What is Rugby?
Rugby is played on a field (pitch) slightly longer and wider than an American football field. The ball is slightly larger and more rounded than an American football. A match is played in two 40-minute halves, with a five minute halftime to rest and regroup. In the game of rugby, every individual player contributes to ball movement through carrying, passing, and kicking. This creates a high level of athletic versatility amongst all players. Rugby is also a game of constant motion, without stoppages except for penalties. This requires of its players a high level of physical stamina. |
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| Perhaps the defining image of rugby is the scrum, during which eight players from each team bind together and engage, to push in unison in competition for the ball, which is rolled into the tunnel in the center. The scrum gave rise to linemen and the line of scrimmage in American gridiron football. | |||
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Rugby is a contact sport, both boy’s and girl’s teams. Defenses work to disrupt advancing offenses by tackling the ball carrier. Because play continues after the tackle however, rugby players are trained to carry themselves into a tackle much differently than a gridiron football player. Particular attention must be paid to body position and control during a tackle in order for it to benefit the team. |
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| A rugby team is split up into forwards and backs. Forwards participate in most ‘set play’ such as scrums and lineouts. They typically remain in close formation and do most of the heavy work, like rucking and mauling, two other types of contact that involve retaining and advancing the ball. Backs meanwhile spread the field and use their finesse, speed, and passing ability to find space and beat the defense. |  |
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