Alright, so today I’m gonna walk you through my little rugby adventure, focusing on some stuff I picked up studying Scott Lawrence’s approach. It wasn’t about becoming a pro, just soaking up knowledge and getting better.
First off, I watched a ton of videos. Not just highlight reels, but actual training sessions and game analyses featuring Scott Lawrence. I wanted to see how he broke down the game, what drills he emphasized, and how he communicated with his team. Seriously, hours.
Then, I started small. Like, really small. Lawrence always talks about mastering the fundamentals, so I focused on my passing. I grabbed a rugby ball and went to a park. I practiced short passes, long passes, spiral passes, everything. I wasn’t trying to be fancy, just consistent. I visualized what Lawrence might say about my form, and tried to apply it. Over, and over, and over.
Next, I worked on my tackling. I obviously couldn’t just go around tackling people, so I used a tackling dummy. I focused on my approach, my body position, and my grip. Lawrence’s emphasis on safety was a big deal, so I made sure I was tackling correctly to avoid injury. I imagined him yelling at me if I messed up.
After that, I tried to improve my footwork. Agility ladders became my best friend. I did different drills to improve my speed, agility, and balance. Lawrence often highlights the importance of quick feet, so I pushed myself to be faster and more agile. It was tough, but I could feel myself getting better.
Then I moved to more game-like scenarios. I organized some touch rugby games with friends. I tried to implement the strategies I’d learned from watching Lawrence. I focused on communication, support play, and decision-making. It’s one thing to understand the theory, and another to actually put it into practice in a fast-paced game. I quickly learned where my weaknesses were.
Finally, I started recording myself playing. It was brutal. Watching myself on video was like holding up a mirror to all my flaws. But it was also incredibly helpful. I could see where my technique was breaking down, where I was making mistakes, and where I could improve. I then went back to the basics, and drilled those problem areas.
This whole process was a lot of work, but it was also a lot of fun. I didn’t become a rugby superstar, but I definitely improved my skills and my understanding of the game. And that’s what it was all about. It wasn’t about instant success, but continuous improvement and loving the process.
