Jolls
Well-known member
My apologies up front for the length of this post. It is something I am passionate about.In recent years, hookers are being coached to take 1 step and engage the first marker, which creates a channel in between the marker and A defender. If the forward runs the right line and gets the timing right it’s easy metres directly downfield. I think that’s what you are seeing from Liddle and Simpkin but our forwards rarely take advantage. Just thought I’d mention this as passing off the ground is not coached like it used to be. It’s still very relevant for a shift out wide. Bit of boring technical stuff before bed 🤣
Hookers - now we are talking something I know a little bit about. I played hooker for 36 years. A bit before A and B defenders were known as such but the role and art of being a hooker has changes little over that time. I wish I was good enough to have played at the elite level but I played with and against some of the best and could hold my own.
In my opinion a hooker either gets it or they don't. There isn't an in between. Always taking a step to pass the ball is a problem with many of today's players and today's "academy" coaching techniques. Templating how to play hooker should not be done - the key to developing hookers is to give them all of the tools to play the game and let them play on instinct. The key to being a good hooker (take away winning the ball back from the oppositions second row like us old timers were fond of) is to play with your eyes up; i.e. the ability to play what's in front of you.
Sure you can train an OK hooker but they will always be processing things - hooking is very much in the "even I don't know what I am about to do" playbook. As a result a lot of modern hookers play to patterns and as such take the step more times than not to engage the marker.
The key to success is to select the right attacking hooker tool based on an assessment of the speed of the play the ball, how set the markers are, the position of the A and B defender and finally what your team mates are wanting.
The aim is to make the markers and A defenders think all the time, and to make a defensive decision.
If you are playing close for a 1 up hit your runner wants to hit the back of the play the ball. One of the markers will be active and taking a step ties him up and generally allows the ball runner to hit the ad line and make some easy yards. A well drilled side will fill that space, but they usually get tired later in games so it is something that can be exploited. The forward pack, and wingers on the short side must always be pushing up so that this can be exploited.
If you get a quick play the ball the markers are not usually set so taking a few steps engages the A defender. This has the effect of pulling players in to force defensive decisions that create gaps or an overlap or alternatively allows you to turn the ball back into the void created behind the ruck. This is the classic Smith to Slater - Friend to Tedesco play. (Not something we see from our hookers and Laurie unfortunately). The key is knowing when to and which A defender to target and for the support play to be constantly pushing up.
If you are a student of Smith (now Grant), Cook, and Api you will see that when their respective teams are ready to throw "shape" out the back they always pass off the floor because they are targeting a different group of defenders.
A good hooker gets the team 50% of the way to bending or breaking the line, creating an overlap or gap by engaging the A defender or sets up "shape" though quick service. The big thing about being a hooker is that its very rarely about creating opportunities for yourself, its about observing the defenders and creating opportunities for others.
The rubbish about the halves having so much influence on the game is bullshit. It is sprouted by all of the halves that have become commentators. The hooker has their hands on the ball more than any other player and makes decisions on who to and when to pass off the ruck. They have the biggest bearing on the direction and pace of the team. That is why Smith could control a game so well and Brooks to hooker (without some intense training) is a joke.
Apart from the technical bits above, even in today's game, a good hooker is one of, if not the, most important player on the paddock. In addition to the attacking skill set outlined above they must be capable of playing the full game, unless you can afford to have a second hooker on the bench (luxury), they must be able to tackle everything that moves and they should have the ability to referee (ala Smith) as they are always in the referees back pocket.
Cheers n Beers
Jolls
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