Rugby Facts

Rugby Facts

The field at Rugby School where, according to legend, the game was invented

Rugby has the speed of basketball, the contact of football and the strategy of chess. It is played by two teams of fifteen players with six substitutes controlled by a referee and two touch judges. It is played in two 40 minute halves on a grass pitch (field). Each half starts with a kickoff, where the ball is placed in the middle of the pitch and one team kicks to the other. The clock never stops, but any time taken for injury is added on to the half in which it occurs.  The object is to score more points than the other team by carrying, passing, and kicking the ball. A rugby ball is similar to a football, but is bigger and has rounder edges. 

Legend has it that in 1823, during a game of school football in the town of Rugby, England, a young man named  William Webb Ellis picked up the ball and ran towards the opposition’s goal line. Two centuries later  Rugby Football has evolved into one of the world’s most popular sports, with millions of people playing, watching and enjoying the Game.

Rugby was initially played with a round ball. The oval ball was adopted in 1851.

Basketball was invented by a rugby coach in 1891 - Dr. James Naismith was looking for an indoor activity to provide winter conditioning for his rugby players.

Rugby was an Olympic sport in 1900, 1908, 1920, and 1924. The US won the Gold Medal in
1920 and 1924.

Famous rugby players (just to name a few):  Sean Connery, John F. Kennedy, J.R.R. Tolkien, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, Russell Crowe, Chris Farley, Meat Loaf, Ernesto “Che” Guevara.

Players require strength, speed, agility, ball handling/kicking skills, and mental skills. Some playing positions require specific skills (e.g. jumping, precision, kicking).

Carrying, passing, kicking and grounding the ball over the opposing team’s try-line are the game’s attacking features. Tackling is the main defensive feature.

A game involves two opposing teams, of either 15 players (8 forwards and 7 backs) plus reserves of Sevens (7 a side) and Tens (10 a side). Carrying, passing, kicking and grounding the ball over the opposing
team’s try-line are the game’s attacking features. Tackling is the main defensive feature.

A standard warm-up (15-30min) should consist of aerobic activity, stretching and skills practice immediately before a game. Tackling should be the focus of the regular skills training and be progressively introduced to players.

Mouthguards should be worn at all times during games and practices in which impacts to the teeth and jaw are possible. Players should recognise that injuries to either themselves or other players can still occur with the use of protective equipment. The use of headgear does not eliminate the risk of concussion, but does reduce the rate of lacerations (cuts)

The Tackle

Only the ball carrier can be tackled by an opposing player . A tackle occurs when the ball carrier is held by one or more opponents and is brought to ground, i.e. has one or both knees on the ground, is sitting on the ground or is on top of another player who is on the ground. To maintain the continuity of the game, the ball carrier must release the ball immediately after the tackle, the tackler must release the ball carrier and both players must roll away from the ball. This allows other players to come in and contest for the ball, thereby starting a new phase of play.

A ruck is formed if the ball is on the ground and one or more players from each team who are on their feet close around it. Players must not handle the ball in the ruck, and must use their feet to move the ball or drive over it so that it emerges at the team’s hindmost foot, at which point it can be picked up.

A maul occurs when the ball carrier is held by one or more opponents and one or more of the ball carrier’s team mates holds on (binds) on as well. The ball must be off the ground.

The Scrum

The scrum is a means of restarting play after a stoppage which has been caused by a minor infringement of the Laws (for example, a forward pass or knock on) or the ball becoming unplayable in a ruck or maul. The scrum serves to concentrate all the forwards and the scrum halves in one place on the field, providing the opportunity for the backs to mount an attack using the space created elsewhere.

Rugby is a highly physical Game. To enjoy it to its utmost you need to be physically and mentally prepared. You also need to understand how to play safely.