Life Without Rugby

 

What would life be like without Rugby? Gosh, that is a question I can’t even think to answer. But let’s take a look at it anyways.

So, most of Rugby players internationally are paid athletes. These athletes lay their bodies and lives on the line every week in order to satisfy not only their desire to compete, but their entire fan base’s desire as well. Rugby is a global sport, played on every continent except Antarctica (that we know of anyway). So what would all of these players be doing if the game was not around anymore?

Well, in my opinion, most players would resort to Cricket, American Football, fútbol (Soccer in America), and Basketball. All of these sports are less contact, which if you are a ruggger, is not as fun of course! Fútbol is the next largest sport for everyone that does not play rugby. As we know, Rugby is a mixture of American Football and Fútbol. Most players are great with their foot (In reference to kicking).

If you’re a Rugby player and Rugby wasn’t around, what sport would you play? Comment below!

Rugby in the Olympics: Favorite?

Rugby is an Olympic sport! We are only 479 days away from the 2016 Summer Olympic Games in Rio, Brazil.

Now that Rugby 7’s is an Olympic sport, is there already a clear cut favorite? Lets take a look:

So far in the world standings we have –

 

 

As you can see, it is a close race to be the number one team in the world. But do teams that are out of the top 10 have a chance to do well in Rio? You can access the full list of world standings courtesy of http://www.worldrugby.org/sevens-series/standings to find out everything else you need!

Forward or Back: Which one are you?

Tough Question right? Which group of positions are you? A Back or a Forward? Here are some ways to help.

When you show up to practice for the first time, the first question the Coach may ask you is: Are you a forward or back?

You may think to yourself: “Can I run fast?” “Am I in shape?” “Do I love to hit people” “Do I have good hands for catching and passing the ball?” Even though you are on the same team as 14 other players, your position on the field matters. It can be difficult choosing whether to be a forward or back.

Forwards are involved in a lot of the rucking done on the pitch. They are involved in all of the scrum downs and line outs. They are the support of your team. Without good forwards, your team will have a very hard time keeping possession of the ball. They give the backs a break when they run the ball, and are always the ones getting yelled at despite being the defensive leaders out on the field.

Backs are involved in a lot of the scoring on the pitch. They are definitely the more skilled members of the team, as they are typically the ones kicking and passing the ball. They create overloads in the opposing backlines that lead to Try’s for their respective teams. Backs are involved in rucks, but these are typically not supportive rucks. These are rucks out in the open field with little support from the forwards. Backs are not involved in the scrum downs or line outs. Backs are responsible for having good tackling skills as there is really no line of defense behind them, except for the fullback. Backs must be smart players out on the field to see gaps and overloads in the opposition. They are also responsible for kicking and bailing their team out in case of danger.

Now that you’ve read a short tid bit of what each position does, I will ask the question. Which one are you? or Which do you prefer? Comment right below the article in the comments section and let’s see what everyone has to say!

Kick it to the limit: Kicking in Rugby

Kicking in rugby is a big part of the game. Games can be won on the foot of a player. Whether it is kicks for touch, grubbers, box kicks, kicking for points, or drop goals it is essential that everyone that plays rugby learns how to kick!

Kicking for touch– Kicking for touch occurs when there is a penalty called. The team that has possession of the ball may tap the ball off the foot and run forward or may kick the ball out of bounds for touch. When the ball is kicked out of bounds, the touch judge will mark the spot and a line-out will occur. The advantage of kicking for touch is that you can advance the ball up the field a long distance in a very short amount of time, and you also get to throw the ball in. Your penalty-your kick-your throw in.

Grubbers– A Grubber kick is a type of kick that makes the ball roll forward close to the ground but will still bounce up at the right time, if done correctly. A grubber is typically used by the fly half or other backs in order to gain position on a defensive line that is flat or that has gaps in it. Players can also kick a grubber when in a one on one situation because you cannot tackle or interfere with a player that does not have the ball. A grubber can be the most effective kick when done correctly because you can be much more accurate with this kick, and also has the best potential outcomes.

Box Kicks– A box kick is a kick that is done by a player, normally the scrum half, to quickly clear the ball out a certain area. This is a quick, grab the ball and immediately kick the ball. However, it is a kick that is done typically on the side of the body. It is not a ‘normal face the direction you are kicking.’ It is a perpendicular kicking action. But you must remember that the person who kicks the ball must chase the ball in order to put everyone onside.

Kicking for points– This type of kick is only done at a stoppage of play, or a penalty. If you are near the other teams try zone and need points you can elect to kick for points on a penalty. You must indicate to the ref that it is what you are doing and he or she will allow you set up the ball. It is 3 points should you make it through the uprights. However, it is still a live ball if you miss and the opposing team is allowed to run the ball back and continue play.

