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Rugby positions
A guide to rugby positions. Use this, see where you will fit in,
enjoy yourself, feel good and play well. Backs or forwards? Wing or
prop? Which is best for you.
Positions
based on the scrumThis is what it's all about,
where
you fit in. This diagram shows all
the positions in a rugby team based
on
the scrum.
 Rugby
positions based on the scrum
Go
to "Basics", then "Next"
or just select topics
Basics
Positions
Forwards, general
Front row
Second row
Back row
Backs, general
Half-backs
Three-quarters and full-back
Rugby
positions basics
Positions need different
sizes and shapes
of player
and different skills,
qualities and temperaments
The
higher the level you want to play, the
more important this becomes.
It's a good idea to start at rugby
positions basics
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Positions
in the team
Each rugby team has 15
players on the
rugby field at any one time. Each player has an allocated
position.
Knowing
the position
you have been allocated
helps you
understand
and remember
what you need to
do during the game
and where you need to be
on the pitch.
The individual positions
in a rugby team
are in two major
groups
the "forwards"
and the "backs".
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Rugby
forwards
positions
There
are 8 forwards
in a team.
They tend to be the bigger,
stronger, heavier
players in the team. They`re also known
collectively as "the
pack".
These are the players who use
size and strength to get the
ball and move it towards the opposition goal-line.
The term "pack" is
descriptive.
There are set piece contests
for
possession of the ball called
"scrums" Forwards
from both
teams
pack together using their bulk, strength
and ability to
work together to get the
ball.
Forwards tend to stay
together in attack, using
their size, weight and strength,
moving around the field, working together
they move the ball towards
the opposition goal-line.
During the the course of a
game it is often clear which team has
possesion of the ball. You can see it being passed from hand
to hand as players run with the ball.
At
other times it becomes unclear which team has possession. Informal
struggles for the ball take place. It's usually and mainly the
forwards who struggle to gain possession.
When
the ball is on the ground it's called rucking. When the ball is
off the ground it's called mauling
The rugby positions of "forwards" also work
together in defence
to stop
the opposition from moving the ball
towards your
goal-line.
There are groups within
the pack
named
in relation to the positions they take up in a scrum.
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Front
row 
The front row
forwards group
are the prop and hooker positions The
two props are
highly specialised positions. You require size, strength and
technique. In the line-out you throw the locks into the air to
contest for possession.
Find out more about
the
rugby prop
always
two of them
always Loose
head prop on the Left
and
always Tight head prop on
the Right.
The hooker
usually throws the ball into
the line-out and is always in the front
row in a scrum
where the hooker
must strike for the ball
with his or her leg.
For
more detail visit the page
about the rugby hooker
always in the centre of the front row
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Second row
 The
second row group
contains these positions
the rugby
lock
and the rugby lock - yes there are two of
them!
The locks tend to be strong and tall. In
the scrum you provide stability
and go forward power to push the
opposition off the ball.
In line-outs you are
the
tall timber. You are thrown into the air at the
right moment to receive the ball
thrown by the hooker or contest for
possession when
the opposition throws in. Find out if you are
suited for
rugby
lock
They
are called lock forwards
Players in the front row
rugby
positions
and the second
row positions are collectively
called the "tight
five"
because
they are
all bound
tightly
to each other.
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Back
row 
The back row group contains
flankers and the number eight position.
In
these positions you are at the back of the scrum
and the back of the line-out.
When your
side wins the ball you break quickly. You're
involved in moves, you carry
the ball forward or run in support
of others.
When
the opposition wins possession your break
quickly,
break up attacks
and regain possession.
Find
out more on theses pages... rugby
flanker
(two of
them, usually
positioned as
blind-side flanker and open-side flanker)
rugby
number eight
Players
in the back row
rugby positions
are also called
"loose
forwards"
as
they are bound loosely
to
the other forwards.
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Rugby
backs positions
There
are 7 backs
in the rugby positions in a team.
The backs
provide more
of
the speed,
agility and
evasiveness
required in many cases to
score tries.
They
tend to be smaller,
faster, more elusive
players.
This is only a guide! Many
are large and fast!
and
many are not elusive!
This
is good for
you.
Be
elusive
it gets
you in the team
and
it`s a great
advantage for
your side. Others think
you`re a good
back
when
you have
good
individual skills in running,
passing, catching, kicking and tackling.
Backs move the
ball
to search out or create weaknesses in
defence.
When
you find weakness,
you still need to
get
the ball through the opposition, so
use your speed
and evasion
skills.
There
are groups
within the backs
named in relation to, I`m
not sure what!!!
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Half-backs
 The
half-backs group
contains these positions
scrum-half and fly-half. When you are
the scrum half
you put the ball into the
scrum
when the ball
comes out
you get it to
the fly-half quickly.
You
may also be involved in moves with the
back row or sometimes make breaks
yourself to keep the opposition on their
toes.
Here is more about
the
rugby
scrum-half
As
fly-half you are usually responsible for calling the shots. Most
teams will have some set plays. You have to decide which are
used and when.
Find out more
about the rugby
fly-half
(or
any of a dozen other names!!!)
making the big decisions.
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Three-quarters and fullback

The
three-quarters group
contains the positions centre
(2), wing (2) and full-back.
For these positions
you
need speed, agility and tactical sense.
As a centre
you will
generally follow the lead of the fly-half,
taking part in tactical moves
designed to break
through opposition defence.
You will
also be expected to use your skills to
take advantage of lapses in defence by
catching the ball at speed and carrying it forward.
You
will be
expected to run straight
and be able to catch and pass well
under pressure You will find
out more on the page the rugby
centre
three-quarters
(two
of them, usually
positioned as inside and
outside) As a wing you will be
fast and elusive. You will also need "Good hands" - the
ability to catch well. You will be receiving the ball
while traveling at speed
and often passed by a player under
pressure.
You will find out more
on the page the rugby
wing three-quarters
(two
of them, usually positioned as left
and right) And
that leaves one
position
there`s no group for this one, the
full-back.
As a full
back you will develop a
great ability to read the game.
Although you are
usually the last line of defence
you have a real role to play in attack.
Speed
will enable you to join in attack
with the three-quarters,
bursting through in support
as the set play or unfolding play requires.
You'll
find out more
on the page about the
rugby
full-back
So,
that`s
it for rugby positions
work
out
the best position for you so you can
play good
rugby then find and
help
others
be a
team, above
all remember,
have
fun!!.
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