What is Rugby?

What Makes it Unique?

• Rugby ball is oblong, which can make its movement somewhat unpredictable

• No Forward Passing• Very low cost to play• Excellent for high level of fitness – strength & cardio• Relies on team effort over individual effort• Everyone can score• There is no need to be “a huge guy”

What’s it all about?• Emerged from Soccer when William Webb-Ellis

picked up the ball and ran with it• Related to Soccer, American Football, Aussie Rules

Football, Gaelic Football• Two 40min halves with 10 min halftime• Clock runs continuously (unlike Football)• Team that scored receives after scoring (unlike FB)• Allow 6 subs per match (not counting blood subs)• Field is approx. 130m by 70m (including try-zones)

The Field

How to Play (Basics)

• Objective – Score the most points• Scoring – Try (5 pts) Touch the ball down in the opponent’s

try-zone (end zone).– Conversion (2 pts) Free kick from distance after a

try– Drop Goal (3pts) Kick through the uprights at any

point while in play– Penalty (3pts) Free kick from the point at which

the infraction occurred

Passing/Kicking

• Passing– “Flick” the ball to another player behind/to the side of

your position– Immediately slow down so that you are behind the ball

(on-sides)• Kicking– “Pass” the ball by kicking it to yourself or another player– Kick out of bounds intentionally (kicking for touch) in

order to gamble for field position– Kick-off starts the game & sometimes re-starts play

Kicking off

Receiving

Tackling/Rucking• Tackling– ALWAYS: hit low, wrap up your opponent and take him

down with you and roll away once you’re both on the ground

– NEVER: Clothesline, Spear Tackle, perform wrestling moves, or ever leave your feet to perform a tackle.

• Rucking (when someone gets tackled)– Step over the tackled player and form a “wall” – Bind to your teammates to hold against opposing players– Rucking is complicated – video demonstration needed

Scrums/Line-outs

• Scrum (usually following a penalty call)– Forwards from both sides bind together and lock

shoulders with their opponents driving with their legs in an attempt to win the ball

– Scrumhalf of team that “wins” passes ball to backs• Line-out (when the ball goes out of bounds)– Think of it as a jump ball mixed with a throw in– Forwards line up in two lines and jump/lift for

possession, throw between two lines, team that “wins” passes ball to backs

Penalties (Basic)• Knock-on– If the ball leaves your hands and moves forward at all

(even catching a kick)• Forward Pass– Receiver is in front of passer

• High Tackle– Dangerous to tackle at/above chest level

• Hands-in-Ruck– You cannot go for the ball if you are not on your feet

• Off-sides– You must be behind the ball in order to play it

Scrum on left side of field

Line out

Positions

• Forwards (The Pack)– Big, burly, and slow– Their job is to “win the ball”

• Backs– Skinny, agile, and fast– Their job is to move the ball downfield & score

The Forwards

• Props (#1&3) - Stocky and tough. Backs up other players in the scrum and the lineout. Intimidation is one of their most important tools.

• Hooker (#2) - Big but agile. Hooks the ball in the scrum and gets it to back row teammates. Also throws the ball in the lineout.

Forwards

• Locks (#4&5) - Almost always the tallest players on the team. Responsible for winning the ball in the lineout and a major factor in the scrum.

• Flankers (#6&7) – The #6 Flanker is big, tough and capable of bone-crunching tackles. In the lineout, they back up the jumpers. The #7 Flanker’s major role is to mess with the backs on the opposing team, so they are usually quick.

Forwards

• Eight Man (#8) - Holds position at the back of the scrum, and is often the most imposing figure on the back row. Responsible for getting a good ball to the scrum half, passing during loose game play and nabbing the ball in the lineout.

The Backs

• Scrumhalf (#9) - Generally one of the smaller players. Must be great ball handlers and also aggressive. They either put the ball back in play during loose play or feed the ball to the backs after the forwards snag it.

• Flyhalf (#10) - The team’s decision maker, who makes the call whether to kick or pass the ball to the backs.

Backs

• Wingers (#11&14) – The Wings are super speedy and frequently found making a mad dash for the try-line. Wings must also be agile and aggressive off kicks.

• Centers (#12&13) – The Inside Center (12) is usually the bigger center. Responsible for breaking through the oppositions’s defense and stopping their offensive attack. The Outside Center runs well in space and either runs the ball himself or gets it to a teammate.

Backs

• Fullback (#15) - Last line of defense before the goal. Must be able to tackle well and an excellent kicker. Often the fullback will run outside of a wing to create an extra man situation.

Equipment (Kit)• Jersey (shirt)• Shorts• Socks• Cleats (boots)• Ball• Mouthguard• Pads [optional]– Made specifically for rugby, high density foam 1cm thick