Children's interview questions. Ideas please?

[cornish tigress]

I am going to do a kid's interest interview of a few rugby players for a book. What questions would kids want to ask a rugby player?

Any great novel ideas?

[Sherpa2]

I am assuming no pun was intended with 'novel' ideas CT that would be beneath your dignity

Howsa about 'what do you think just before you have to tackle someone twice your size coming at you really fast'?

or

'do you grin inside when you are travelling at speed and are the size of Alex T and someone like Lamby or Nick Abedabadooda is stood in front of you'?

[Kinoulton]

Those are good questions. I would add:

If you've just done something really poor, like throw a pass that gets intercepted, or fail to catch a high ball, what do you do to get your confidence back? Make a big tackle? Chase down a long kick?

When the opponents launch a long bouncing kick which is bouncing around near the touchline, everyone seems to avoid playing it, and they often let it roll out. Is this team instructions? Because surely you're wanting to pick it up and run with it?

What techniques do players use to ensure that when they are tackled, they always go to ground facing the "right way", that is so they can present the ball to their support players.

Being honest, what offences do you most often get away with (e.g. not releasing, crooked feeds, blocking).

[Rizzo]

Does getting hurt worry you?

Do rugby players still drink lots of beer?

Why is rugby better than football or NFL?

Is the rugby ball harder to hold than a round ball?

(from ideas from my friend's kiddies when told that we watch rugby instead of football.)

[cornish tigress]

These are great, thanks guys. It beats "What's your favourite dinosaur?" and yawn yawn "Which was your favourite match?"

[Gate]

Although, on that tack, "What's your favourite beer" might not be a bad one.

"Which player did you admire most when you were growing up?" and "Who is the dirtiest player you've ever played against?" was what I got from Gate Junior I. "Could you ever be a referee" was Gate Junior II's contribution...

[Old Hob]

"Do you follow a coaches' plan or are you allowed to make your own decisions.?"

"Does the Captain change things on the pitch, reorganise or change tactics?"

[SPIKE@srufc]

How hard do you laugh at the footballers when they roll around on the floor having stubbed their toe.........


or "What's your favourite biscuit?"

[fleabane]

Following on from Spike's question:

"Why do you think rugby players don't roll around when they've been knocked to the ground?"

You could help them draw some great conclusions from their own answers about attitude, culture, cheating and acceptable behaviour in sport (and life in general).

Boring, maybe, but didactic.

[Kinoulton]

This is straying slightly off topic, but relates to previous threads.

When I've refereed junior football (association football for the pedants) matches I've found that the skill level, strength and athleticism amongst the young players is immensely better than when I was that age.

However, there seem to be two sorts of players.

Player 1: Is the type that produces a superb tackle that takes the ball cleanly and at the same time (why not) leaves the tackled player in no doubt that he has just been tackled.

Player 2: Is the type who considers it an absolute afront that he has been tackled and lays on the ground squealing at me (the ref) that he is hurt, it's all unfair, and why don't I ref properly.

I just say this because I don't want all soccer kids tarred with the same brush. The player 1 type can, and often does, play rugby to a high standard.

[fleabane]

Point is well made Kinny; fortunately rugby seems to have a preponderance of player 1. The question to ask the kids is "Why?". "What is it that makes rugby different?"

[Kinoulton]

Point is well made Kinny; fortunately rugby seems to have a preponderance of player 1. The question to ask the kids is "Why?". "What is it that makes rugby different?"

I think it's that hard thing to pin down. It's just the "culture" of the two sports.

It would be a good question to ask the tougher kids though.

[Suz]

Fairly boring ones, but
- Have you always played the same position, or did you start playing a different position.
- If you could play any other position which would it be and why?
- How do you pick which player is going to be the one to lay on the ground and steady the ball to allow the kick to take place when its really windy. And if its you do you worry that they will miss kick the ball and get you?

[cornish tigress]

Thanks everyone. I am going to use loads of those. NOW - who should I ask? I have a plan for Tigers if they are kind enough to reply. What about from other clubs? I am not so well up on their young guns. They need to be quite squeaky clean I think, role model types. Danny Grewcock? Any suggestions?

[Skin_and_Muscle]

Because I don't have much imagination today, how about the list of nominees for community player of the season-

Olly Barkley, Bath Rugby
Mike Tindall, Gloucester Rugby
Richard Blaze, Leicester Tigers
Paul Sackey, London Wasps
The Northampton Saints squad
Hayden Smith, Saracens

Asking some of the Exeter Chiefs squad might be an idea too- would be topical!