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Rugby PlayersKnow and understand more
about rugby players and where you fit in when you play rugby.
The
teamRugby players come in all shapes and sizes
and there is a position in a rugby team for everyone.
A
team is 15 players
plus substitutes/replacements and two
teams are needed for
a game.
The team can be split roughly
into two groups
- the "forwards"
and the "backs".
ForwardsThere
are 8 forwards
in a team and they tend to be the bigger
players. They`re also known collectively as "the pack".
A
range of work
is done by the forwards as a whole, so many different physical
attributes, skills and qualities are needed within the
group.
Forwards in
scrumsBulk,
strength and scrummaging skills
are needed to give stability and power in the struggle for the ball.
This is the main function of
the 3 members of the "front row", assisted by the
2 in the "second row"
and the single player who is in the third row but called the "number 8" (the
number on the shirt).
This group of rugby
players (minus the number 8) is called the "tight five"
because they are the
five players in the scrum bound tightly together.
Two additional
players (called flankers)
bind to the side of the scrum. They give
additional weight and power for pushing the opposition
off the ball. They must
also be strong, fast and determined because they must
break rapidly from the scrum to
win back the ball if it goes to the opposition.
Forwards
in lineoutsHeight
, strength, coordination and athletic ability are required
by the rugby players who are jumpers
in the lineouts. They jump and are thrown into the air to catch or deflect the ball
thrown from the touch-line.
The jumpers will usually
be the two players who fill the second
row in the scrum.
The "hooker" (the middle
player of the front row) usually throws
the ball, so must be capable of mastering that part of the game.
Strength and bulk
are required to throw
the jumpers into the air and to prevent opposition
forwards breaking through the lineout. This supporting role is done by the players who are the
front row of the scrum (minus the hooker who is throwing
in the ball or marking the opposition thrower).
Flankers or the number 8
sometimes provide an alternative
target for the thrower.
Forwards
in general playIn general play the forwards combine loosely, marauding as a co-operative pack.
They need strength, bulk and mobility to combine when necessary to support each other
and to spread out and protect ground when that`s required.
In attack they use
their strength and power
to drive the ball forward, attempting to break through the
opposition or at least engage
and tire as much of the opposition as possible before
releasing the ball to the backs.
In defence they must
tackle relentlessly
to prevent the opposition from breaking through, while attempting to
regain possession.
BacksThere
are 7 backs
in a team of rugby players. They tend
to be smaller than the forwards, but it`s sometimes hard
to tell without looking at the numbers!
The backs provide more
of the speed, agility
and evasiveness required in many cases to score tries.
The
backs require good
individual skills in running,
passing, catching, kicking and tackling. Ball movement is
used by the backs to search out weaknesses in defence. When a weakness is found, a
player is still required to get
the ball through the opposition using either speed or
guile.
A subgroup
is the half-backs,
made up of the scrum half and the fly half (also called the five-eighth
or outside half). These players have vital roles and require good
skills and great confidence.
The scrum-half is the link between the forwards
and the rest of the backs.
The fly-half is the play
maker of the team, deciding on and arranging both attack
and defence
So there you are, a quick view of rugby
players.
Where
do you want to play?
Return
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Rugby Players to How to Play Rugby
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