What is a flanker?

Question

what is it

Answer 1

Apart from rugby....another description of flanker is " for something to go right against all the odds"

IE: to pass your driving test first time with very few lessons is a Flanker.

Answer 2

Their are two fankers in a rugby union 15:
6. Blindside flanker & 7. Openside flanker
The players with the fewest set responsibilities and therefore the position where the player should have all round attributes: speed, strength, fitness, tackling and handling skills. Flankers are always involved in the game, as they are the real ball winners in broken play, especially the no. 7. Because of their fewer responsibilities, flankers generally are not considered to 'lose' games, but can have such an influence that they can 'win' games.

In open play, flankers will often stand behind the back line 'supporting' them in open play. If any ball is dropped by the backs, the flankers job is to clear up messy ball and take it ito contact to start a fresh and new phase of play. Because they are always close to the ball, they are often first to the break down.

Flankers do less pushing in the scrum than the tight five, but need to be fast as their task is to break quickly and cover the opposing half-backs if the opponents win the scrum. At one time, flankers were allowed to break away from the scrum with the ball but this is no longer allowed and they must remain 'bound' to the scrum until the ball is out. Flankers also have to defend at the back of the scrum if the opposition wins the ball and the opposing number 8 decides to pick and go, a term used to describe the action where the number 8 picks up the ball from the back of the scrum and drives forward with it.

Flankers usually protect scrum-halves during scrummages from the opposing scrum-half following around and tackling him/her.

Since most of the back play is usually on the open side, where there is more space, it is usually the openside flanker's job to be the first to any breakdown of play and to get his/her hands on any loose ball (or to cause a breakdown by tackling the ball carrier or otherwise harrying him into error). At a scrum where the ball has been won by the opposition, the openside flanker often has the best view of when the ball is out and is able to break away and close down the opposing ball-carrier, reducing the time available for a pass or kick. Openside flankers are often smaller, faster and more mobile than their blindside counterparts

Answer 3

As an ex-flanker I would have to recommend Qabalts quality answer except that I would add a few things.

If you're familiar with American football, they would be a lot like a combination of a tight end on offence and a linebacker in defence. And they do play an important role in both offence and defence.

The flanker does have an important role in the scrum because they help to keep the 'tight five' tight. They don't push straight forward but at a slight angle and this solidifies the scrum. Just look at a sloppy Rugby League scrum to see the difference.

Flankers have to be tough enough to stick their noses into the rucks and mauls but fast enough to catch people in the open field. They have a lot of defensive responsibilities around the scrum but can also get involved in back-line moves if they are fast enough to get out there in support (which they should be).

A good flanker is always in the heat of the battle - no standing around or a chance for a breather. So if you like constant action then thats the position for you.

The most fun position in rugby.

Answer 4

a flanker is somebody who is in the scrum. they are players 6 and 7 they hold on to the second rows and help push then when the ball is out of the scrum they break off first to attact.
basically

Answer 5

In rugby,its one position in that you have to be the complete athele in tackling,jumping in the lineout,following the ball , .make first up tackle and to be there first to secure the ball.Flankers have the whole field to cover and usually making tackles in the loose play and in the backline as second line defense they have to be fast and have also be very aware of everything thats going on around them like anticipate the oppositions moves.last but not least they have to be good ball carriers,well thats what i did as a flanker