Playing the Game
Rugby is a game in which the object is to carry the ball over the opponents' goal line and force it to the ground to score. The above description may sound simple--but it there is one catch. In order to go forward, the ball must be passed backwards. The ball can be kicked forwards, but the kicker's teammates must be behind the ball at the moment the ball is kicked. This apparent contradiction creates a need for fine teamwork and great discipline, since little can be achieved by any one individual player. Only by working as a team can players move the ball forward towards their opponents' goal line and eventually go on to win the game.
Rugby has its unique aspects, but like many other sports it is essentially about the creation and use of space. The winners of a game of Rugby will be the team of players who can get themselves and the ball into open space and use that space wisely, while denying the opposing team both possession of the ball and access to space in which to use it.
Rugby has its unique aspects, but like many other sports it is essentially about the creation and use of space. The winners of a game of Rugby will be the team of players who can get themselves and the ball into open space and use that space wisely, while denying the opposing team both possession of the ball and access to space in which to use it.
Match Officials
The Match Officials for our games are rugby referees that are certified by USA Rugby. In Vermont, we get experienced, quality officials whose first priority is player safety. Assisting the referee are two Touch Judges (one on each side of the pitch; they are responsible for raising a flag when the ball or player goes "into touch" ~i.e. out of bounds.) We are happy to train team parents who are willing to participate as Touch Judges. In some matches such as the State Championship, certified Match Officials are utilized as Touch Judges.
Open Play
The term "Open Play" refers to any phase in the match where the ball is being passed or kicked between teammates and both teams are contesting for the ball. In Open Play, the team in possession tries to get the ball to players in space who can make forward progress towards the opposing goal line.
Kick Off
Each half of the match is started with a drop kick from the center of the half way line. The non-kicking team must be 10 meters back from the ball when it is kicked and the kick must travel 10m towards the opposition goal line before hitting the ground.
Rugby gives me the opportunity to go absolutely BEAST on a team and then sit down with them, laugh, eat, and ice the bruises that we caused each other.
~Erin C.
Handling
Passing
A player may pass (throw the ball) to a teammate who is in a better position to continue the attack, but the pass must not travel towards the opposing team's goal line. It must travel either directly across the field, or back in the direction of the passer's own goal line. By carrying the ball forwards and passing backwards, territory is gained. If a forward pass is made, the referee will stop the game and award a scrum (click here) with the put-in going to the team which was not in possession at the time of the pass. In this way, a forward pass is punished by that team losing possession of the ball.
Knock On
When a player mishandles the ball, i.e. drops it or allows it to rebound off a hand or arm, and the ball travels forward, it is known as a knock-on. This is punishable by a scrum to the opposition and therefore a turnover of possession.
A player may pass (throw the ball) to a teammate who is in a better position to continue the attack, but the pass must not travel towards the opposing team's goal line. It must travel either directly across the field, or back in the direction of the passer's own goal line. By carrying the ball forwards and passing backwards, territory is gained. If a forward pass is made, the referee will stop the game and award a scrum (click here) with the put-in going to the team which was not in possession at the time of the pass. In this way, a forward pass is punished by that team losing possession of the ball.
Knock On
When a player mishandles the ball, i.e. drops it or allows it to rebound off a hand or arm, and the ball travels forward, it is known as a knock-on. This is punishable by a scrum to the opposition and therefore a turnover of possession.
The Field of Play
Tackle, Ruck & Maul
As well as being an evasion game which requires creation and use of space, rugby is also a contact sport. In fact, contact situations can be the very mechanism by which players create the space they need to attack. The three most common contact situations which occur in open play are tackle, ruck and maul.
The Tackle
Only the ball carrier can be tackled by the opposing player. A tackle occurs when the ball carrier is held by one or more opponents and is brought to the 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.
The Ruck
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.
The Maul
A maul occurs when the ball carrier is held by one or more opponents and one or more of the ball carrier's teammates holds on (binds) on as well. The ball must be off the ground. The team in possession of the ball can attempt to gain territory by driving their opponents back towards the opponents' goal line. The ball can then be passed backwards between players in the maul and eventually passed to a player who is not in the maul, or a player can leave the maul carrying the ball and run with it.
The Tackle
Only the ball carrier can be tackled by the opposing player. A tackle occurs when the ball carrier is held by one or more opponents and is brought to the 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.
The Ruck
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.
The Maul
A maul occurs when the ball carrier is held by one or more opponents and one or more of the ball carrier's teammates holds on (binds) on as well. The ball must be off the ground. The team in possession of the ball can attempt to gain territory by driving their opponents back towards the opponents' goal line. The ball can then be passed backwards between players in the maul and eventually passed to a player who is not in the maul, or a player can leave the maul carrying the ball and run with it.
