So when he is asked to play out of position - somewhere he has not played since he was at school - there can only be one answer.
Dixon (23) is a No 8 who can occasionally play blindside. But he was asked to play openside flanker last week, with the Highlanders barren in that area because of injury.
''I last played there when I was at school, and that was six years ago, so playing there was different,'' he said.
''I am still learning. I don't know half the things, really. But I suppose I have got a pretty simple game plan. I just have to get to the first ruck and then look up and see where I am needed.''
Dixon made a reasonable fist of his first game in the No 7 jersey for the Highlanders against the Crusaders and is likely to front again tomorrow when the side takes on the Hurricanes in Wellington.
A wet-weather forecast may make for a different sort of game for Dixon this week.
''It is meant to be quite a wet day, so that is going to be quite different. We have been playing under the roof or in Africa.
"That will make it a big tighter for all the forwards - more kicking, and possession will be king.''
Dixon is in his third year with the Highlanders and is signed for next year, but his career so far has been blighted by injury.
He dislocated his elbow in his first season and last year ruptured his pectoral muscle, both injuries putting him on the sideline for long periods of time.
''It was bad luck, really. It was not like they [injuries] came from over-training. I just had to train hard and get back on the field.
''That is the way to get better at this level. They look after you pretty good here.
"The training programmes are pretty good and the medical staff are top notch. But nothing beats getting back on the paddock.
''First year, I did not get a game. Second year, I only played two games, so it is frustrating.
''This year, I think it has been up and down. I got a few good starts at the start of the season.
"Later in the season, the games I did get to come on, we were down by a few points, which makes it tough.''
Dixon, who hails from Christchurch but plays for Southland in the ITM Cup, has bought a house in Mosgiel, and is enjoying the Dunedin lifestyle.
The Highlanders will travel to Wellington to face a Hurricanes team which will be playing for pride, its playoff hopes gone.
The Hurricanes have named Faifili Levave on the blindside flank and Alapati Leiua on the right wing in the two changes to the side which lost to the Chiefs last week.
The Highlanders will name their team today.
Hurricanes team
To play Highlanders
James Marshall, Alapati Leiua, Conrad Smith (captain), Rey Lee-Lo, Julian Savea, Beauden Barrett, TJ Perenara, Victor Vito, Karl Lowe, Faifili Levave, James Broadhurst, Jeremy Thrush, Ben May, Ash Dixon, Ben Franks.
Reserves: Reggie Goodes, John Schwalger, Mark Reddish, Brad Shields, Jack Lam, Chris Smylie, Matt Proctor
