An Explanation of Rugby

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Can someone out there give a good description of the game, how it is played, general strategies, etc?
I am interested because I'd like to attend some college matches sometime, plus I just bought the game for PS2. My friend and I put it in, and just looked at in once the game started in utter confusion.

 

Thanks to Tassadar, better than I could of explained it.

As to stratagies, hmmm I'm probably not the best person to explain this but I'll give it a go.

As far as I can see there is no stratagies. I have been told countless times there are but the only thing I can usually see is them running down the middle, trying to get as far as possible before being tackled. Although resently the All Blacks have been smart and passed the ball out to the side more. I don't know if this is planned or acciedent.

 

No forward passing! I can't believe you make fun of our American Football. That sounds as boring as a High School Wrestling match

 

I agree. But then your football is just as boring. Nothing like a good field hockey match.

 

When I browse by a rugby match on TV, I see them punt the ball forward, so that should be a legitimate maneuver.

But I think there an "offside" rule to prevent a team from sending players behind the line of opposition to receive those punts.

So basically the strategy behind punting (other than scoring points directly) is to use it when in trouble - ie: when you are dangerously close to your own endzone.

 

You cannot tackle or recive the ball from behind, afaik. The point of the kicking usually is to get up the oppositions end. They try to kick it out the side on the other side of the field. Although sometimes they just kick it in hopes that can catch it and get a luckey break.

 

What is the size of this field?

 

There is an "offside" rule when there is a kick during play. Any player in front of the kicker when his boot hits the ball cannot place presure on the catcher or score a try. However they are leniant with this rule and if its been awhile since the ball was caught (say about 5 seconds) then they are no longer offside.

The reason why there is no forward passing is because you can't tackle someone if they do not have the ball, unless the ball hasn't been 'released' from a tackle.

The field is 120m long (10m for each goal area) however I'm not sure how wide, I think its between 30 and 40m.

You can drop the ball as long as you do not drop it forward from your body, otherwise a 'knock-on' is called and advantage is given to the other side, if they don't get this advantage the referee calls a scrum where the ball was knocked on and the team that did not knock the ball on is allowed to feed the ball into the scrum.

If the ball goes out of play via the side boundaries then a 'line out' is formed where the ball went out. The side that did not send the ball out of play gets to throw the ball between two columns of players, one column for each team. It must go straight between the columns. The advantage here is that the thrower might make a certain call and he will either throw it high and back, short and close or in the middle of the columns. He may also feign a throw then throw it to put the opposition off.

You can not tackle another player's neck or higher. This warrents a penalty and if it looked deliberate or it was dangerous the player may face a yellow card (sent off for 10 minutes and team is forced to play for one less man for that time) or a red card where the player is sent off for the entire game.

Other situations can result in yellow or red cards such as talking back to the referee, profesional fouls (e.g. tacking someone who doesn't have the ball) or something that the referee decides warrents a sending off.

 

ok - rugby 101

size of field = 100 metres between try lines and 65 or so metres in width

2 halves of 40 minutes

positions in detail
numbers are representative of positions in the actual game, and in this mini guide

i have also picked some players from this year's world cup who are the best in their position

1 2 3
6 4 5 7
8

9
10
12
13
11 14

15

1 = loosehead prop
the rock, keeps scrum stable, tackles like mad, hits the ball up, huge workrate
Tassadar's pick - Trevor Woodman (ENG)

2 = hooker
important in scrums, throws lineout ball, also tackles like mad, hits the ball up, usually more mobile than props
Tassadar's pick - Keith Wood (IRE)

3 = tighthead prop
puts pressure on opposition loosehead in scrums, otherwise, same job as loosehead
Tassadar's pick - Phil Vickery (ENG)

4 and 5 = lock
tallest guys in the team (usually over 6'4")
take lineout ball, provide power in the scrums
Tassadar's picks - Martin Johnson (ENG) and Chris Jack (NZL)

6 = blindside flanker
usually stronger than the openside flanker, and a bit bigger - less mobile, but does more work in the tight (ie - doesn't run around the park as much)
Tassadar's pick - Corne Krige (SAF)

7 = openside flanker
workhorse of the team - fast, athletic, good skills, great tackler, forces turnovers, always first to the tackled ball area
Tassadar's pick - Richie McCaw (NZL)

