Basic rugby skills in rugby

This week we look at the bad catching skills
of the high ball under pressure of the
youngster, JP Pieterson, in the Tri-nations
match: South Africa vs Australia on Ellispark.

" It is very important to teach young players the correct basic skills. Young Pieterson is a
student at the highly rated Sharks Academy in Durban, but it is clear that no one had ever
teaches him this basic skill and because of this there can be problems for him in the future.
Jumping like a frog, while fielding the high ball, can never work. " - Jan Oberholzer

Lets look at Pieterson's bad catching skill

Pieterson moves towards the ball ,
but his hands are not high enough
(stretched) towards the ball.

Before he gets the ball in his hands
he starts turning his back towards the
opposition.

He is completely off balance and the
ball bounces from his upper body,
before it can reaches his hands.

Pieterson is in a "frog jump" position
and the ball is flying back aimlessly.

Video Clip of Pieterson's catching

The correct basic technique to catch the high ball under pressure