Rugby
The origin of Rugby football is largely credited to story that saw a young man named William Webb Ellis "took the ball in his arms (i.e. caught the ball) and ran" while playing football at Rugby school in 1823. Though some historians have questioned the story as an official investigation by the Old Rugbeian Society in 1895 the trophy for the Rugby World Cup bears the name of "Webb Ellis" in his honour, and a plaque at the school 'commemorates' the 'achievement'. Playing football has a long tradition in England and football games had probably taken place at Rugby school for two hundred years before three boys published the first set of written rules in 1845. Until the formation of the Football Association (FA) in October 1863 each football team would agree on a set of rules with opponents before a match. Teams that competed against each other regularly would tend to agree to play a similar style of football.
Rugby has established itself as the national sport in New Zealand , Fiji , Tonga , Samoa and Wales , and is a popular sport in England , Ireland , Scotland , France , Australia , Argentina and South Africa . Rugby is also gaining popularity in Italy and Japan ,
The game is played with hand, feet and an oval ball, between two teams of 15 players each, plus 7 substitutes.
The game consists on catching, picking up the ball and running with it, passing, throwing or knocking the ball to another player for scoring points, as well as kicking the ball. To take the ball from the other team, it is also possible to push with your shoulder an opponent while holding the ball.
The specificity of the game is that the passes to another team member are always in the back. Players are not allowed to throw the ball forward, it must only go sideways or backwards. This means that the majority of progress made by an attacking team occurs through a leap frog cycle of passing the ball, running to make ground, being tackled and repeating this process. Each of these cycles is called a phase of play.
A rugby match lasts for 80 minutes (two halves of 40 minutes each) and is controlled by a referee, usually assisted by two touch judges. Each team alternately attacks the opposition goal or defends their own. These goals are marked at each end of the pitch by a pair of tall (typically 10 m or more) posts set 5.6 m apart, and connected by a cross-bar at 3 m above the ground; the whole forming the approximate shape of a letter H. The attacking team may score by kicking the ball between the posts and above the cross-bar. However the ball may only be kicked from the ground: either from a place kick following the award of a penalty or from a drop kick in open play. A successful kick at goal is worth three points. The area behind each set of goal posts is called the "in goal area" and the attacking team may also score by grounding the ball in this area. This is called a "try" and is worth five points. After scoring a try, the attacking team is awarded a free kick at goal for an extra two points.
Before a game of rugby commences, traditionally, a coin will be tossed to determine which side will kick off and what direction the teams will be running, this is usually performed by a referee. In most cases, the home side will elect what side of the coin they will gamble with heads or tails, the opposing captain will have the opposite side. The winner may choose to kick-off, or decide which direction they will run. A number of elements may become part of the decision making process of a coin winner. Weather can be a decisive factor, such as the possibility of having a potentially large advantage over an opponent if there is a high amount of wind, as it would aid their kicking game. Depending on the time of the game, the sun might be a factor in the decision, being a potential problem to the vision of players, depending on which way they run. A personal preference may be that a team wishes to start the match defending, thus will elect to receive the ball, or vice versa.
Depending on when the toss was performed, both sides will make their way out onto the field. Kick-off will be performed from the centre of the field. Each half lasts 40 minutes and play comes to an end only when the ball goes dead. Variations in time and extra-time apply in any number of interpretations of the game, or tournaments. 'Half-time' lasts around 10 minutes, allowing for players to recover from fatigue and for coach interaction as well as other factors, such as time for crowds to access amenities and facilities. Once both teams return to the field, the direction they were running will be swapped over, as well as what team kicked-off, so any possibly advantage such as wind, may now be in favor of the other side, although it is possible the conditions are no longer present.