8 = number 8 (very original, i know)
the typical #8 does 2 things, smash it up and tackle - the best #8s also work at the back of the scrum, pilfer loose ball and provide support around the park
Tassadar's pick - Lawrence Dallaglio (ENG)

9 = halfback
distributes ball, tackles around the fringes of the rucks and scrums, preferably has good acceleration, a good clearing kick and a fast, flat pass
Tassadar's pick - Fabien Galthie (FRA)

10 = first five/eighths (fly half)
showpony of the team, ordinary tackler (usually), but full array of passing and kicking skills, and the best 1st fives also run the ball
Tassadar's pick - Carlos Spencer (NZL) *i really do not think jonny wilkinson is a good enough 1st five*

12 = second five/eighths
good runner of the ball, but must also have passing skills to feed his outside backs, the best 2nd fives are also good kickers
Tassadar's pick - Aaron Mauger (NZL)

13 = centre
difficult position to occupy, must have skill, strength, speed, awareness and plenty of toughness
the best in the game regularly punch holes in defences, and dish it out with punishing tackles at the other end of the field
Tassadar's pick - Tana Umaga (NZL)

11 and 14 = wing
speed, speed, speed - other skills are a bonus
these guys finish off tries
Tassadar's picks - Rupeni Caucaunibuca (FIJ) and Joe Rokocoko (NZL)

15 = fullback
last line of defence, good in the tackle, safe under the high ball, but in the modern game must also be a genuine threat on the counterattack - typically creates an extra man overlap by injecting into the front line
Tassadar's pick - Mils Muliaina (NZL)

that's it for now...

 

The length of the playing area of a rugby field must not exceed 100 metres. At each end of the field there is an additional length of goal area between 10 and 22 metres in length. The width of a rugby field must not exceed 70 metres. So the simplest answer to the size of a rugby pitch is 100x70 metres plus goal areas.

As for rugby tactics, like American football they're probably apparent to experts and afficionados, yet utterly opaque to the rest of us. A rugby game often looks like barely organized chaos, but there is some method in the madness.

Each player on the field must mark his opposing number. When one side makes a break, it is usually due to a failure of one player to mark his opponent.

As stated in another post, it is the principal function of the big forwards to get hold of the ball (while maybe knocking a few holes in the opposition defence) and the duty of the lighter, more athletic backs to run with the ball. If you have the ball, it is your task to evade your mark and any other players in your way. You can dodge them if you're nimble enough or push them away (called a "hand off") if you're strong enough. If you're really huge it is a valid tactic to run straight at your man and bowl him over. Ultimately, you are trying to obtain what is called an "overlap", where there are more players running with the ball than there are defenders able to tackle them. If you achieve this, you usually score.

Tactics come into play in the "set pieces". Set pieces are used to restart play when it has come a stop for some reason. A "scrum" is called for when the teams are in stalemate or the ball has been passed forward. There are other circumstances as well, but I don't want to spend all day writing this post. The two sets of forwards huddle together in two sets of eight men and come together hard and push with all their might. A player called the "scrum half" will put the ball into the scrum (he is also generally the player who receives the ball when it comes back out of the scrum). The team putting in have an advantage - they generally get the ball when it comes out again. The man in the centre of the first row of forward players, called the "hooker", has the job of hacking the ball backwards when it is fed into the scrum. If the scrum was called because of stalemate, the team who had the ball at the time get put in. If called due to a forward pass, the team loses possession. Having a heavier, stronger pack of forwards is a huge advantage for a team because they can win most of the scrums. This is one of England's principal strengths.

Another set piece is called a "lineout". This occurs when the ball goes into "touch", that is out of the field of play. The forwards line up in two rows. The team that put the ball into touch loses possession (except in one case, see below). The hooker is responsible for throwing the ball back into play. He throws down the exact centre of the two rows of forwards (if he fails to do so more than a couple of times he is penalised). It is the job of one of the receiving forwards either to catch the ball in the air or knock it to one of the backs. Given that the hooker throws the ball exactly between the two lines of forwards, how come the team with possession generally keep the ball? The hooker will arc his throw so that it reaches a specific player in the lineout and he will signal his intention through some secret sign. They practise these throws for hours so that they can get them on target. It is this knowledge which allows the team with possession to keep it more often than not.

