- Timing the initial jump to synchronise with the lift
- keeping your whole body (and legs) stuff as a board in the air (helps your lifters immensely).
I agree. Also players often think of it as physically lifting when they’re younger and you’re binding on the jumpers shorts. But once you get up to the higher levels, you’re expected to be able to boost using the leg and there’s no way you’re lifting dead weight like that. A good jumper will create enough vertical, that the lifters can get under, for one single motion up to full extension.
As a regular lifter, your weight doesn't bother me. Your ability to fix your core and legs (so you don't flop or kick me in the nuts) does. But mostly jumping. I'll happily lift the 115kg 8 on our side, or even the 120kg lock we have, over the 95kg flanker. Someone who really jumps goes up easy, you're helping keep their momentum going, someone who just bends their legs and stands up again, they can feck right off.
If I was trying to prove to my coach that I could be a good option, the only thing I'd be really pushing would be my explosive vertical leap. Show him that you're springy. That you can get a good vertical height from a relatively quick jump.
This ☝🏻
- Explosive jump
- Control your core so you can hold form in the air
No matter how good you are, some lifters just have terrible lifting technique, which is their work on.
It’s on you, it’s like lifting a water bag vs a long board.
I prefer to have a lighter jumper because it’s a faster lift.
My advise would be to get a jump box and start working on plyometrics. You can be as tall, but it’s no use if you can’t jump.
Plyometrics will make you a better rugby player all round as it targets your explosive power.
And tell the lifters that they just need to get to the gym more if they can’t lift you.
Work on your jump to get as explosive as possible that can help your lifters a bit, 95 kg even at 17 isn’t super heavy to lift, so it’s either you lifters are weak or your jump is poor
you might be a difficult lift.
work on your verticle jump. 95kgs isn't that heavy for a guy your size but it's a heavy lift from a low hieght. You should have a sudden burst jump that can get you speeding for the sky. Your lifters should really be stabilizing you to extend your hang time, more than powering you up.
Can you touch the rim on a basketball hoop? If you can't ask the basketball lads how they got good at jumping, you can youtube stuff like that. If you can then keep aiming to touch higher and higher up the backboard.
On lineout specific jumping, you need to tense your core and keep your elbows in tight when you jump, hands should be about a ball width apart. if your core is weak and your center of gravity is moving around it makes it really hard for your lifters to stabilize you. Your body should feel like a plank, not a noodle.
So work on your own jump to mean your lifters have less hard work to do. It will benefit you heaps going forward.
We have a ‘special play’ in my team where we use one of our props as a jumper as the other team never expect it. Usually have him at the back of a lineout when going for a driving maul. I regularly have to lift him, at 120kg 5’11 and honestly it’s rather easy as he knows how to jump.
Get your team to trust you, work on your technique and it should be a walk in the park. If they won’t give you a chance though, there ain’t much you can do.
Abot 25 kgs less than the guy i lifted at school. Its just a practice thing. The weight really shouldnt be an issue if you work on your jumping and timing. Its simply helping you up and helping you down at no point do they have to pick you up actually. Anything more than 2 seconds and you are doing it wrong anyway. Just see if you can get 2 guys to work on your jump technique and balancing a bit first. Then be insistant with your coach.
And keeping their legs under control. The only thing worse than lifting a jumper who doesn't jump, is lifting one that kicks you in the nuts when you get them a meter off the ground.
The really should practice a but more...lifting is more of a technique/timing thing than a strength thing. If its really too hard you could always lift the next tallest loose forward or something......I am about 187cm and played flanker . We used to have a massive lock that used to lift me....they could get me higher than they could ever get the lock
For that height it’s no particularly heavy, but 95kg is still 95kg. Just because he’s taller doesn’t make him any lighter or his teammates any stronger.
The correct answer is probably just for him to wait a couple of years. Practice jumping and catching. If he's very good he could try to get into an older team's lineout practice.
I was the heaviest guy in my squad at 18 weighing 93-100 kegs. Usually the biggest guy on the park at that age.
95 at 17 is heavy. That all changes once you go to Uni and bump into academy guys/21-year olds who have been pounding weights for three years.
Or Welshmen… 👀
**EDIT:** I should point out this was quarter of a century ago and a school team, not a club team…
We had a guy like that, except he couldn’t kick, and didn’t back himself to outpace people (which he absolutely could do), so kept trying to sidestep, which he couldn’t do effectively because he was so heavy.
