1 of 1

Write now Article Tools

Rugby Union is a fast-paced hard contact sport that pits two teams against each other over eighty minutes. Matches are played on a pitch that must not exceed 70 metres in width and 100 metres in length and (in simplified terms) the aim is to advance the ball deep into the opposition's half and either touch the ball down for a try or else kick the ball between the posts. The sport emerged as a breakaway element from Association Football and there are some key differences in the way that the ball can be advanced that make rugby so special and unique.

In essence, there are two ways that players can advance the ball in rugby. They can either pass the ball through hands to run the ball forward into opposition territory, or they can kick the ball. Let's look at the intricacies of each of these approaches.

1. Running with the ball in hand:

Rugby Union has a rule that the ball cannot be thrown forward. In this respect, therefore, it's very different from other sports such as American Football or soccer where players will frequently pick out a team-mate with a piercing forward pass. Given that rugby players must either pass the ball sideways or backwards, the onus is upon using either strength or pace to find a way through the opposition's defence.

Rugby Union places a great importance upon set plays, such as scrums and line-outs, as ways in which the play develops. These set plays involve the big forwards and, traditionally, the smaller and faster backs then place themselves in a line out towards the touch line, ready to receive the ball. If we take the example of a scrum, the team that wins the scrum will normally feed the ball to the scrum half, who will then consider his attacking options. One option is to feed the ball out along his line of backs, so from scrum half to out half, through the centres and finally out to the wing. The idea will be for players to run to make some yards, then pass the ball onto the next player, before they get tackled, and that receiving player then similarly tries to make some more yards.

In an ideal scenario, the attacking team would pass the ball from player to player and the last player would then run through unopposed to score a try under the posts. However, the reality is that most attacks break down through the opposition line holding firm and tackles being made that result in the ball going to ground. This brings us onto another key aspect of rugby, namely the importance of recycling the ball at the breakdowns. Let's say that your

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• next page >>

Add your voice

Know something about How to advance the ball in rugby union?
We want to hear your view. Write now!