Rugby
Played Old White last Saturday for the Atlanta cup. It was my first game on an A-side mens team and the intensity and speed of the play was not unexpected, but definitely a step-up from college games. I started at second row and dominated the line-outs. I secured every ball thrown to me and intercepted about half of their throw-ins by jumping in the first pod. I'm relatively light with long arms, good hands and good swimming-built core strength, so I'm quickly turning into a Victor Matfield type line-out specialist. We had a tough time setting the mauls on the line-outs; their opposite front pod would quickly drag me down to the ground before the maul was set.
In open field play I got to practice proper tackling technique. In college games you can get away with staying upright and just slamming to the ball-carrier then taking him down with your upper body. But against 250-pound men, I learned real quick to just let them go to one side of me, then spring low at their hips, wrap up and let my weight take them down. It was the first time I felt comfortable around the rucks, knowing when to go in and clear out, when to spread wide for the next phase, when to seal over the ball, when to pick and drive, etc. Going in support of the downed ball-carrier is my favorite part of the game.
I looked up the stats on most of the locks who played in the world cup. I'm the same height if not a bit taller than most, but with about 40 pounds left to gain to be the size of a Simon Shaw or Nathan Sharpe--that is, absolutely huge.
I had to take this whole week off from organized practice due to some nasty shin splints. I found out I can sprint pretty damn fast, out-running all but one of our backs, but having not run a step for two years up until a few months ago, my legs were unprepared for the stress.
The reason is that unskilled runners overstride, and land heavily on the heel with each footstrike. When this happens, the forefoot rapidly slaps down to the ground. Effectively, the foot, which is dorsiflexed prior to making contact with the ground, is forcefully plantarflexed. This forceful plantar flexion of the foot causes a corresponding rapid stretch in the attached muscles. A reflex in the muscles responds, causing a powerful contraction. It is this eccentric contraction which leads to muscle soreness and possible injury to the muscle, tendon or connective tissue.
Yeah, that's about it. I'm stepping it up in the weight room and walking as little as possible.
In open field play I got to practice proper tackling technique. In college games you can get away with staying upright and just slamming to the ball-carrier then taking him down with your upper body. But against 250-pound men, I learned real quick to just let them go to one side of me, then spring low at their hips, wrap up and let my weight take them down. It was the first time I felt comfortable around the rucks, knowing when to go in and clear out, when to spread wide for the next phase, when to seal over the ball, when to pick and drive, etc. Going in support of the downed ball-carrier is my favorite part of the game.
I looked up the stats on most of the locks who played in the world cup. I'm the same height if not a bit taller than most, but with about 40 pounds left to gain to be the size of a Simon Shaw or Nathan Sharpe--that is, absolutely huge.
I had to take this whole week off from organized practice due to some nasty shin splints. I found out I can sprint pretty damn fast, out-running all but one of our backs, but having not run a step for two years up until a few months ago, my legs were unprepared for the stress.
The reason is that unskilled runners overstride, and land heavily on the heel with each footstrike. When this happens, the forefoot rapidly slaps down to the ground. Effectively, the foot, which is dorsiflexed prior to making contact with the ground, is forcefully plantarflexed. This forceful plantar flexion of the foot causes a corresponding rapid stretch in the attached muscles. A reflex in the muscles responds, causing a powerful contraction. It is this eccentric contraction which leads to muscle soreness and possible injury to the muscle, tendon or connective tissue.
Yeah, that's about it. I'm stepping it up in the weight room and walking as little as possible.