History of rugby sidesteps

The history of rugby sidesteps does not clearly indicate the origin of the skill and the way it developed is shrouded in mystery.

Early sidesteps

The earliest reference I've seen to rugby sidesteps mentions the year 1930. Documentary evidence suggests they were already part of the game at that time.

Mention of players like Bleddyn Williams and Peter Jackson using sidesteps comes later. These early sidesteps and rugby pioneers give some clues about the origin of the sidestep.

Sidesteps boom

The sidesteps boom came in the 1960's, 1970's and 1980's.

The boom was mainly driven by Welsh rugby players but also included a scattering of players from other nations.

Want to know more and sidestep well?

Chase down video of these players and find out what lesson there is to learn from the period when sidesteps boom.

Sidestep passes... does it?

As coaching took hold of the rugby world, more and more effort was placed on creating solid defence. Fewer sidesteps are seen.

Are the two linked?

It became so bad that an article in the The Independent newspaper, in November 1999 claimed " The sidestep passes into history..."

So, the sidestep passes into history, does it?

........Over my dead...... leg - don't want to go too far now, do we! I've been pretty close a couple of times already!

Sidesteps hang on!

The good news is that the sidestep is avoiding extinction!

I'm so HAPPY!

There is interest from around the world. This site caters for people new to rugby as well as for those who already know about the sidestep.

That's great - you'll learn the sidestep with all the other basic skills.

There can be nothing more basic in a game like rugby... ...than learning how to get past an opponent.

Until now, it's been neglected!

What we need is a sidestep-academy.... now there's a thought!