HOOKER The position of hooker gets its name from the primary responsibility of that player during a scrum, namely ‘hooking’ the ball back with a foot after it’s been rolled in to the scrum. The hooker resides between both props, and is supported by the props by tightly binding on with them to the point that the hooker is able to free up one foot for raking the ball. Because the props on either side of the hooker will need both feet on the ground to push the scrum as much as possible, by raking the ball backwards the hooker is the first player with a chance to secure possession of the ball during a scrum.The hooker is also the player responsible for throwing the ball in during a line-out. Along with helping on rucks and mauls, the hooker usually dictates the movement of the forwards during a match, setting up a short run by another forward or instructing other forwards on where to position themselves when on defense to be sure to get the ball back.
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