A rugby team consists of 15 players, eight forwards numbered 1 to 8 and seven backs, numbered 9 to 15. Depending upon the competition, there may be up to seven replacements (substitutes or reserves). Professional rugby contains seven reserves, with a player only being allowed to be substituted once, unless they are a front rower and are replacing an injured front rower. Another exception to this rule is the "blood bin" where a player with a visible cut can leave the field for 10 minutes and then return to continue after receiving treatment. This doesn't count as a substitution as both the reserve and the bloodied player may then take part in a later stage.
The main role of the forwards is to gain and retain possession of the ball. They take part in set pieces of the scrum and the line-out. Generally, forwards are larger than the backs, which make them stronger but slower. Forwards also have a role in taking the ball forwards, but generally do so by driving into the opposing forwardsThe role of the backs is to move the game forward by running or kicking the ball. The scrum-half will gain possession of the ball from the forwards and usually feed it to the fly half (nº10) who then controls how the attacking team will proceed. The backline will tend to score its tries by focusing on the tactical placement of players, creating holes in the opposition defence line. A successful backline will cause the opposition to commit too many players at strategic points allowing for space to open up for the faster, outside backs (wingers and fullback).
All members of the starting 15 wear jerseys numbered from 1 to 15 and keyed to their positions. The first eight players, known as forwards or the pack , play in the scrum . The remaining seven players play as the backs .
A rugby union field consists of a maximum playing area of 144x70m on a grassy flat surface. Lines are painted on to the field at regular intervals; dead ball line, try line, 22 metre line, 10 metre line (broken line) and half way. This is mirrored on the other side of the field. Lines are also located 5 metres away from the try line and side line and 15 metres away from the side line. The length from try line to try line is always 100 metres ; the only varying distances on a rugby field are the width of the playing field, and the distance from try line to the dead ball line. 1.2 metre padded flags are placed next to the field for indication on the halfway line, 22, try line and dead ball line. The try line and dead ball line flags are put on the intersection with the touch line and are considered out if hit by a player carrying the ball, or the ball itself. In rugby union, unlike association football, the lines bordering the field of play are themselves regarded as out of play.
Thus, a player standing on but not over the touch line is regarded to be "in touch". Similarly the try lines (and the posts) are considered part of the in-goal area, so a player may score a try by grounding the ball on the try line (or against the base of one of the posts).
The aim of rugby union is to score more points than the opposition. Teams score in several ways:
Try: 5 points
A player scores a try when he/she touches the ball down in the opponent's in-goal. It means, touching the ball down, in a controlled fashion, with downward pressure from any point on the body from the waist to the neck on, or over the opponents' goal line, including the base of the posts, which is considered to be part of the goal line. A penalty try can be awarded if, following any infringement of the laws, in the judgment of the referee a try would have been scored had the infringement not occurred. The try got its name because originally the touching down of the ball only gave you a "try" at scoring by successfully kicking for post, which were the only points scored if the kick was good.
Penalty: 3 points
This is a punishment for a team that has committed a foul. The penalty kick may be taken in the same way as a conversion, and in this manner is worth 3 points. It may also be taken rapidly in order to keep play moving. Finally, it can be kicked into touch, and in this case, the kicking team will take the throw-in. The team awarded the penalty kick can ask the referee to replace it with a scrummage.
Defenders must be static and at least 10 meters from the spot where the penalty kick has been awarded. The kickers' team-mates remain behind the line of the ball. This may be attempted either by a place-kick or a drop kick.
Conversion: 2 points
After scoring a try, the scoring team attempts a conversion: a player takes a kick at goal in line with where the touch-down occurred. Scoring the goal earns 2 points. This may be attempted either by a place-kick or a drop kick (commonly called a drop-goal).
Drop-goal: 3 points
This is kicking the ball above the crossbar and between the uprights of a large 'H' - shaped set of posts. This may either occur from a penalty kick or kicked from the hand during play. In the latter case, the ball must strike the ground before being kicked (a drop goal). Both types of goal score 3 points.
