Rugby Football History All Blacks Barbarians Canada British & Irish Lions Ireland Scotland Springboks USA Wales Wallabies Introduction Originally the number of players in a game of Rugby football was not limited, and there were no formal playing positions. Games at rugby school were simply played by however many boys wanted to play in a particular game. A kind of huge rolling maul developed, moving around the field since there was a very limited amount of space on the field in which to run. As the game began to be played between different schools and clubs a fixed number of players was needed. This then allowed players to start specializing in certain positions and to develop particular skills appropriate to those positions. Rugby teams were then limited to twenty players made up of seventeen forwards and three full backs whose sole job was to maintain possession if the opposition managed to hack it out the scrum. Circa 1875 the number of players in a team was reduced to fifteen (ten forwards and five backs). Today the player names, positions and numbers worn on shirts are defined by the International Rugby Board (IRB).

Players usually have the following position names and numbers although there are some local variations in namingin common use: F full back 1 & 3 Prop Along with the hooker, the loose-head and tight-head props make up what is known as the front row, which refers to their position in the scrum. To be successful, both props must be extremely strong in the neck, shoulders, upper body and legs, and they should relish head-to-head competition. While stopping their side of the scrum from moving backwards, the props also support the hooker's body weight, allowing him or her to see and strike the ball when it is put into the scrum. In the lineout, props should be able to support or lift the jumper to prevent the opposition winning the ball. Away from set pieces, props help to secure the ball when a player has been tackled, so it helps if they can combine their power with a degree of mobility. You’ll also often see them used as battering rams in attack, receiving short passes after a ruck or maul and hitting the opposition defence at pace in an attempt to occupy the defenders and make space for their own backs.

2 Hooker Lining up in the scrum between the two props, the hooker is one of the forwards’ key decision-makers. He or she will coordinate the timing at the scrum, and is also responsible for winning possession in the scrummage by hooking the ball back through the props' legs. To allow the hooker to do this effectively, the props support much of the hooker’s weight, leaving him or her free to concentrate on hooking the ball back, rather than pushing against the opposition forwards. For this reason the hooker is often the smallest member of a front-row trio. At the lineout he or she is responsible for throwing the ball in and must be able to accurately hit the lineout jumper who is expecting the ball. In open play the hooker plays a similar role to the props, securing possession at rucks and mauls, or taking short ‘crash’ passes. 4 & 5 Lock The second row forwards (also known as locks) are the engine room of the scrum and the target men in the lineout, meaning that they need to be tall, powerful players with excellent scrummaging technique and pinpoint timing.

If they bind to each other and the props too loosely in the scrum their pack will lose power, and if they are not accurate and dynamic with their lineout jumping, it offers the opposition forwards a chance to steal possession. In open play the second row’s duties have evolved from being support players at rucks and mauls to ball carriers. If a marauding second row is comfortable with the ball in hand, their bulk and power makes them very difficult to stop. 6 & 7 Flanker Open-side and blind-side flankers are often considered to be the players with the fewest set responsibilities, but as such must be excellent all-rounders with inexhaustible energy. Speed, strength, fitness, tackling and handling skills are all vital. Flankers are more often than not at the centre of the action – winning balls at the ruck and maul, collecting short passes from tackled players and making their own big tackles in open play. While they can rarely be blamed for a loss, they can certainly be the key to victory. The open-side flanker plays on the far side of the scrum from the touchline and is often smaller in size than their blind-side partner, making them more mobile around the pitch.

The blind-side flanker tends to have bigger, more physical role around the pitch, and also acts as a target jumper in the lineout. 8 Number Eight Support play, tackling and ball-carrying are the No.8’s areas of expertise, making his or her duties similar to the two flankers. Together the trio forms a unit called the back row. Binding on right at the back of the scrum, the No.8 is also the only player from the forwards who is allowed to pick the ball up from the base of the scrum. It is a move that is often used to gain vital yards when a team is scrummaging close to the opposition try line, and for it to be truly effective the No.8 must be an explosive, dynamic runner. 9 Scrum-Half Acting as the link between the forwards and the backs, the scrum half is a key player when it comes to building attacks. Playing just behind the forwards, a good scrum half will control exactly when the ball is fed out to the backs from the rear of a scrum, ruck or maul. A scrum half needs good vision, speed and awareness, quick hands and lightning reactions.

