RUGBY BOOTS FOR DIFFERENT POSITIONS-BOOTS FOR FORWARDS, BACKS AND CENTRES

Look at the players in any rugby line up and you’ll almost immediately be able to spot the backs from the forwards. But did you know there are different rugby boots by position?

Forwards are all about strength and power while the backs focus on speed and agility. And while there are skills (like ball handling and tackling) which every good rugby player will need to master, the two types of player need two very different skill sets. For that, they need different boots.

Rugby Boots for Different Positions - Boots for Forwards, Backs and Centres

What rugby boots for what position?

The position you play on the pitch is going to see you making very different movements and footwork. It’s therefore essential to choose rugby boots by position – they should be capable of taking the pressures that each position places on them.

Forwards – power and stability

Life in the pack is all about attacking. Whether you are protecting possession, winning it back from the opposition or gaining ground to set up a scoring position for the backs. For that you need to have power. In the professional game it’s not unusual for a scrum to weigh more than 1,500 kg and the pressure when both sides engage is even greater.

So boots developed specifically for forwards should have:

  • Good grip – long studs dig deep into the turf to give you a stable footing
  • A secure, fitted heel – this prevents your foot from moving while you push forward, giving you a more stable platform
  • Durability – they need to be built to last with so much pressure placed on them
  • Plus, they still need to be flexible and lightweight enough for forwards to react quickly and get to the breakdown fast.

Backs and centres – speed and agility

This is where most of the points are scored. With the move often set up by the forwards, it’s the backs and centres that make darting runs and skip past the opposition to the try line. They also need to be able to kick – whether it’s an up-and-under, a grubber kick or a conversion.

So backs tend to need rugby boots which feature:

  • Lightweight materials – every gram counts when you need to be quick
  • Grip – the studs are positioned so you can change direction more easily
  • A snug fit – the foot-hugging leather upper helps when kicking

Common question: Are football and rugby boots the same?

At first glance, rugby and football boots look pretty similar. However, there are some crucial differences between them. Rugby boots tend to be wider and a little heavier than football boots (football players need light, tight boots for maximum ball control). Rugby boots are also designed to take a lot more pressure and typically have longer studs to dig into the ground and keep you supported in the scrum.

If you already own a pair of football boots and are just looking to try rugby out, they will do fine for a training session or two. But if you want to play the sport more seriously, you’re going to need proper rugby boots.

Rugby Boots for Different Positions - Boots for Forwards, Backs and Centres

Preventing injuries

Rugby boots can also play a part in reducing injuries on the field. At ASICS we’ve pioneered a new style of boot with a heel that is 10mm higher than the front of the boot. It’s a first for the game and it’s designed to reduce the load on the Achilles tendons, calf muscles, hamstrings and back. We call it HG10mm and it’s used in all our rugby and football boots – browse the collection here.