Passing and Handling
When passing, the ball should be held with both hands, forming a cradle around the ball. Fingers should be outstretched, holding the ball firmly and in complete control. To transfer the pass to a team mate the passer leans slightly forward from the st and dips the shoulder nearest the receiver, taking his/her arms back and then bringing them across his/her body. The passer's fingers direct the ball, and as the ball leaves the hands the arms follow through towards the receiver. The passer must keep his/her eyes on the receiver's “target area” that is a point between chests and hips.
When receiving the pass the player must concentrate and keep his/her eyes on the ball all the way from the passer's hands. He/she must catch the ball close to his/her body with both hands. Elbows are slightly bent and fingers are open and extended towards the ball, and as he/she catches it the receiver cushions the pass into his/her “target area”, with both hands enveloping the ball safely to his/her body.
- Passing under Pressure
This is a pass made by the attacking side whilst under pressure from their opponents. The skill consists in off-loading the pass on the move so that the passer and his/her support keep going forward.
- Passing from the Ground
This is the most common pass from the “dummy half” or “acting halfback” positions at the play the ball. Vital seconds are lost if the passer picks up the ball, stands upright, and then passes. This gives the opposing defence time to run in amongst the line of attack. The correct pass from the ground is given when the passer releases the ball from a crouched position as he/she unwinds upright. This pass, correctly performed, sets off the attack quickly and accurately.
- The Drop-Off Pass
An ideal pass to open a defence midfield or worked between centre and wingman. It simply changes the direction of attack. The passer veers across the receiver, sucking the tackler across with him/her and the receiver times his/her run inside the passer to hit the hole in the defence which has been created.
Running with the ball
When carrying the ball on the run, it should be held in complete control either in both hands or against the chest. Holding in the hands enables the ball carrier to off-load a pass, quickly and accurately to either side of him/her and this holding position is suggested when running against a closing defence with support from your team mates. Holding against the chest gives the runner the opportunity to use his/her free arm to help generate pace or to use in a hand-off, and the ideal time for this holding position is when running clear in a full break.
Picking up a ball and dropping on
On picking up a ball the player keeps his/her eyes on it and straddles it with his/her feet, one foot slightly in front and the other behind. Without breaking stride he/she stoops and picks it up with both hands, one on the front half of the ball and the other on the rear half. Finally, he/she brings the ball into the carrying position and continues the attack.
In dropping on a loose ball the principles do not change. The player keeps his/her eyes on the ball and, he/she drops on to it, he/she covers the ball with his/her body and gains control with his/her hands.
Set-pieces are used to restart play after a stoppage. They are, principally:
- Restart kicks (The kick-off)
The ball is place-kicked for the start of each half and drop kicked to restart after the opposing side has scored.
At the start of each half, one side kicks off. One side, determined following the toss of a coin, takes a drop kick from the middle of the centre line to start the first half. The ball must travel at least 10 metres into the opposition half. The other team kicks off the second half. The kicker's team-mates must be behind the halfway line at the moment the ball is kicked. The opposing players must be on or behind their 10m line.
The kicking side frequently kicks the ball high and aims to drop it just over the 10 metre minimum, which is marked by a dashed line across the pitch. This tactic gives their players time to chase the lobbed ball and hope to catch it before the defenders can do so. Alternatively, the kick may be a long kick deep into opposition territory, sacrificing the chance to regain possession for territorial gain.
Similarly, there is also a 22 metre drop-out. This is awarded if the attacking side is responsible for sending the ball into the in-goal area, but instead of their player grounding the ball and scoring a try it is first grounded by a defender. If the ball is kicked into the in-goal area by the attackers and instead of being grounded there by either side it continues, under its own momentum, through the in-goal area and crosses the dead-ball line, then the defenders have the option of choosing either a 22 drop out or a scrum at the place where the attackers kicked the ball. The 22 metre drop out is taken at any point along (or behind) the 22 metre line.
- Scrum
A scrum is a way of restarting the game after an accidental infringement such as a knock-on (where a player drops the ball forwards) or a forward pass. So, this results from a foul.