Drop Goals– A drop goal is a kick that happens during regular play that is dropped from the player, to the ground, and then kicked through the uprights. These kicks are very rare due to the fast paced speed of the game and the constant distraction. These kicks are typically done by the fly half in hopes to gain 3 points.

Rugby player signs with NFL team

Former rugby player Jarryd Hayne signed a contract with the San Francisco 49ers, a member of the NFC West Conference of the NFL.

The former International player of the year in 2009 announced his deal with the 49ers at a press conference in Sydney, Australia on Tuesday afternoon. The 27 year old’s dream of playing in the NFL has now become a reality.

Hayne made his debut for the NRL (http://www.nrl.com/) team Parramatta Eels in 2006. The Eels granted Hayne a conditional release in October. The 6’2” 220lb centre also played for the Fiji World Cup team in 2008. He will be part of the 49ers 90-man off-season roster with the goal of making the cut to the final 53-man roster for the start of the season.

Being a rugby player and lacking the extreme skill set that NFL players possess, Hayne will most likely take aim at a special teams player, either receiving kick offs or punts. He could also join the defensive side of the ball as a safety or cornerback. This is also supported by his unofficial 40-yard dash time of 4.53. To put in perspective, Melvin Gordon, a sought after Running Back from Wisconsin, ran a 4.52 and 4.53 unofficially at the NFL combine last month.

Per ESPN, Hayne explained that there would roughly $100,000 in guaranteed money with San Francisco, but declined to comment on his other two finalists: the Detroit Lions, or Superbowl runner-up Seattle Seahawks.

This spark from the 49ers comes off a poor season missing the playoffs and firing of head coach Jim Harbaugh.

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nfl-shutdown-corner/can-the-49ers–new-australian-rugby-star-make-an-impact-in-nfl–143131975.html
(Video courtesy of Yahoo.com)

Rugby Referees: The Sir or Ma’am

 

Rugby is a game for hooligans played by gentlemen.

Rugby referees have one of the tougher referee jobs in the world. They must navigate the entire length of the field, try zone to try zone, and sideline to sideline. They are the only referee on the pitch. This means, whatever they say goes. They have the power to hand out a yellow card (player penalized is sent to the opponents try zone or ‘sin bin’ for a period of 10 minutes time, but is allowed to come back in the game following the penalty time out) or a red card (player ejected from the match. The red carded player cannot return for the duration of the game and could possibly be suspended for games in the future. Aside from the punishment duties, the referee will initiate scrum downs, place the mark for each kick (kick for touch, post try kicks, or penalty kicks). The referee will stand on the side of rucks in order to indicate off sides. As mentioned earlier, there is only one referee so some players will try and take advantage of that and commit penalties and cheap shots. As much as rugby is a respectful game, it is also a self policed game.

 

There is a somewhat code of conduct toward the referee. You (should) always address the referee as “Sir” or “Ref”. This is a sign of respect you show as a player. There is a captain on each team, and should be the only one that talks to the Sir. This is NOT soccer, where someone fakes an injury and then the entire team swarms the referee like a bunch of 13 year old teenagers. This is RUGBY.

 

Rugby in the next Olympics?

Skeptics aside, Rugby should be in the next summer Olympics, held in Rio in 2016. Here is a great article that pushes for more support of Rugby in Rio. Click the Link below to read more:

http://elitedaily.com/sports/7-reasons-rugby-sevens-will-next-big-sport-played-america/938356/

The pitch

 

 

The “Pitch” is the official name given to the rugby field. It is very different than a football field or soccer field. The goal posts are located in the front of the Try Zone. There is a midfield line used for the start of a kickoff, or after a score. The 10 meter line is the line used to dictate how far the ball must travel before the kicking team may touch it. The white dotted lines on the side are for Line Outs. The front jumper must stand at least 5 meters away from the sideline. The 22 meter line is used for possession. The team with the ball must drop kick (drop the ball to the ground before kicking it) from this line in order to gain possession.

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Positions: 1-15

Each number coordinates to each position on the Rugby pitch, or field.

1-8 are positions associated with the Forward positions.
9-15 are positions associated with the Back positions.

1- Prop
2- Hooker
3- Prop
4- Second Row
5- Second Row
6- Flanker
7- Flanker
8- Eight man
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9- Scrum Half
10- Fly Half
11- Wing
12- Inside Center
13- Outside Center
14- Wing
15- Fullback

 

CLICK HERE for Positions: Glossary Page