How should i build myself to be a good rugby lock?

Gareth S: How should i build myself to be a good rugby lock?
I play lock on my rugby team im 6’1 what is an ideal weight and what muscles should i be really working out when i work out?

Answers and Views:

Answer by Dangerous
If you want to be a good Rugby lock any considerations about being a gym-bunny should be sundry.

Go to practice, play the sport and work on the key skills. For lock this is chiefly line-outs, scrums, rucks and mauls and tackling. Try and gain as much from each experience playing. And try and learn how to strip the ball and position your body most effectively.

FORGET ALL OF THIS CRAP ABOUT WORKING OUT! That’s something you should only worry about if you’ve got the time. If you plan on only trying to build yourself then you’ll just end up being this useless lummix trying to keep up with the play. Being good at Rugby isn’t that much to do with being big and strong. If you’re only in it to be ‘big and tough’ then you’re playing the wrong sport, try something fake and gay like American football.

Answer by doogala
This is only my second year playing, but the only things I’ve ever heard from experienced players about training is that lifting is completely unnecessary. Just work on your speed and work your hardest at practice.

Answer by Welsh Writer
Desipte other answers working out is actually a huge benefit to anyone trying to play lock (I should know, I’ve been playing it for 15 years!). Depending on your age group and level 6ft1 may be a tad short for lock, here in Wales it is considered more the right height for a backrow player (6/7/8).

But muscle wise locks have to focus on a very general area.

The most important work out is squats. Locks are generally required to jump in lineouts and certainly needed to push in scrums – both are skills that require massive explosive power form the legs. Use squats and plyometric drills to build up your explosive leg power.

Other than that locks are often ball carriers and ruck ‘cleaners’ so upper body strength to wrestle the ball and opposition is needed. general shoulder, bicep and chest muscles are required.

Locks and props ar probably the positions that require the most strength and it tends to be an all around muscle building, rather than specific. target the thigh and buttock muscles for the leg strength but don’t miss any areas out.

Of course fitness and skills are just as important, but thats not really related to the question!