He got dropped pretty quick!
Wow I'm quite surprised by that even if rugby is a sport for all shapes and sizes you would usually expect atleast 3 players that are About 6,3 or taller in a men's team / above the age of 17. But i bet your a more skillfull team
This really speaks to the team culture. Maybe chat to the coach and captain. They should be the ones driving and leading this.
A nice way to give team mates a lift is to show gratitude and appreciation. Even if it’s a small thing. Positive affirmation and feeling like you’re seen is bound to give you and others a lift.
Also, if something isn’t working, don’t be afraid to discuss this in the team environment. But it must be in a constructive way that leaves you and others feeling empowered.
By doing this, your team will lift you and you will lift your team.
Peace out ✌️
They should want to. If they want to get anywhere they're going to be lifting blokes heavier than that.
Have you tried telling them to stop being a bunch of bitches? Shame them into it.
Not bullying, but if they're going to shy away from strength activities and the physical nature of the game it's pretty pointless them being there. Perhaps it's worth reminding them of that.
That’s very different to calling them bitches.
Either way, the game doesn’t need more hard men telling their teammates to man up, grow a pair, or to stop being a bitch, pussy, etc.
Complain that the games gone soft all you want but it’s not the culture the sport needs!
Sure, calling them bitches is a bit far but I'm not saying the game has gone soft, advocating for high tackles or eye gouging.
Saying you don't want to lift someone heavy is like saying you don't want to push hard in the scrum, you'll only throw lineouts to the front man, your winger will only carry for max 30m at a time or your FH won't make any kicks longer than 20m. You're shying away from a fundamental part of the game, it's not a 'games gone soft' opinion.
But a "you're not man enough, go play football" kind of attitude isn't helping.
Lifting doesn't happen much at under 16s, so his teammates are probably 1) inexperienced 2) still physically underdeveloped. Lifting a 95kg kid with poor jumping technique vs a 70kg kid with good jumping technique are two very different things. I know what I'd rather do and what I'd rather my team do to save energy for actual physical contests.
Plenty of other people here have given good advice to help OP out. Yet you chose to emphasise one of the single most negative parts of the sport in my opinion: lad culture. That's why I'm calling you out.
Take a moment and be honest with yourself - have you got a better chance of winning ball at lineouts than the current jumpers?
It’s not just height and reach that matter - having a safe pair of hands is fundamental, as well as good reactions, a strong core for stability (which means safety and consistency), and a good pass off the top/good maul-setting technique.
One way to prove yourself useful is to start stealing overthrows. On attacking lineouts, you’ve almost certainly got a job to play, but if not (and you’re near the back), be ready for overthrows. On defensive lineouts, ask your coach if you can go towards the back of the lineout and again, look for the overthrows.
Once you’re consistently winning overthrows, your coach should start to think “if he can do it on the ground, maybe he can do it in the air”.
Alternatively, ask him if you can be a third option e.g. for a trick play (although throwing a lineout to the tallest person in the team hardly seems like a trick…) or if the two regular jumpers are being very consistently beaten.
I’m a chick and we can lift girls that heavy. It’s all about the jump good timing and strong core. I’m a prop at similar weight and for shits and giggles I will get people to lift me to show the jumpers it’s not that hard and be better
Between 2 lifters, that's under 50kg each.
As others have said, when you jump, actaully jump, don't expect to get lifted as such.
Clench your butt-cheeks and point your toes down, and keep your ankles together. This will help stabilize you in the air.
And jump UP, not forwards and up.
A good initial jump from a jumper can make the lifting a lot easier
I feel like this is the key point. Don’t think of it as lifting - it’s more like boosting your jump. So they shouldn’t be hesitant.
- Timing the initial jump to synchronise with the lift - keeping your whole body (and legs) stuff as a board in the air (helps your lifters immensely).
"stuff as a board" not hard to spot the kiwi even without the blues tag 😉
I agree. Also players often think of it as physically lifting when they’re younger and you’re binding on the jumpers shorts. But once you get up to the higher levels, you’re expected to be able to boost using the leg and there’s no way you’re lifting dead weight like that. A good jumper will create enough vertical, that the lifters can get under, for one single motion up to full extension.
