How to Be a Good Rugby Center Player

Rugby centers are divided into two positions, the inside center and the outside center. Both players are responsible for making the breaks and providing a link between the scrum and fly halves and the wingers. The centers are typically the largest players of the "backs" (not scrum) of the teams. Being a good center requires that you improve your skills in certain areas.

Instructions

    • 1

      Practice your passing. Being a link between the fly half and the scrum half who distribute when the ball comes out of the scrum to the wingers, who are typically the fastest players on the team, requires that you have good passing skills. You should be able to handle and distribute the ball quickly, as well as be able to see the best pass to make and available options.

    • 2

      Improve your fitness. An important part of being a center is the ability to see the gap in the line of players and make the breaking runs through to bring about try-scoring positions. Working on your cardiovascular fitness as well as strength will help you make better breaks and be able to throw off tacklers as you try to push your way through.

    • 3

      Work on your kicking. Kicking is an important part of the rugby game in the ability to advance the ball and play forward or to find extra space for play. Practice judging how far you should be kicking it as well as the techniques for directional control. Practice your drop kicks for the event that you have an opportunity to score a drop-goal. Aim to improve your distance and directional control.

    • 4

      Practice your tackling. A center's role is not just in offense. You should be able to tackle any opponent trying to break through the lines and also be familiar with holding the ball up when you go to ground until the supporting forward players get there to aid you. Practice using tackle bags and ruck and maul scenarios with the rest of the team to aid your development in this area.