Exciting rugby - sidestep!

Exciting rugby - sidestep! Know the game and sidestep so you are confident on the field, create options for your side, chaos for the opposition.

Rugby sidestep action

Play the game and you enjoy yourself.

Sidestep and you really enjoy yourself.

Why? Because you have more options!

You do things others believe impossible.

You have options opponents don`t even know exist. You create chaos!

Legendary player Gareth Edwards had this to say about being beaten by his friend, sidestepping legend Gerald Davies.

He could change direction by almost ninety degrees I knew that, but at ninety miles an hour! No one told me that

Gareth An autobiography, Gareth Edwards, 1978

Sidestep video - see what you can do

This video is a light-hearted introduction. However, the skills involved are deadly serious. Players who know how to play, with these skills, are game-breakers. The video includes a number of different examples.

You beat and baffle opponents!

You already know and want to know more?

Go to rugby sidesteps for real details.

Otherwise...

go and follow...

these...

See yourself
get out of trouble by a route thought impossible
attack through a gap thought not available
create space or gaps by manipulating opponents
create chaos.

Invaluable and exhilerating for you
Devastating and demoralising for your opposition
Inspiring and encouraging for your team
Entertaining and exciting for anyone watching

Sidestep opposition in a flash!
It`s how many famous players become famous!

Phil Bennett - brilliant, famous sidesteps

Phil Bennett features in many video clips. Watch Phil, a true great, as he uses a couple of variations of the sidestep.

This is one of the best rugby clips around, showing one of the great tries. Many judge it to be the Greatest Try Ever in the history of the game.

As a player there is nothing more exhilarating. Imagine you are Phil Bennett (just like the rest of us!)

As a spectator there`s nothing more exciting. Listen to the crowd and Cliff Morgan the commentator ("Brilliant. Oh, that's brilliant!").

Cliff is a Legend. He knows what he`s talking about!

Go to the Phil Bennett classic sidestep in Barbarians v All Blacks 1973

Sidestep FAQ - which rules, positions?

- What`s a sidestep? You cleverly beat other players
- Why do they say sidesteps are exciting? Because it`s true!
- What do they look like? Fantastic! See video clips on this site.

- Done in a flash, but talked about for years? It`s true!
- What rules relate to a sidestep? Just the basic rules.
- Where can you do a sidestep? Anywhere! Not just on the field.

More quick questions
- Which players do them? Players in any of the rugby positions can.
- Me, produce something from nothing with a sidestep? Absolutely!
- I`m new, help? Learn the basic rules then the sidestep!

- What do I need? Strong legs, strong ankles, believe it`s possible.
- Where can I see a sidestep? Look for good rugby videos.
- Can I get a sidestep? Yes! You can do it on this site.

And some more!
- More than one sidestep? Sort of, there are a few variations.
- Could I be a sidestep sensation? You`ve got to believe it, practice!
- Is it easy to do a sidestep? It`s easier than many think it is.

- Still talking about sidesteps 30 years later? True! See rugby clips.
- Have fun with sidesteps? Certainly! For the rest of your life!
- Am I young enough/old enough to learn? Probably, if you think so!

Good sidesteppers - how to play rugby well

I still run through the streets doing sidesteps, I wait till it`s dark. I don`t want locking up do I! But of course, it`s not the same.

Rugby is the real home of the sidestep. Learn now.

When you are skillful and confident in many aspects of the game you will be ready and able to use your sidestepping skills to win games.

Besides knowing the ball, the pitch and the basic rules, know how to play.

Know the positions, master the skills

Know all the rugby positions. Then you`ll know what to expect from other players and know how they will expect you to play.

You`ll also know what to do when you suddenly find yourself playing another position on the field because the player has been tackled and is under a pile of other players.

Find the position(s) most suitable for your likes and dislikes, physique and temperament. Be prepared to play in different positions in the team. That`s the way you improve and you end up with all the skills.

Remember you change over time, physically and in other ways.

Set goals. See, hear, feel what you want to happen. Write it down.

Be flexible, adjust your goals if necessary. Almost anything is possible

Master the skills. To make the most of your sidestepping ability practice enough to make sure you are good at...

• handling - you easily pick up and keep hold of the ball
• passing - you pass the ball well, even in unusual situations

• catching - you catch the ball well, even in difficult conditions
• kicking - you kick well to support or to get out of tricky situations

Be inspired, get stepping

I was 19, had played rugby 7 years but had never seen or heard of a sidestep.

Like me, be inspired by David Watkins. When I saw him do something magical playing for Salford I experimented, practiced and played a great deal and ended up being able to do some clever things myself.

You can learn to sidestep anytime even if new to the game. You can take it all in at the same time. It`s just another skill!

Practice one thing, When you`ve done enough or get bored, go on to the next thing and practice that.

Get sidestepping as soon as possible. The younger you learn, the longer you`ve got to love it!.

Evading opponents is a basic skill. Not everybody sees it this way - so you already have an advantage

Just like other skills...

...sidestepping is straight forward if you follow me.