How to play rugby
Know and understand how to play rugby and feel at home in a rugby game. The basics of starting, attacking and defending. Know what is going on, enjoy the game!
Stay flexible - learn quickly
Stay flexible when you learn how to play. The more you are flexible when you move and think, the more you will find it easy to play.
Next thing you know, you`re a good player!
Simply scroll down the page or
Select a topic for information about how to play
Basic play - timing and perception
One last thing... avoidance is best
Where you play rugby
You play on a rugby field and the laws of the game specify every detail about it. Knowing the layout will help you understand the game.
So, start here on how to play rugby with an easy introduction to some rules through an explanation of the field.
Feel confident when you get out there!
To know just how much running you will have to do, how much room you have to move and know how small variations in field size may affect your play look at rugby field dimensions.There will be few times when you need to run the length of the field.
Concentrate on great acceleration and being as fast as you can over 10 to 40 metres - and learn how to sidestep (see elsewhere)!
Return to Select a topicObjective of the game - Tries!
The objective is to win the game.
To win you must score more points than the opposition.
The best and most exciting way to get points is when you score a try.
Be certain you know where and how to ground the ball in the in-goal area, it`s how you score tries.
You also score points when you kick penalties and dropped goals. You are able to do that when you are good at rugby kicking (see menu).
Remember, score more points! - ALWAYS!
When you know the basic rugby rules. it will help you know how to play rugby so you are confident and make things happen.
Return to Select a topicPlayers, positions and skills
You need to know where you fit in.
Rugby is a good game for people of all shapes, sizes, qualities and skills. Look at these details about rugby teams players to see where you fit in.
You may find it useful to find the individual skills and qualities needed for each of the rugby positions you may play.
How to play rugby is very much about individual skills.
There are basic skills you need for every position.
Find out more get a quick feeling for the skills.
Whizz through the skills pages now or make a note to do it soon, so they will be in the back of your mind working away at what you need and how you improve at
- how to hold the ball and hold onto the ball, make sure you carry it well as you move around the field. Prepare for catching and passing - good handling
- how to catch the ball and keep hold of it. The ball will be coming to you at different heights, angles, speeds. It will be spinning, rolling, bouncing, falling - so be confident, be sure you have tip-top catching skills
- how to pass the ball in all sorts of ways for all sorts of reasons. Make sure you make a pass your team-mates can catch, whatever the situation - with good passing
- how to kick the ball to start the game, score points, gain ground, find touch, cause trouble, break defences, score a try - be spot on with your kicking
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how to get away from tacklers, bamboozle and break defences, stand out,
create havoc.
Running rings round the opposition is hard running in straight lines! - you need effective sidesteps
Again, individual skills are the most important part of how to play rugby.
You can learn "rugby moves" or "rugby plays" in next to no time - but what`s the point if you can`t catch the ball every time, or make the catchable pass?
You must put in the time and repetitions to make your skills second nature. Create an enjoyable way to do it.
Return to Select a topicStarting the game - the kick-off
The game is 40 minutes each way, with a short break at half time.
There are a number of options at the kick-off.
Know where the ball may go and why, especially if you may be kicking!
Find out what happens at the kick-off - and why.
Return to Select a topicBasic play - timing and perception
You may find it useful to start with very basic rugby.
When your team has the ball you use team work to move the ball towards and eventually onto or over the opposition goal-line where you ground it and score points for a try!
When your team doesn`t have the ball - GET IT BACK!
When you really know how to play rugby, you know it`s very important being in the right place at the right time.
You are a better player when you arrive at just the right time and just the right place to catch a pass, make a pass, make a tackle or make a break through the opposition line.
You will improve rapidly when you have good timing.
Minds can play tricks when you are under stress, especially on the rugby field.
You`ll find out how to affect other players, how to get them worried, make them hang off tackles or rush in too soon when you understand perception is an important part of how to play rugby.
Return to Select a topicAttack!
When your team has the ball and you know how to play rugby you want to score tries.
Know as much as possible about how you control the ball.
When you have the ball, treasure it.
Tips on how to move forward and beat opponents - start an attack.
When you attack it`s important you know how to avoid tackles. If you do, you just may create "something from nothing"
Return to Select a topicDefence!
When they have the ball they can score. You must stop them!
That`s not all - you must get the ball back.
Tips on how to have a strong defence, avoid weak points, deal with difficult situations. Find out how you produce solid defence!
Return to Select a topicSupport play
You will enjoy yourself finding out how to play rugby when you look into when and how you provide quality support.
Support play is about what you do when you don't have the ball and how you can help your ball carrier.
When you provide excellent support you stay alert, you are a key player in the game.
You make it much more likely you will make good decisions when you carry the ball forward.
Learn about support play so you know what you can and cannot do when play breaks down, for example when a tackle has taken place.
When the flow of the game breaks down and you are allowed to enter contests for the ball you need to know what to do. One example is when rucks form.
Make sure you know how you get involved, what to do and why when the ball is on the ground and you`re struggling to get control of it - the rucking situation.
And when the ball is not on the ground? It may be in the middle of a heaving mass of players - the maul.
Here`s what you do when you get involved in mauling.
At the lineout set piece
Another major aspect of how to play rugby is the set piece. Lineouts and scrums are set pieces, used to restart play.
When the ball "goes into touch" play stops.
Forwards from the two teams compete in a mini contest for the ball involving communication between players, timing, power for the jumping players, strength for lifting players and a great co-ordinated effort.
Find out where and how the lineout takes place.
At the scrum set piece
When rules are broken in a minor way and no penalty is awarded, play is restarted with different kind of mini contest. This involves technique, weight, strength, cordination and cooperation.
Get more information about the scrum.
Return to Select a topicAdditional information
When you are starting out in something new it`s useful to gather information from a number of different sources.
To help you find out more I`ve included a few tips on how to find out more about rugby and have given details of some places to look.
It`s just a bit of help on how to gather information about rugby.
Return to Select a topicSummary of how to play rugby
Continually focus on controlling the ball and scoring points.
Play is continous unless the ball goes out of play or a player breaks the rules.
Even then (if a player breaks the rules) play may continue if it is to the advantage of the other team.
Focus on fitness and good individual skills (see skills section), including the most important of all - sidestepping
Your skills will become instinctive and you will be able to deal with any situation - with superb skills, without even thinking about it!
Do it alone if necessary or with a few friends. Hone your skills! Do this and you`ll always find a game.
Remember, be a good sport - without the opposition there wouldn't be a game!
Above all, enjoy yourself - that`s how to play rugby!
Return to Select a topicOne last thing... avoidance is best
- avoid foul play - know the rules and stick to the rules!
- avoid tackles - know EvtecHs and stick to EvtecHs!
Tackles are a major part of rugby. When you are able to avoid them you have a fantastic advantage.
Just so you know what you can do with sidesteps, watch this short video. It`s a vital part of how to play rugby.
Have a chuckle as you become aware of how you use a sidestep and find you can avoid tackles. <<<-- CLICK HERE!!
Then find the best way is to do it with EvtecHs.
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