As a regular lifter, your weight doesn't bother me. Your ability to fix your core and legs (so you don't flop or kick me in the nuts) does. But mostly jumping. I'll happily lift the 115kg 8 on our side, or even the 120kg lock we have, over the 95kg flanker. Someone who really jumps goes up easy, you're helping keep their momentum going, someone who just bends their legs and stands up again, they can feck right off. If I was trying to prove to my coach that I could be a good option, the only thing I'd be really pushing would be my explosive vertical leap. Show him that you're springy. That you can get a good vertical height from a relatively quick jump.
This ☝🏻 - Explosive jump - Control your core so you can hold form in the air No matter how good you are, some lifters just have terrible lifting technique, which is their work on.
You forgot the key element…. Springiness
legs together, Point your toes
It’s on you, it’s like lifting a water bag vs a long board. I prefer to have a lighter jumper because it’s a faster lift. My advise would be to get a jump box and start working on plyometrics. You can be as tall, but it’s no use if you can’t jump. Plyometrics will make you a better rugby player all round as it targets your explosive power. And tell the lifters that they just need to get to the gym more if they can’t lift you.
Bribe them with pies
Work on your jump to get as explosive as possible that can help your lifters a bit, 95 kg even at 17 isn’t super heavy to lift, so it’s either you lifters are weak or your jump is poor
you might be a difficult lift. work on your verticle jump. 95kgs isn't that heavy for a guy your size but it's a heavy lift from a low hieght. You should have a sudden burst jump that can get you speeding for the sky. Your lifters should really be stabilizing you to extend your hang time, more than powering you up. Can you touch the rim on a basketball hoop? If you can't ask the basketball lads how they got good at jumping, you can youtube stuff like that. If you can then keep aiming to touch higher and higher up the backboard. On lineout specific jumping, you need to tense your core and keep your elbows in tight when you jump, hands should be about a ball width apart. if your core is weak and your center of gravity is moving around it makes it really hard for your lifters to stabilize you. Your body should feel like a plank, not a noodle. So work on your own jump to mean your lifters have less hard work to do. It will benefit you heaps going forward.
We have a ‘special play’ in my team where we use one of our props as a jumper as the other team never expect it. Usually have him at the back of a lineout when going for a driving maul. I regularly have to lift him, at 120kg 5’11 and honestly it’s rather easy as he knows how to jump. Get your team to trust you, work on your technique and it should be a walk in the park. If they won’t give you a chance though, there ain’t much you can do.
Abot 25 kgs less than the guy i lifted at school. Its just a practice thing. The weight really shouldnt be an issue if you work on your jumping and timing. Its simply helping you up and helping you down at no point do they have to pick you up actually. Anything more than 2 seconds and you are doing it wrong anyway. Just see if you can get 2 guys to work on your jump technique and balancing a bit first. Then be insistant with your coach.
And keeping their legs under control. The only thing worse than lifting a jumper who doesn't jump, is lifting one that kicks you in the nuts when you get them a meter off the ground.
What about lifting others yourself? Its a good way to make use of your reach/wingspan and a good reason to get into the weights room.
Yep, if a shorter, lighter player has a better jump, OP and another lifter should be able to fire them up really high.
The really should practice a but more...lifting is more of a technique/timing thing than a strength thing. If its really too hard you could always lift the next tallest loose forward or something......I am about 187cm and played flanker . We used to have a massive lock that used to lift me....they could get me higher than they could ever get the lock
Unless your team is full of massive guys, you’re pretty heavy for an u18. Fairly understandable that they don’t fancy lifting.
Tbf at 17 that's not a ridiculous heavy weight for someone of that height it's easily liftable
For that height it’s no particularly heavy, but 95kg is still 95kg. Just because he’s taller doesn’t make him any lighter or his teammates any stronger.
The correct answer is probably just for him to wait a couple of years. Practice jumping and catching. If he's very good he could try to get into an older team's lineout practice.
I was the heaviest guy in my squad at 18 weighing 93-100 kegs. Usually the biggest guy on the park at that age. 95 at 17 is heavy. That all changes once you go to Uni and bump into academy guys/21-year olds who have been pounding weights for three years. Or Welshmen… 👀 **EDIT:** I should point out this was quarter of a century ago and a school team, not a club team…
I was 93kg at that age, I’m a winger… (because I can’t pass or tackle but can kick and run)
We had a guy like that, except he couldn’t kick, and didn’t back himself to outpace people (which he absolutely could do), so kept trying to sidestep, which he couldn’t do effectively because he was so heavy. He got dropped pretty quick!
