Objective: Rugby is a collective sport in which two teams of 15 players face each other (in the most widespread form of rugby). The objective is to put the oval ball in the opposing scoring zone more times than the other team.
Equipment: The basic equipment of a player consists of a shirt, shorts, socks, boots and protections.
The ball: The ball must be oval, with four panels and must respect the following dimensions: length (between 28 and 30 cm), greater perimeter (between 76 and 79 cm), smallest perimeter (between 58 and 62 cm) and weight (between 410 and 460 g).
These dimensions can be reduced only for school players and rugby schools.
Game duration: A match is played in two 40-minute parts. 10 minute break between the two parts. In the event of a tie after the end of regulation time, there will be an extension of two parts of 10 minutes.
The basic movements:
Unlike football, in which the use of the hand is prohibited, rugby is played mainly with the hands:
The pass is made by throwing the ball to a teammate located behind or at the same height. The forward pass is not allowed.
To score a try, simply put the ball behind the goal line. It is considered a trial when an attacker touches the ground in the opponent's goal zone with the ball.
Playing with the foot is also possible. It allows the kicker to take the ball out of his field or get more points, that the center can play short over the defense, ...
The key phases of the game
The game without the ball or support game: Tackling is a way of stopping the progression of the player carrying the ball. In rugby, this is a defensive staple. A player has been tackled if he has at least one knee on the ground. It is an action where the defender is going to immobilize the player carrying the ball by the waist or legs. He must leave or pass the ball when it is on the ground.
The touche: The touche is a phase of the basic game in rugby. If a player passes or touches the touch line, it is touche, as the line is not part of the playing area. To play a touche you need at least two players from each team. The talonador is the player in charge of throwing the ball into the field from the point where it came from, the second row must be done with the ball. The touche is valid from the moment the ball is caught.
Scrum: It is signaled by the referee when a team effect one pass forward. The players are arranged in order, forming a lead of eight players in a circle around the ball. When the scrum half introduces the ball, the talons of each team try to carry the ball towards them, until the last of the players that make up the scrum. The scrum is over when the ball comes out from under the feet of the last player
The positions:
Each player wears a number on their back so that they can be identified. These numbers correspond to a position:
First line ( Number 1, 2, 3) : the pillars (1, 3) and the heels (2), nicknamed the "fat men" for their impressive physique. They are in charge of getting the ball. The pillars wrap around the beater to form the front row. In the scrum, they are in charge of pushing the opposing pillars. The pillars also have the role of lifting your partner in a touche. In a touche, the talonador puts the ball into play by throwing it in the middle of the formation.
Second line (Number 4 and 5): The second row players are traditionally the biggest players on the team. In the scrum they assert their ability to push. They must also catch the ball in the touche and provide security. They participate in the game with numerous tackles and keeping the game going.
Third line (Number 6, 7, 8): Number 6 pushes to the left of the scrum, number 7 to the right, while number 8 occupies the corridor (he is the last player in the scrum). They are the players who make the highest number of tackles during a match. They help the team when they have possession of the ball and must also fill the gaps in the defense.
Melee Middle (Number 9): It occupies a strategic position and connects the lead with the defense lines. He is also in charge of introducing the balls into the scrum. His footwork is accurate and useful in clearing the ball from his field.
The opening medium (Number 10) : He is the director of the team, a true strategist. Lead the team and make the decisions.
The three-quarter line (Numbers 11, 12, 13, 14): The role of the central three-quarters (12, 13) is as offensive as it is defensive. They draw the greatest number of players towards them to free the wings from the three-quarter line (11, 14). The wings must mark and stand out for their speed.
The defender (Number 15): He is the last defender, he occupies an important position because he must have defensive and offensive qualities.