They tend to be one of the smaller players on the pitch and so rely on protection from their own forwards. An indecisive or poorly protected scrum half makes easy meat for a rampaging opposition flanker. 10 Fly-Half The heartbeat of the side and arguably the most influential player on the pitch. Almost every attack will go through the fly half, who also has the responsibility of deciding when to pass the ball out to the centres and when to kick for position. The fly half must orchestrate the team's back line, deciding what rehearsed moves to put into action and reacting to gaps in defence. He or she is also the main target for the defending team's open-side flanker and so must be strong in the tackle. The fly half has to be able to relieve territorial pressure by kicking down the field into touch, and is often the team's designated place kicker for conversions, penalties and drop goal attempts. In defence he or she will marshal the backs to ensure each opposition player is covered, and a strong-tackling fly half can snuff out opposition attacks before they start. 11 & 14 Wing Playing out wide on the side of the pitch, the winger is a team’s finisher in attack.

A winger is also often the last line of defence when they don’t have the ball and as such, pace is their major resource. 12 & 13 Centre The inside centre – who stands closest to the fly half when the backs line up – and the outside centre tend to be strong, dynamic runners with a good eye for exposing gaps in the opposition defence. In attack they tend to run very direct lines. The centres take on their opposite number in an attempt to either break the defensive line, or draw in enough opposition defenders to create space and try-scoring opportunities for their team-mates. As such they need to be strong and powerful, and when attack turns into defence, they must also be accomplished at tackling. The inside centre is often the more creative in a centre pairing and should be able to pass and kick nearly as well as the fly half. In either defence or attack, the inside centre tends to be all action – dishing out the tackles and then drawing the opposition defence. Meanwhile, the outside centre tends to be the faster of the two and the ability to offload the ball quickly to the wingers is also vital.

15 Full-back Lining up behind the entire back line, the full back is the closest thing that rugby has to a sweeper in defence. But they also receive deep kicks from the opposition, so they must be comfortable catching high balls and launching attacks from the resulting possession. As such, the full back must have enough tactical awareness to recognise when to counter-kick, and when to run with the ball, often from deep within his or her half. Having started life as a winger, ex-England, Sale and British Lions player Jason Robinson was an excellent example of a running full back who also had the ability to kick his way out of trouble – the perfect combination for a number 15. This high-pressure position is not for the faint-hearted, but those who can combine tackling, kicking, catching and running with a cool head can excel here. Player line-up Players will typically line up as follows at a scrum: Position Hierarchy Here is a hierarchy of player position naming including collective terms, the corresponding common player numbering shown in parenthesis: Forwards Notes: In some countries the term halfback refers solely to the scrum half, while in other countries it applies to both the scrum half and the fly half.

New Zealand saw advantage in having a fourth player in the three-quarters placing a forward between the half back and the three-quarters. Legend has it that the position was named by deciding that the half back was 4/8ths and the three-quarters 6/8ths, so therefore the new position must be a 5/8ths. When fly half play developed they introduced the first 5/8th and the second 5/8th. Hence the fly half is sometimes referred to as the 1st 5/8, implying a slightly deeper position than halfback and the inside centre is sometimes referred to as the 2nd 5/8 implying a more forward position than a 3/4 back. Centres used to be called Centre Three-quarters and Wings, Wing Three-quarters. The term three quarters collectively describes the centers, wings and full-back. In some countries the Flankers are referred to as 'Break-aways' e.g. New Zealand. In some countries the No. 8 is referred to as the 'Last man down' e.g. New Zealand.

Additional collective terms: History of Positions Origin of the Half-Back (collective name for Fly-half and Scrum-half) Originally the rules described three full backs which was later changed to one and the other two players were then stationed at a midpoint between the forwards and the full backs and were to be called half-way backs. In time this was shortened to half backs. Their role and that of the full back continued to be to fall on the ball in the event of the opposition hacking it out of the scrum. Origin of Fly-Half In 1878 at Cardiff, in Wales, they developed a short pass to one of the half backs who would then go charging ahead with the ball. He became known as the flying half back which in time was shortened to the fly half. In New Zealand the fly half is sometimes referred to as the 1st 5/8, implying a slightly deeper position than halfback. Origin of the three-quarters In the 1880’s the game had spread to the Universities, particularly Cambridge and Oxford, whose input lead to far more thought being put into the game and the style of play that was developed.

