1. Flanker Facts
Rugby flankers are two of the 15 positions on a rugby union team. Flankers play in the forward line and received their name because they flank the forwards during a scrum. The primary goal of the flankers is to gain possession of the ball during rucks and mauls, which occur when neither team has possession. Flankers provide pushing power during scrums and are often the first players to break from the group. Flankers are typically the players being lifted into the air by their teammates during line-outs. Of all the positions on the rugby field, flankers have the fewest responsibilities.
2. The Scrum's Support System
A scrum is a power struggle between two rugby teams to gain possession of the ball when game play is restarted, and flankers keep their team stable. The flankers are the sixth and seventh positions in a scrum, which resembles a huddle. Their job during the scrum is to help keep all the players in the pack on their feet and provide forward momentum. The flanker playing closest to the side the scrum where the ball is fed in should help control the ball after it's been played by the hooker. The flankers need to stay balanced and on their feet during the scrummage so they can transition easily from pushing against the opposing team to sprinting onto the ball.
3. Lessons in a Line-Out
During a line-out, the ball is thrown in from the sidelines. Rugby rules allow the teams to lift a player into the air to gain possession of the ball during a line-out. The jumper must pass the ball off to a teammate as soon as he receives it. Many teams opt to lift one of the flankers in the air and position the other flanker near the back of the line-out to receive the ball from the jumper. If the jumper isn't a flanker, then one of the flankers typically helps hoist the jumper into the air.
4. Play Defensively
Although flankers are members of the forward line, they still must play defensively when the opposing team has the ball. The flankers apply pressure to the opposing inside backs while the other team attacks. Following a tackle, the flankers have the option of intercepting the ball as the tackled player releases it, picking the ball up from the ground or stepping over the ball entirely and driving into an opposing player.
5. The All-Around Player
Flankers might have the fewest responsibilities on the field, but they should be two of the best all-around players on the team. They must be quick with the endurance to keep up with game play as it moves up and down the field. Flankers should be able to carry the ball as well as hold their ground in a scrum and following a tackle. After gaining possession of the ball, flankers must be able to fight off opponents.
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