Rugby
History of Rugby
Rugby is a sport that can be traced back many years. The game was influenced by a number of ancient games played throughout Europe. The game "La Soule" from France which literally translates to "a rough-and-tumble cross-country game", "Hurling(to goals/over country)" of the Cornish or Welsh in the 18th century, and "Cnappan" that was played in Pembrokeshire in the 17th century. It can even be said that Rugby originated from the old English tradition of bottle kicking, dating back to pagan times.
Across the globe there were many pastimes played among primitive tribes that resembled Rugby. Some of these tribes include the Maoris (New Zeeland), Polynesians, Eskimos and Philippine Islanders. In medieval times it is well documented that rival villages would play against one another and kicked, ran and blast a ball past their opponents. This type of pastime was highly frowned upon by royalty, and was banned because of the noise the participants made. In London, hundreds of men played kicking and running games together in an open piece of land, which could get a bit noisy.
But the most popular view of where Rugby originated from is the story of Web Ellis- the boy who inspired the game of Rugby. In 1823 it is said that young Web Ellis, disregarding the rules of football, picked up the ball, and ran with it. This took place in the Rugby school, England. Between 1750 and 1823 handling of the ball was permitted, but no running with the ball was allowed. There also was no fixed limit to players on a side, which sometimes led to hundreds of boys playing together, which resulted in one big rolling maul. Running with ball in hand was introduced somewhere between 1820 and 1830.
The first written rules of Rugby football was published on august 28, 1845. In that time, football was suppressed because of the highway act that forbade them to play it on highways and public land. But luckily, schools made it possible for it to live on. Rugby school's rules were used in schools such as Eton, Westminister, Harrow and Winchester to play football to.
Around 1863 there was a meeting held to finalize a basic set of rules, as the Rugby football game was played all over England. This is where the split came in Football, between Association football (football) and Rugby football (rugby). A lot of the Association football members withdrew when they said they won't allow running with the ball in hands, or at all picking up the ball.
The players that left school formed clubs so they can still play their beloved game, and men even joined who never got the chance to play. The Rugby Football Union was established in 1871, and clarified that no "hacking" of the ball would be allowed. 21 clubs attended the founding meeting which included St. Paul's School, King's Collage, Wellington Collage, Harlequins, and Civil Service, which are all still playing today.
Along with the founding of the Rugby Football Union, a committee was formed and 3 old-pupils of Rugby school were invited to formulate the rules. Because all three men were lawyers, they formulated "laws" and not "rules". The Laws of Rugby have changed over the years, and spawned other games such as American Football and Australian Rules football.
Basic Principles of Rugby
A Rugby field is a pitch, measuring 100m in length and 75m in width. There is also a dead-ball area behind the try line on each side of 22m. There are two goal posts, each on the try line and measures 5.6m across and shaped like an "H". The horizontal bar of the post is 3m from the ground.
A game of Rugby is played over 80minutes, with 40minutes on a side and extra time can be added, depending on injuries. But with international Test Rugby, the clock is stopped every time a stoppage in the game occurs. This makes it fairer and the half ends immediately after the 40minutes are over and the ball goes dead.
A Rugby team consists of 15 players on a side, with up to seven replacements to each team. A team has eight "Forwards" (numbered 1-8), and seven "Backs" (numbered 9-15)
1: Prop (loose head)
2: Hooker
3: Prop (tight head)
4: Lock
5: Lock
6: Flanker
7: Flanker
8: number 8
9: Scrum half
10: Fly half (outside half or stand-off)
11: Left wing
12: Left centre or inside centre
13: Right centre or outside centre
14: Right wing
15: Full back
A game is started with a kick from mid-field. It should travel at least ten meters into the opposing side's territory. When points are scored, the game is to start from the beginning with a kick-off from centre field. The team progress the ball into the other team's territory. The main goal of the game is to reach the goal line (try-line) and scoring a try by touching down the ball anywhere over the line. The team can accomplish this by either kicking the ball forward, or running with the ball and passing it backwards to the other players. It is illegal to pass the ball forward, and can be penalized by a scrum, giving the possession to the other team.
A line out is a result of the ball being kicked into touch, which is given to the defending side. Players (usually the forwards) lines up and tries to catch the ball, and thereby winning possession, when thrown in by (usually) the Hooker.
Tackling occurs when a player from the defending side tackles the ball carrier in attempt to bring him to the ground. When the ball carrier is on the ground, he should release the ball and this gives the defending team a chance to win back possession of the ball. The team mates of the ball carrier now form a ruck in order to protect their possession, and aligning the ball so it would be legal for them to pick it up again. If the ball carrier is tackled, but not grounded, the carrier's team mates can form a maul to protect their possession.
The play continues to these principles until points are scored, or a penalty is given. Penalties are awarded to the opposing team it the other team makes an illegal move or commit an offence. There are four ways of giving a penalty.
Kick at goal: This is a penalty goal, kicked at the goal posts. It can reward the team with 3 point, but if missed, the ball goes dead.
Scrum: this gives the advantage to the attacking side, especially if they push the ball over their try-line resulting in a try.
Tap and run: this is a quick kick from a player, and the whole team runs after. It is useful if the opposing team's defense isn't organized yet, or if they are still retreating, awaiting the penalty.
Kick to touch: this is used to gain a large amount of territory. The team with the penalty wins the line-out, which is a result from the kick to touch.
Points in Rugby can be scored in a number of different ways.
Try: a try occurs when a player carries the ball over the opposing team's try-line and grounding it. This is the highest points scoring move, and is awarded 5 points. Because of this, try-scoring is the major objective of the game.
Conversion: after a try was scored, the try-scoring team is awarded a conversion, and only then. The ball is kicked towards the goal posts, and if the ball goes over and between the posts, two points are added to the five from the try. The kick takes place in line to where the ball was grounded for the try.
Penalty Goal: this is an option that can be taken if the team it is awarded to is close enough to kick at goal. If successful, a Penalty Goal is awarded three points.
Drop Goal: a Drop Goal occurs in the running game, where any player can attempt to kick the ball through the posts when near enough. They must first drop the ball to the ground, and kick it to goal, going over and between the posts. It is awarded three points.
Penalty Try: this doesn't happen a lot, and is awarded by the match referee. It is awarded if the defending team has committed a foul that more than kept the other team from scoring a try, or if they repeatedly brake down the run of play near the try-line, preventing try-scoring.
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