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What's the difference between inside and outside center?
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<blockquote data-quote="Ragey Erasmus" data-source="post: 1008225" data-attributes="member: 56232"><p>It's hard to describe because they can fulfill different roles with a fair bit of overlap.</p><p></p><p>12 - Traditionally the 12 was a strong ball carrier, one of the largest backs and their role was largely to run at gaps or heavier traffic with the aim of trying to bust through but with added speed compared to a forward. Jamie Roberts was a prime example of this and also Nonu (although Roberts did only this, Nonu developed his game). The 2nd approach is using the 12 as another distributor. Generally the 10 will play as first receiver off the 9 and will be closer to the opposition players. Sometimes they can close down the space or options for the 10. Having a 2nd distributor at 12 allows you to essentially set up 2 patterns and increase the choices from a breakdown or set piece, making it harder to close down all options. This will also allow the ball to be moved more rapidly across the field as a 12 in this role should be able to pass accurately over long distances too. In this role less is expected in terms of a hard running game from a 12. Farrell is an example of this sort of 12, although his running game is virtually non-existent so he is more a 10 playing at 12 than a 12 really. Nonu in later years developed a much better kicking and passing game and is often though of as the model 12. A fast, strong runner who can also distribute the ball when necessary. I'd say a 12 in this role has to have the most varied skillset of any player on the field. At the moment it seems international rugby is shifting towards this dual playmaker option.</p><p></p><p>Defensively a 12 should expect to deal with hard runners themselves including forwards. Strong tackling is a must as a break through a 12 will likely be in a pretty central position. Being able to deal with good footwork is less of an issue as the area around a 12 is usually more congested.</p><p></p><p>13- The 13 plays a bit more like a winger further infield. Generally they are elusive runners needing similar skills to an 11 or 14, although there isn't the same expectation that they need to be good in the air or chasing aerial kicks. A 13 relies largely on good footwork and exploiting overlaps as they should be the last player facing a defender in a 1 player overlap, allowing them to either break through themselves or hold the final defender and put the winger through. A 13 needs to have a reasonable passing and kicking game but generally not to the same degree as a distributor 12. They will usually be more limited in their passing options and it's more if they take it or not. There is more emphasis on the 13 being able to produce something themselves. Brian O'Driscoll is widely regarded as the model 13. The alternative 13 is similar to the hard runner at 12 where you put a big guy out wide and hope he can make breaks against smaller backs and away from the forwards. Unlike at 12, a 13 basher is still expected to be fast and the aim is more to make clean breaks rather than make ground. Fewer teams use this although it may be on a return. Manu Tuilagi was a prime example but I'd say a good modern example is Vakatawa for France. Vakatawa in particular has the added skillset of being able to offload out of the tackle very frequently. Lastly you can have a distributor at 13 but it would usually be a secondary role for them.</p><p></p><p>Defensively a 13 needs to master the art of using the sidelines as another defender and trying to guide attacks towards it. They will often be with a winger as the last line of a defence and could be facing overlaps. It is their job to marshal the overlap until more players can drift. It's usually better for the 13 and winger to concede ground and keep the attack under control than bite in, unless there is no more space.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Ragey Erasmus, post: 1008225, member: 56232"] It's hard to describe because they can fulfill different roles with a fair bit of overlap. 12 - Traditionally the 12 was a strong ball carrier, one of the largest backs and their role was largely to run at gaps or heavier traffic with the aim of trying to bust through but with added speed compared to a forward. Jamie Roberts was a prime example of this and also Nonu (although Roberts did only this, Nonu developed his game). The 2nd approach is using the 12 as another distributor. Generally the 10 will play as first receiver off the 9 and will be closer to the opposition players. Sometimes they can close down the space or options for the 10. Having a 2nd distributor at 12 allows you to essentially set up 2 patterns and increase the choices from a breakdown or set piece, making it harder to close down all options. This will also allow the ball to be moved more rapidly across the field as a 12 in this role should be able to pass accurately over long distances too. In this role less is expected in terms of a hard running game from a 12. Farrell is an example of this sort of 12, although his running game is virtually non-existent so he is more a 10 playing at 12 than a 12 really. Nonu in later years developed a much better kicking and passing game and is often though of as the model 12. A fast, strong runner who can also distribute the ball when necessary. I'd say a 12 in this role has to have the most varied skillset of any player on the field. At the moment it seems international rugby is shifting towards this dual playmaker option. Defensively a 12 should expect to deal with hard runners themselves including forwards. Strong tackling is a must as a break through a 12 will likely be in a pretty central position. Being able to deal with good footwork is less of an issue as the area around a 12 is usually more congested. 13- The 13 plays a bit more like a winger further infield. Generally they are elusive runners needing similar skills to an 11 or 14, although there isn't the same expectation that they need to be good in the air or chasing aerial kicks. A 13 relies largely on good footwork and exploiting overlaps as they should be the last player facing a defender in a 1 player overlap, allowing them to either break through themselves or hold the final defender and put the winger through. A 13 needs to have a reasonable passing and kicking game but generally not to the same degree as a distributor 12. They will usually be more limited in their passing options and it's more if they take it or not. There is more emphasis on the 13 being able to produce something themselves. Brian O'Driscoll is widely regarded as the model 13. The alternative 13 is similar to the hard runner at 12 where you put a big guy out wide and hope he can make breaks against smaller backs and away from the forwards. Unlike at 12, a 13 basher is still expected to be fast and the aim is more to make clean breaks rather than make ground. Fewer teams use this although it may be on a return. Manu Tuilagi was a prime example but I'd say a good modern example is Vakatawa for France. Vakatawa in particular has the added skillset of being able to offload out of the tackle very frequently. Lastly you can have a distributor at 13 but it would usually be a secondary role for them. Defensively a 13 needs to master the art of using the sidelines as another defender and trying to guide attacks towards it. They will often be with a winger as the last line of a defence and could be facing overlaps. It is their job to marshal the overlap until more players can drift. It's usually better for the 13 and winger to concede ground and keep the attack under control than bite in, unless there is no more space. [/QUOTE]
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What's the difference between inside and outside center?
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