They were instrumental in the development of the games tactics, the introduction of need to practice and the coaching of the players. In addition they re organised the scrum, developed short passes amongst the forwards and long passes amongst the backs. This led to the need for more players to be placed in the back line between the halves and the full back. The fraction between a half and a whole (full) is three-quarters. Note: One alternative theory for why they are called three-quarters is that these new positions were called 'quarters' and the fact that three of them were put in this position led to them being known as three-quarters. But this seems unlikely since there is an obvious progression from Half-back (half-way from the from of the scrum to the full back), Five-eighths, three-quarters, full back.. Scotland claim the honour of having first introduced a third three-quarter, against Ireland in 1881. Origin of the centre and wings The middle player being called the centre with the two on his outside called wings. Fouth three-quarter The introduction of a fourth player into the three-quarters was to a large extent, accidental, with Wales again being allowed to take the honour.

In 1885 Cardiff were due to play a tough match away from home and their first choice centre was not available so they promoted one Frank E. Hancock from the second side in his place. Hancock was a great success scoring two vital tries. When the Cardiff selectors sat down to pick their team for the next match they were keen to revert to their original team, but they were most reluctant to drop Hancock, so they compromised by introducing a fourth three-quarter. Within two years Wales had introduced it at international level. The New Zealanders were quick to see the advantage of having a fourth player in the three-quarters. Their solution was to pull a forward out the pack and put him between the half back and the three-quarters. Their problem was what did they call the new position. Legend has it that consent was reached by deciding that the half back was 4/8ths and the three-quarters 6/8ths, so therefore the new position must be a 5/8ths, a name that has continued to this day in that country. When fly half play developed they introduced the first 5/8th and the second 5/8th. Origin of the Number 8 This is a two-part question.

In summary, the No 8 position evolved in South Africa, but was christened in New Zealand. a) How did the No.8 evolve? The position now known as No.8 evolved in South Africa in the 1920s. Before the Great War a number of scrum patterns were tried. Most involved a three-man front-row in a 3-3-2 or more commonly 3-2-3 pack. Paddy Carolin of the 1906 Springboks claimed to have experimented with a 3-4-1 formation. New Zealand most notably always used a 2-3-2 system. Their so-called diamond scrum had a rover to act as a detached winging forward who could also double as a second scrum-half. The Law dictating that a scrum must have a three-man front-row did not come into effect until the 1951-2 season (Law 15c.). New Zealand apart, forwards in Test matches were selected primarily for their all-round skills - there were no fixed position in the early days.

The first forwards up for a scrum were the first to pack down, although by the early 1900s there was usually one player specifically chosen to hook and one to act as a wing forward. There is evidence that early Australian and French packs experimented with fixed places for their players under the 3-2-3 formation, but it wasn't until 1923 that Wavell Wakefield, as pack leader, allocated fixed positions to England's forwards. Two were devolved to prop up their hooker, while two formed the second-row. Behind them was a back-row of two wing-forwards either side of a middle man who was then called the lock or lock-forward - the position from which the No 8 has evolved. England won the Grand Slam that year and specialism became the norm in the Home Unions. Meanwhile in South Africa, Oubaas Markötter of the famous Stellenbosch club developed the 3-4-1 pack formation to curb a fly-half named Bennie Osler, who was the master kicker and tactician for their great rivals at the University of Cape Town.

Markötter's new scrum was essentially the 3-2-3 scheme but with the wing-forwards from the back-row flanking the second-row instead - and therefore closer to the fly-half. That helped to address the Osler problem, but other advantages of the formation became apparent. With only one man at the back, the ball was heeled from the scrum more quickly, while the opposing scrum-half and loose forwards found it harder to disrupt possession. In addition, the inward push from the flankers at the scrum channelled considerable drive through their props and put extra pressure on the opposition hooker. All South Africa embraced the 3-4-1 scrum and by 1928 it was the preferred formation for the Springboks in their home series with the All Blacks. In the first Test their scrum was a revelation to the New Zealanders, who were demolished 17-0. It wasn't until a few years later, however, that modern back-row play evolved. Markötter considered how to make the best use of a gifted Stellenbosch threequarter named André McDonald, who was not fast enough for a back and not big enough for a forward.