A scrum must be composed of eight players from each team (3 front row players, 2 second row and 3 from the back row) who must remain linked together for as long as the scrum continues. So it is formed by the eight forwards from each team binding together in three rows. The front row, consisting of the two Props (Loosehead and Tighthead) and the Hooker, 'prop' the scrum up and 'hook' the ball so it can get back to the scrum half or no. 8. The two Locks of the second row provide the power to drive the scrum forward, and the two flankers (Blindside and Openside) and No. 8 are loosley bound on, so as to support the backs when the ball gets out as fast as possible.
The two packs of forwards engage with each other so that their heads are interlocked with those of the other side's front row. The scrum half from the team that did not infringe then throws the ball into the tunnel thus formed, the hookers compete for possession by hooking the ball backwards with their feet, while the pack tries to push the opposing pack backwards. The side that wins possession usually transfers the ball to the back of the scrum, where it is picked up either by the number 8, or by the scrum half. Normal play then resumes.
- Line-out
When the ball goes into touch (i.e. outside of the area of play) the referee calls a line-out at the point where the ball crossed the touchline. The forwards of each team (though not necessarily all of them) line up a metre apart, perpendicular to the touchline and between 5m and 15m from the touchline. The ball is thrown from the touchline down the centre of the lines of forwards by a player (usually the hooker) from the team that did not play the ball into touch. The exception to this is when the ball went out from a penalty, in which case the side who gained the penalty throws the ball in. There is an advantage to being the team throwing the ball as that team then knows where along the line the throw is aimed. Both sides compete for the ball, and some players may lift their teammates. (While the Laws say that jumping players may only be supported, lifting is uniformly tolerated).
The aim of the defending side is to stop the player with the ball, either by bringing them to ground (a tackle, which is frequently followed by a ruck), or contesting for possession with the ball-carrier on their feet (a maul). Such circumstances are known by the collective name of "the breakdown", and each is governed by particular laws.
- Tackle
Tackling is a defensive action. It consists of intercepting the player in possession of the ball and holding on to him/her or making him/her fall over (with one's arms) so that he/she releases the ball.
A player may tackle an opposing player who has the ball by holding him while bringing him to ground. If a ball carrier is held by an opposition player but still has forward momentum he may continue to slide over the goal-line and score a try. One knee touching the ground, or the ball touching the ground, is sufficient for a ball carrier to be deemed to be grounded. A tackled player must release the ball, either by passing to a team mate or placing it on the ground, and the tackler must release him and move away, allowing the ball to become available, or for a ruck to form. If the ball-carrier is not brought to ground, then it is not a tackle and a maul may form. Players often deliberately go to ground rather than allow a maul to form, to take advantage of the rules governing rucks.
There are a number of laws governing how to tackle, the most notable of which are that the tackler cannot tackle above the shoulder (the neck and head are out of bounds), and the tackler has to attempt to wrap his/her arms around the player being tackled to complete the tackle. It is illegal to trip a player using feet or legs, but hands may be used (this being referred to as a tap-tackle or ankle-tap).
- Ruck
An open scrum occurs when the ball is on the ground, and surrounded by a number of players from both teams.
A ruck is a contest for possession. Once a tackle has grounded a player, he/she must release the ball and try to move out of the way, as must the tackler. The first player(s) arriving from either side may pick up the ball; however as soon as two players, one from each side, bind together — usually by locking shoulders as they face each other — with the ball at their feet they have formed a ruck, as more players arrive they may join the ruck, but must do so from the last foot (also known as the "gate") of their own side. In a ruck no player may use his/her hands to win the ball, instead each side attempts to push the other side back, and players use their feet to hook the ball backwards towards their own side — an action known as "rucking the ball" where it will be picked up by the scrum-half or half-back who waits behind the ruck. Players in a ruck may not deliberately go to ground themselves. If the ball becomes trapped in a ruck, the referee awards a scrum to the side going forward.
