Loading ...Rugby Basics
Rugby Basics
Rugby is very fast, fluid and dynamic game of skill with few stoppages in play. It may seem like a simple game of catching, passing, running and kicking but its not. The scrum, ruck and maul are complex elements of the game requiring added skill and strategy. What happens when the scrum packs down or will the referee blow up a ruck or maul and award a penalty? A lot will depend on the referee’s analysis of the play. The game is played over 80 minutes under the control of a referee and two touch judges.
The players are aligned as forwards or backs, with the forwards having jersey numbers from 1 to 8. The forwards positions are:
1. Loosehead prop
2. Hooker
3. Tighthead prop
4. Left lock (or second row)
5. Right lock (or second row)
6. Blindside flanker
7. Open-side flanker
8. No. 8
The hooker’s responsibility is to throw the ball into the lineout and to strike for the ball in the front row of the scrum between the props. The locks are the tall players (some way over 6 foot 3 inches tall) soar for the line-out ball. They also join the scrum behind the front-row.
The flankers play a scavenger role they go after the breakdown ball while the No. 8 position is a power tackler and runner.
The backs are the fast speedsters of the team who attack the opposition when the forwards provide them with the ball. The numbers for the backs are as follows:
9. Scrum-half
10. Fly-half
11. Left wing
12. Inside-centre
13. Outside-centre
14. Right wing
15. Fullback
The scrum-half is the link between the forwards and the backs. A scrum-half must be a good passer and must have good vision and must instantly decide whether to give the ball to the backs or feed it back into the forwards. The fly-half is the playmaker, having to decide very quickly whether he should pass the ball, run or kick it.
The centres are big individuals with lots of pace and must be very good at being able to beat or break a tackle, change the angle of attack and the keep the backs able to push forward.
Points
5 points is awarded for a try and this is obtained when the ball is grounded over the opposition’s tryline. A successful conversion kick after a try is awarded adds an additional two points. A penalty goal is worth three points, as is a drop-goal being when a player drop-kicks a goal from general play.