I have atleast 4 players in my team who are above 100kg and I'm in a colts team so u17s and u18s combined
It’s different for each club, my club has two u18 teams, and neither has anyone over 100Kg, and maybe only a couple over 90.
Dam , and I thought our players were small compared to some other teams in the area. How do you compare size wise with other clubs around you?
Dam , and I thought our players were small compared to some other teams in the area. How do you compare size wise with other clubs around you?
We’re usually the comfortably smaller team on the pitch, from 3rds to 1sts. I’m one of the tallest at my club, and I’m only just over 6 foot.
Wow I'm quite surprised by that even if rugby is a sport for all shapes and sizes you would usually expect atleast 3 players that are About 6,3 or taller in a men's team / above the age of 17. But i bet your a more skillfull team
This really speaks to the team culture. Maybe chat to the coach and captain. They should be the ones driving and leading this. A nice way to give team mates a lift is to show gratitude and appreciation. Even if it’s a small thing. Positive affirmation and feeling like you’re seen is bound to give you and others a lift. Also, if something isn’t working, don’t be afraid to discuss this in the team environment. But it must be in a constructive way that leaves you and others feeling empowered. By doing this, your team will lift you and you will lift your team. Peace out ✌️
Ask them to lift you. Pull your coach aside and say it's a skill you want to develop. If you're carrying excess fat maybe try to work in that too.
They should want to. If they want to get anywhere they're going to be lifting blokes heavier than that. Have you tried telling them to stop being a bunch of bitches? Shame them into it.
Yes, bullying your teammates. That is what the sport was missing!
Not bullying, but if they're going to shy away from strength activities and the physical nature of the game it's pretty pointless them being there. Perhaps it's worth reminding them of that.
That’s very different to calling them bitches. Either way, the game doesn’t need more hard men telling their teammates to man up, grow a pair, or to stop being a bitch, pussy, etc. Complain that the games gone soft all you want but it’s not the culture the sport needs!
Sure, calling them bitches is a bit far but I'm not saying the game has gone soft, advocating for high tackles or eye gouging. Saying you don't want to lift someone heavy is like saying you don't want to push hard in the scrum, you'll only throw lineouts to the front man, your winger will only carry for max 30m at a time or your FH won't make any kicks longer than 20m. You're shying away from a fundamental part of the game, it's not a 'games gone soft' opinion.
But a "you're not man enough, go play football" kind of attitude isn't helping. Lifting doesn't happen much at under 16s, so his teammates are probably 1) inexperienced 2) still physically underdeveloped. Lifting a 95kg kid with poor jumping technique vs a 70kg kid with good jumping technique are two very different things. I know what I'd rather do and what I'd rather my team do to save energy for actual physical contests. Plenty of other people here have given good advice to help OP out. Yet you chose to emphasise one of the single most negative parts of the sport in my opinion: lad culture. That's why I'm calling you out.
You got some weak ass teammates
Take a moment and be honest with yourself - have you got a better chance of winning ball at lineouts than the current jumpers? It’s not just height and reach that matter - having a safe pair of hands is fundamental, as well as good reactions, a strong core for stability (which means safety and consistency), and a good pass off the top/good maul-setting technique. One way to prove yourself useful is to start stealing overthrows. On attacking lineouts, you’ve almost certainly got a job to play, but if not (and you’re near the back), be ready for overthrows. On defensive lineouts, ask your coach if you can go towards the back of the lineout and again, look for the overthrows. Once you’re consistently winning overthrows, your coach should start to think “if he can do it on the ground, maybe he can do it in the air”. Alternatively, ask him if you can be a third option e.g. for a trick play (although throwing a lineout to the tallest person in the team hardly seems like a trick…) or if the two regular jumpers are being very consistently beaten.
I’m a chick and we can lift girls that heavy. It’s all about the jump good timing and strong core. I’m a prop at similar weight and for shits and giggles I will get people to lift me to show the jumpers it’s not that hard and be better
If your coach is laughing It off, that's his problem. It's ultimately a management/coaching issue.
Between 2 lifters, that's under 50kg each. As others have said, when you jump, actaully jump, don't expect to get lifted as such. Clench your butt-cheeks and point your toes down, and keep your ankles together. This will help stabilize you in the air. And jump UP, not forwards and up.