Most infringements occur in rucks. Players may seek to slow down the speed of the recycling of the opposition's ball or speed up their own by using their hands illegally, or by lying over the ball, or going to ground deliberately. Such infringements result in penalties. If the attacking team loses possession by legal means, either because of the attacking player dropping the ball or a defending player stealing it, then the ball is said to have been "turned over". After a turn over play carries on without stopping, and the attacker/defender roles of the two teams are switched.
The ruck and the maul are two phases of the game where the offside law is particularly important. Any player not taking part in the ruck and maul must retreat behind the "offside line", a notional line that runs through rearmost foot of a player in the ruck/maul, parallel to the goal lines.
The players in the ruck or joining the ruck must have their feet on the ground, their shoulders must be above the level of their waist and they must be linked together. If the ball is unplayable, the referee shall intervene ordering a set-piece scrum.
- Maul
As with the ruck, this is a situation that occurs in open play and is of the result of an infringement. The maul is formed in the same way as the ruck but the players surround the payer with the ball. At least 3 players are needed for a maul (the player in possession of the ball plus one team-mate and one opponent). The maul ends when the ball goes to ground or the player with the ball gets free of the maul.
If the ball is unplayable or if the maul ceases to move forward, the referee will intervene.
A maul is formed if the ball carrier is held up and one player from each side binds onto him and tries either to rip the ball away or push him forwards. Once a maul has formed other players may join in but, as in a ruck, they must do so from their own side. If the maul stops moving forward, and the ball is not available to be played, then the referee awards a scrum to the side not in possession when the maul began. The tactic of the rolling maul occurs when mauls are set up, and the ball is passed backwards through the players hands to one at the rear, who rolls off the side to change the direction of the drive. This tactic can be extremely effective in gaining ground and takes great skill and technique both to do properly and to try to prevent. It's a tactic most commonly used when the attacking side is inside their opponents' 22. It is illegal, on safety grounds, to pull down a maul, so that players fall to the ground. Referees are aware that many sides will try to stop a maul by deliberately collapsing it and will watch carefully for this illegal tactic.
On the other hand, a maul is not properly formed if the ball carrier binds on to a team-mate from the rear, and both of them then drive into one or more opponents. The player in front is either accidentally or deliberately offside and the referee would award either a scrum or a penalty to the opposing side, depending on whether the infringement was viewed as accidental or deliberate. The tactic is sometimes referred to by players, commentators and referees by the colloquial term "truck and trailer".
Kicking enables a team to find touch, to gain ground or, of course, to score points. It is an essential part of the play. It consists of kicking the ball in the desired direction, though there are several different types of kick:
• The kick ahead may be collected by the kicker to make ground, or any either player behind him/her at the time the ball was kicked.
• The “up and under” (a kick launched high enough to enable the kicker's team-mates to position themselves to jump to collect the ball before they touch the ground).
• The centralising cross-kick (a kind of up and under allowing the ball to be sent back towards the middle of the pitch).
• The drop goal which is kicked on the half volley between the goalposts and over the cross bar. If successful, this kick scores 3 points.
A player may call for the mark when he/she catches the ball on the volley or on behind his/her 22 metre line. The ball must have come directly from an opposing player's kick. The player who catches the ball must call “mark”.
A player is offside:
- When he/she is in front of a team-mate who has the ball or has just played it.
- During a ruck or scrummage, if he/she remains or advances in front of the offside line. Only the number 8 is allowed to detach him/herself from the ruck or scrummage and collect the loose ball.
- If before a line-out is completed, a non participating player advances or remains in front of the offside line.
Unsportsmanlike conduct occurs where an action breaches the rules or spirit of the game. This includes obstruction, unfair action, dangerous play, unsporting behaviour or repeated foul play. These infringements may result in players being sent off, cautioned, or the awarding of penalty tries or penalty kicks.