Hi, I was just wondering if anyone could help me out with something.

I was watching a few of the games over the weekend and noticed that a few of the hookers were taking a few steps away from the ruck before passing the ball. Some just passed the ball straight from the floor in one movement. When is the correct time to do either of them?

Also, what should a 9 be looking for in the defensive line if he wants to have a run from dummy half himself.

Thank you

It tends to differ with each player, whether that be personal preference or coaches instructions.
Hookers like to have a dart from dummy half when their team mate has won the collision in the previous tackle and gets a quick ptb as a result. Also watch for when the markers aren't properly set, many will use that as a chance to either make a break through the gap in the defensive line directly behind them or force them into making a tackle while in an offside position and therefore conceding a penalty.

I used to play a lot at hooker and the decision to scoot would be due to a few reasons. A collision win and quick play the ball, markers not set, the size of the markers (big guys couldnt get me even if they were set) and if there was only 1 marker (dummy one way, go the other)

My passing off the floor used to be pretty good, so i didnt normally take a couple of steps, but the times i did, where if i needed to engage the markers, so step out of dummy half, make the marker attempt the tackle on me, then pop the pass to a player on the run

It can depend on both the type of player and the type of attack the coach/team wants. It can also depend on where the team is going to attack on that play or set.

For example if on that set or play you're going to target the area around the play the ball then the hooker will probably just take a step to the side and forwards a little. This should engage the marker and leaves a hole behind the play the markers and in between the markers and the A defender that a runner can run diagonally into. They may do that 2 or 3 times to target 2 or 3 players and make them do repeated tackles.

Alternatively if you're looking to play wider then the hooker will often run wider out from dummy half and look to engage either the A, B or even sometimes the C defender. Paul Aiton was particularly good at this for Leeds last season. Engaging a B or C defender and then getting the ball out to either Moon or Watkins to take advantage of it.

As for scooting, I think most hookers will scoot when they can because it's nice easy metres and sends the defence back quickly. However there generally aren't that many opportunities for it, especially in the last couple of years since the change to the rules for markers.

playing hooker is all about making decisions and quickly. the top class ones tend to get these decisions right more often than not

Watch Cameron Smith.

Watch Joshua Hodgson.

Thanks for the advice.

I've not played there long but I'm struggling with it really. I guess it's experience but knowing when to engage the markers, when to run and when to just pass is something I'm not finding easy. Hopefully it'll come in time though.

remember, if you need a bit of time to organise the attack in your half early in the count, stand back for a couple of tackles and let your backs scoot some early metres. by the 3rd tackle you should have got your lazy forwards sorted out and can run the plays again

Don't think about it. If you go into every play trying to think about whether you should run or pass or ran and then pass you will be nervous and screw up and end up stifling your team's attack. Just use your instincts, play what comes naturally and remember that your main job is to get the ball to where it needs to be, which is usually to where the halfbacks want it to go.

Most of the scooting decisions are covered above.

Just a quick note on taking a step or two before passing.

When you're defense lines up the only gap in the line is generally behind second marker. The idea of "jumping" the ball before passing if for the hooker to freeze the second marker into thinking there's a scoot. The first receiver then steps into the gap behind second marker for easy yards. Watch James Graham or Chris Hill for their foorwork after the hooker jumps the ball.

That stuff is not important, this guy is not playing in the NRL. The main thing is just for him to get the ball quickly and efficiently to where it needs to go. There's nothing more frustrating than when an inexperienced hooker is messing about trying to do fancy stuff and ends up killing the attack because nobody else can get their hands on the ball. Just distribute efficiently and understand where to work to on the field in order to set up an attacking position for the halfback. He should be telling you if he's any good.

I happen to think this is very important . Considering you only really pass to your halves after play 3 . If you have an easily readable hooker just willing to pass it to one of the two props running off tackle one. Its not long before they all have big red crosses on them .

Apologies if its stating the obvious but:

Ask your coach and find out what they're expecting of you.

Its all very well running from dummy half, but if you're the best ball distributor then any gain you might from running make could be negated on the next PTB.

Did Stevo tell you that?