A rugby centre needs good handling and running skills to carry out the team plans. Ready for anything. What to expect if you make this your position.
15 players are on the field at any one time.
8 forwards make up the scrum or line-out.
The forwards in the scrum, line-out or break down situation get the ball for the team.
It then goes to the scrum-half and the fly-half decision makers. Then possibly out to the centres.
Assuming the scrum is towards the left touchline, the centres fit into the player positioning on the field like this...
Rugby centre position in relation to the scrum
Rugby centre position in relation to the scrum
If the scrum was towards the right side of the field the backs would line out the opposite way to this image.
If the scrum was near the centre of the field the team may choose to have one centre either side of the scrum.
The way the backs line up tends to be dictated by the side putting the ball into the scrum (or the lineout).
It is usually the "putting-in" side which will get the ball so the other side attempts to be prepared to defend by matching their line-up.
Centre physiques vary. Of the backs they tend to be the bigger, stockier players - but they really can be anything.
The two centres in a team tend to specialise
The inside centre (called 2nd five-eighth in New Zealand) sometimes plays a similar role to that of the fly-half (sharing the load).
You run at the opposition, making breaks if possible or pass the ball quickly to faster outside players if warranted.
The stronger you are in these areas the better
also
After minor breaches of the rules, play restarts with a scrum.
The non-offending team gets a small advantage in this formal mini contest for possession of the ball.
If your forwards win the ball it goes to the half-backs who make decisions about the ball - where it goes.
The decisions they make greatly affect how the centres are involved in the game.
Sometimes half-backs kick for field position or into space
and sometimes they pass to attack by moving the ball to faster outside backs. That is where you as a centre come in
or the half-backs run to get across the advantage line
so you position yourself in support in such a way as to give them options about how to continue.
If you are a rugby centre and defending
When the ball "goes into touch" play restarts with a line-out.
The duties of the centre at line-out time are similar to scrum time.
You communicate with the half-backs so you know and don`t just wonder what is going to happen.
Then, assuming you practice sufficiently and well you will be able to succeed with the plan and deal well with anything else that happens.
Centres tend to be elusive, skillful, hard tackling, tactically aware players.
When you are at centre what you do depends on actions taken by the half-backs.
Depending on circumstance you must be ready for any of the following
As a rugby centre you have plenty of opportunity to vary the options you take for passing, kicking and running.
By mixing up the options you take you create uncertainty in the opposition defence which makes it easier to succeed with planned moves.
And remember, do enough good practice so you`ll be the best sidestepper you can be!
To get more idea of the size and build of centres in relation to other positions look at details of elite players on our page player sizes.
Some famous players at centre, no special order!
Jason Little
New! Comments
Like it? Questions? We`d love to know! Share it, comment below!!