If you look at the set pieces you will notice that the backs basically form up in a diagonal line behind the forwards. The idea here is that when the forwards get the ball and feed it back the ball is passed up the line to the "wing" (the extreme left or right of the line of backs) and it is the job of the winger to run like crazy. You will also see that there is one player who stands far back from the area where the game is being played. He is the fullback and serves as a last line of defence.

A player receiving the ball may opt to kick it up the field. He can do this for three reasons:
1. To gain territory at the expense of losing posession.
2. To clear the ball away from his danger area.
3. To gain territory and hopefully keep posession as well.

In the first case, the player kicks the ball as far as he can with the intention of kicking it out of play. Ideally, the trajectory of the kick will follow the touch line for some distance before going out of play. This gives away possession, but a good kick can gain forty to fifty metres of territory. This is particularly good if it's a penaly kick because then you both gain territory and keep possession.

In the second case, the aim is simply to kick the ball out of play. If it goes far up the field, all well and good, but it is not the primary aim.

In the third case a player will kick what is called an "up and under" or "garryowen". This is a high arcing ball which spends a long time in the air. The aim is to send it far into opposition territory, but not to put it out of play. The high arc gives your players time to run up the field and hopefully grab the ball when it lands (I believe that they have to let it bounce first - perhaps someone will confirm this for me). An opposing player who catches the ball cleanly and stands his ground may call for a "mark". This gives him a free kick back up the field. It is no mean feat to achieve a mark when you have four or five men each weighing between fifteen and eighteen stone running at you full tilt.

If the player receiving the ball is skilled enough he can also kick it at goal. This is called a "drop kick" and you must kick it after letting it bounce off the ground first. Few players have the skill required to do this as it's extremely tricky. If a team is unable to get through their opposition's defence to score a try, you will often see the ball fed to the one man who can reliably kick at goal.

When watching rugby, you will often see a team penalized without being able to see why. I am frequently baffled by penalty calls, but three of the most frequent reasons for a team being penalised are:
1. Foul or dangerous play.
2. Being offside.
3. Failing to let go of the ball when tackled.

Foul play is usually obvious - you will often see one player punch another, for example. Dangerous play includes high tackles, where you grab an opponent around the neck, and collapsing the scrum where one side brings a scrum to the ground so that the other team can't push them backwards. Because of the way players are interlocked in a scrum, collapsing it can lead to serious neck injuries. As a quick aside, rugby is the only game I've seen where punching an opponent doesn't result in instant dismissal. I'm fairly certain that if a soccer player landed one on one of his opponents, he's not only get a red card but a possible lifetime ban as well.

Offside is when you go to where the ball is being played from your opponent's side of the field. You will often see a player left behind when the ball goes up the field, or when an opposing player makes a break. He then has to run so that he is behind the imaginary line of his teammates before he can get back into the game.

When you're brought to the ground you must release the ball immediately. Since this often means giving away possession, many players hold tight, hoping that the referee doesn't notice. He usually does.

Good God, I didn't intend this post to be so long, but you know how it is once you get started...

 

Michalak (FRA) is the best performing fly half so far this World Cup. Jonny Wilko isn't yet the worlds best, but he's in the top 3 or 5 (depending on opinion ) and times on his side

BTW: Nice post Chris

 

unfortunately i haven't seen enough of michalak yet (france's games are always on pretty late), but from what i hear he's very well balanced - kicking, passing, flair, general play - so i'll decide after the weekend

wilkinson can certainly get better - but he needs outside backs with more penetration so he can be more effective, plus england's current game plan is almost suppressing his creative flair - if he played for, say, france or the all blacks, or even the wallabies, i think he could be a lot more influential in terms of open play

 

The problem in the last few games has been that the absence of Richard Hill meant that Ben Cohen has had to play a slightly more defensive role. And he has been filling Wilko's channels all the time, but he's a winger. End of.

Hopefully, now Hill's back, we will improve .

I still fancy ol' England to raise our game to the necessary level and thoroughly thump the frog mutilating, garlic swilling, surrender monkeys on Sunday .

 

A field looks like this:

..........22........10....50....10.....22..........
|..........|........|......|......|..........|..........|
|..........|........|......|......|..........|..........|
|..........|........|......|......|..........|..........|
|..........|........|......|......|..........|..........|
|..........|........|......|......|..........|..........|
|..........|........|......|......|..........|..........|
|..........|........|......|......|..........|..........|
|..........|........|......|......|..........|..........|
|..........|........|......|......|..........|..........|

The rules were previously listed. I shall expand on them.
.........11.............6....1
.............................4..
15...............10.9.8....2
..............12...........5...
.........13.............7....3
.....14........................

