do i become a good player when starting so late...please dont give me any negativity or cheap one line answers....please break it down for me and i will reward the person who answers good....i also will email ppl if i want more detail from them.......thats what i usually do

Answer 1

Regardless of position
Regardless of age
There are some skill sets that are vital to both sports.

Before I mention those, I will tell you that there are also psychological factors that you either already possess or will only be able to develope as your experience and time in the sport matures. There will be a day when you can tell yourself - the competition is 90% psychological.

You need heart, determination, high self-esteem, a superior mental attitude and awareness, and a positive perspective.
You have to love it...all of it, the fatigue, the work, the pain...all of it.

Now - heres a clue -
You have to understand that the harder you work in practice; the better your performance in game time.
However - every idiot loves to say "practice practice practice". I'm here to tell you - thats crap.
Practice doesn't make you better - perfect practice makes you the best.
If you practice running a crappy route, you'll run a crappy route in a game.
Practice your execution perfectly and you will execute perfectly in a game.

So - on to skill sets and what it takes to be a better player.

You have to be agile.
Agility determines how well you make your cuts, how quickly you alternate your speed (slowing dow vs turning on the jets), it also governs your ability to change directions quickly.

You have to have cardio vascular endurance.
This allows you to push hard the entire game and gives you that stamina, that extra "umph" to push a little more at the end when it's needed.

You have to have physical strength.
Your muscles need to be able to recover from the physical impact as well as the stress from play itself.

Lastly, you must know the skill sets required for your position and you have to be able to understand the "intent" of your position clearly.

So - what how whens???
Agility, strength training, and cardio vascular work are done pre-season.
Skills sets are done in season.

Working out for a max bench press after the third game is NOT where your priorities lie. Mid season, you need a cold hard critique of your play and you need to zero in on those points after practice - when you're tired.

I hope this helps.

Answer 2

I excelled in high school football but didn't have the size to play at the collegiate level, that is when I discovered rugby. I have now been playing rugby for longer than I have football and I love it.

There are many skills from football that can translate to rugby but also several that are bad. The biggest difference is that in football you try and get every yard you can when carrying the ball, but that is not the case in rugby (keep possession and use support).

Keep playing both, as you get older there may not be opportunities to play much football (unless you have the ability to play at the collegiate level and the pro's) but there are several rugby clubs in almost every major city and most universities of all sizes where you can play for many years.

Answer 3

I play both football and rugby competitively (Goalie and Outside Center) and id definitely say rugby players have more bulked up muscle, also you run just as much in rugby as you would on a soccer pitch, and throw in the fact that you need to hit people and get hit the entire time. RUgby is a much more muscle intensive sport

Answer 4

Get fit first. You must be fit to run your heart out like that. Do lots of agility work too, it helps with dodging etc really important for sports like these two. Just practice practice practice, it's never too late. you get the fitness and agility down pact and you will work wonders in those sports. Make sure you can catch a ball though :) I'm sure you can. Get team mates to help motivate and push you too, even your parents, Dad in particular if you can. Good Luck! I hope you become famous. If you need any further advice don't hesitate to email me.

Answer 5

it depends on what position you should play and i say should because if your small you don't need to be on the line, if your slow you don't need to be a receiver, ect...start with what you want to play and if your natural talents aren't close to what that position requires then find a different one. i played alot of positions in high school and and i allways say i wish i knew then what i know now. let me know what position you want to play and i can give you better advice. also is this for high school, college, or just for fun.