Gridiron v Rugby

[mattyj46]

Originally Posted by nzrugby

The hardest change for you will be remembering to use your arms in the tackle and the fact that play does not stop when a player is tackled.
Oh, and best not to get on the wrong side of a ruck, having three or four forwards doing the two step on your ribs can be painful.
In the technical sense the biggest change will be the fact that even as a tight head prop you will be running with the ball.
So skills such as how to pass to both the left and right are important for all the players on the team.

Oh, remember, you will be the ONE calling the play if you are running with ball in hand, YOU have to make the decision when to pass so as to put your fellow player into space.
I coached a bloke who had played a lot of American football, the biggest difference to him was that football often had plays mapped out, where as in rugby opportunities often came from rucks where the players had to make the play as they went.

I don't think that will be the biggest change, alot of players use the arms, as with rugby league around 60% of the highlight hits are done without arms. Just the whole ruck situations would be enough of a headache.

After watching the first game of the AirNZ Cup tonight, its amazing how much more interesting rugby league is, and this is coming from someone who is in and in rugby.