Rugby: History, Rules, Techniques, and Tactics Explained
Rugby: A Comprehensive Overview
History of Rugby
Rugby emerged in Great Britain in the early 19th century. In 1823, at the Rugby School, a group of students were practicing football. William Webb Ellis, tired of the game, grabbed the ball and ran towards the opponent’s goal. His opponents stopped him by tackling him.
In 1871, the first organized association responsible for the sport was created: the Rugby Football Union.
Basic Rules of Rugby
Goal
The goal is to carry the ball to the try area and ground it.
Playground
The playing field is a grass field 100m long and 70m wide.
The Ball
The ball should be oval and weigh 400g.
Goalposts
The goalposts have two poles with a minimum length of 3.4m, placed vertically on the try lines at a distance of 5.6m, joined by a crossbar situated at a height of 3m.
Players
Each team consists of 15 players.
Gameplay
A match begins with a kick-off. After that, any player can catch the ball and run with it, pass the ball to another player, kick the ball, tackle an opponent carrying the ball, fall on the ball, score a try in the try area, or kick to gain territory.
Special Plays
The Scrum
This consists of the forwards from both teams grouped together, allowing the ball to be released on the floor between them. It serves to put the ball in play after certain offenses.
Ruck (or Spontaneous Melee)
This is formed when the ball is on the ground and one or more players from each team, standing and in physical contact, are grouped around the ball.
The Maul
This is formed when one or more players from each team, walking and in physical contact, are grouped around a player in possession of the ball. It ends when the ball falls to the ground.
The Lineout (Touche)
This serves to restart play when the ball has gone out of bounds. Seven players from each team are placed in a row facing each other in a corridor.
Scoring
Points can be scored by a try or a goal.
Match Duration
A match is split into two halves of 40 minutes with a 5-minute break.
Principal Offenses
Knock-on
This occurs when the ball is projected forward towards the opponent’s try line.
Forward Pass
This occurs when a player throws or passes the ball towards the opponent’s try line.
Offside
Being in front of the ball, when not part of a scrum, ruck, or maul, or being ahead of the last foot in the grouping. When not part of the lineout, being less than 10m from it.
Techniques
Passing and Receiving
Involves a torsion of the trunk, independent leg movement, releasing the ball while stopping the arm movement when extended towards the receiver, staying active after the pass, and imparting a twisting motion to the ball.
The Kick
Seeks to send the ball to an open area to regain possession.
The Tackle
This is to take down the offensive player with the ball to prevent further progress towards the try line.
Tactics
Open Play
Uses a spread-out defense, exploiting lateral space by passing the ball.
Grouped Play
Used against a deep defense. Players advance by exploiting gaps between defenders.
Kicking Game
Used against a pressing first line of defense, looking to kick the ball into open space behind the defensive line.
Basketball and Rugby
Basketball players have a very specific body type. The height of the basket favors taller players. In rugby, there are different types depending on the position. Big, strong players play forward, skilled players play scrum-half or fly-half, and quick players play as three-quarters.