The players are named as follows
1 - Tighthead Prop
2 - Hooker
3 - Loosehead Prop
4 - Second Row
5 - Second Row
6 - Blindside Flanker
7 - Openside Flanker
8 - Lock
9 - Scrum Half (Halfback)
10 - Fly Half (five-eight)
11 - Left Wing
12 - Inside Centre
13 - Outside Centre (Centre)
14 - Right Wing
15 - Fullback

When the game starts, one of the teams does a drop kick (ball hits the ground before contact of the foot) and the game is on. When the ball is caught, the receiver has two options. He can kick the ball or he can run with it. If he kicks:

1- If he is behind the 22 meter line, he can opt to kick it as far as he can to make it land outside the boundaries. If he succeeds in this, then the ball is taken to where it first crossed the line and a line out is made, with the throw in going to the other team.

2- If he is infront of the 22, he must make the ball land on the inside of the line before it goes out, or else the ball is taken to a line perpendicular to where he was on the field and the other team has the throw in. If not, see 1.

Or he can run with it.
If he chooses to run, he has to make it as far up to the other end as possible without being tackled. When he is tackled, he drops to the ground and realese the ball to his back, with the intention that his team's forwards will push back the opposition and the scrum half will throw it out to the awaiting backs.

Rules concerning a ruck
1 - No teams players can pick the ball up, excepting those that are releasing it from the ruck. Else, a penalty called 'hands in the ruck is called'. This constitutes a kick at goals or a restart of play.
2 - The opposing teams players cannot come into the ruck from the side. This is called 'coming in from the side'. This constitutes a free kick at the goal, or a restart of play.
3 - The player on the ground MUST release the ball, else a penalty is called against the players team. This is called 'not releasing the ball'. The ball is then 'handed over' to the other team.

Basically, that is the basics. There are more, such as 'no stomping' or 'foul play' but those are pretty self evident. When the ball is thrown out by the scrum half, the process is repeated until there is a stop of play.

Lineouts:
The team lines up in parallel lines that are perpendicular to the sideline, 5 metres out. The hooker then throws the ball into the two teams lines, straight down the centre, which is a gap of about 2 meters. The teams then jump for the ball, also lifting their players to jump higher. The idea is to grab the ball and then be slowly lowered down to form a maul.

Concerning Mauls:
A maul is when one player, while still on his feet, faces his back to the opposing team and walks backwards, ball out in front. Then his forwards push him backwards into the opposing team, pressing them backwards and protecting the ball from being stolen. Then the scrum half releases the ball from him and the game is on again.

Concerning trys.
When a player reaches the 0 meter mark, he has a space of approximately 10 meters long and 50 wide in which to place the ball on the ground. This will then constitute a try, which adds 5 points to his teams score. Then, his kicker will take the ball out as far as he deems suitable perpendicular to where he placed the ball down, and kicks the ball towards the poles at the end of the field. If the ball goes through, then it is deemed to be converted, which adds another 2 points to the teams score.

That is pretty well the basics of the game. There are a couple of other rules, such as the ball going into touch that I didn't mention, but this post is already too big. I think this should sum it up rather well for those out there that don't understand a REAL man's footy. Cheers!

 

Here are a couple of historical oddities about rugby. It is (AFAIK) the only remaining ball game where you have to pass the ball behind you (i.e. no forward pass allowed). However, this used to be a feature of other games: American football until the early twentieth century and soccer until the late nineteenth.

Originally, a try scored no points at all. It simply gave you an opportunity to "try" at goal (hence the name). However, it soon became apparent that getting the ball over the goal line for a touch down was harder than anything else so points were awarded. The number of points has progressively increased to encourage teams to go for the tries, since those make for the most exciting rugby.

EDIT:
@Tassadar or Baezlebub
You appear to be the two most knowldgeable posters. Please explain the infraction called "going over the top".

 

Thats not completely true. Rugby league requires the players to pass backwards. However, it is derived from Union, so we'll let that pass.

In answer to your question about going over the top, I'm not quite sure. I'll leave Tasadar to field that one.