McDonald was moved to the solo position at the back of the scrum where he inter-played with his scrum-half in attack and was deployed as a shadow flanker in defence. So the prototype for the No.8 evolved in South Africa as a much looser player than his forerunner, the lock. South Africa still sought strong forwards who could push from the back of the scrum, but attacking and defensive duties for which the prime attribute was mobility became part of the job description. The Springboks toured Britain/Ireland in 1931-32, demonstrating the new scrum formation and back-row tactics to the Home Unions, and in 1933 Australia saw them for the first time when they were beaten in a series in South Africa. By the time war broke out in 1939, most of the world's rugby-playing nations had bowed to Springbok supremacy, adopting the 3-4-1 pack and refining back-row tactics. The main dissenters were the Scots, who persisted with the old 3-2-3 system until the mid 1950s. b) When was the term No.8 first used?

It was not until the 1940s that the expression No.8 became recognised worldwide as part of rugby's lexicon. Finding a common name for the sole player at the back of the 3-4-1 scrum seems to have taken some time. In the Home Unions he was still referred to as the lock or lock-forward, as he had been in the 3-2-3 system. Australian reports of the 1937 Tests against the Springboks refer to the position as anchor-man or solo-lock. South Africans called him the eighthman (as many of the old-timers out there still do), in New Zealand he was usually the back-row or back-row forward and to the French he was le troisième ligne centre. Numbering of players in Tests was a haphazard affair until the 1960s. In the Five Nations, some teams numbered from 1 to 15 from the back, starting with the fullback and finishing with a flanker (so that the back-row man was number 14). France and Ireland often numbered in reverse starting from the front-row, making the middle-man of the loose trio number 7.

Wales even used letters throughout the 30s and 40s making him letter N! Players on tour were numbered 1 to 30 and kept their allocated numbers for Tests. Old Test programmes show that the earliest efforts to number the back-row man with jersey eight were in New Zealand's South Island during the 1930s. For NZ v Australia at Dunedin in 1936 and NZ v SA at Christchurch in 1937 the All Blacks' back-row man wore this number. Abbreviating the South African term eighthman to No.8 originated there and the noted New Zealand rugby historian, Arthur Swan, was among the first to refer to him in print as the "number-eight". When post-war Tests resumed in 1946, New Zealand led the way in regularly numbering their back-row man in the eight jersey. Curiously, South Africa's Hennie Muller, who played Test rugby between 1949 and 1953 and was universally hailed as the definitive eighthman of his day, never wore an eight shirt in a Test, although by 1951 the British press were referring to him as the team's No 8.

It was not until the 1960s that the shirt number universally matched its position's name in Test matches. Rugby Positions Explained: Forwards | iSport.com Rugby Positions Explained: Forwards Rugby Positions Explained: Forwards There are essentially two groups of players on each side of a rugby match: The Forwards and the Backs . Many comparisons have been made about the different characteristics of these two groups, ranging in nature from mostly objective observations (forwards are big; backs are fast) to more subjective associations (forwards are meatheads with very limited ball-handling skills; backs are dainty creatures who don’t like to get their uniforms dirty). Although the subjective comparisons are usually humorous and an excellent source of debate, this explanation of the different rugby positions – including various names and responsibilities inherent in each – will strive for an objective tone, in the hopes that doing so will make it easier to understand the identity of each position. This guide will feature information about the various Forwards positions in rugby. For information on the Backs positions, please go to the Rugby Positions Explained: Backs guide.

Life in the Pack The forwards of a team wear jerseys numbered 1 through 8 in Union, and 8 through 13 in League. Forwards are the bigger of the two groups of players; the collective group of forwards is also referred to as the ‘pack,’ which is primarily involved in the scrums, rucks, mauls and line-outs of a match. Though the majority of the ball-carrying is done by the backs, sometimes forwards are used to punch the ball straight ahead short distances. In these instances, the forward is expected to charge straight ahead, either running over people or carrying them as long as possible. It’s not unusual to see forwards carry the ball close to the try line, as they can usually keep running after the first hit or two by opposing players. Whoso would be a man, must be a non-conformist, and preferably play in the pack.

Ralph Waldo Emerson 19th Century American Author & Philosopher Here is a list of the assorted forward positions, including the responsibilities for each and different jersey numbers/names with which they’re associated, depending on the code of rugby: Props Prop s wear numbers 1 &3 in Union rugby, and 8 & 10 in League rugby. There are two props in a pack, called loosehead (left prop) and tighthead (right prop). The two names refer to the side of the scrum on which they reside, and more specifically how they align with the opposing team’s pack during a scrum. The left prop is called 'loosehead' because that player only meets up with the other team’s prop during a scrum, meaning that player's head is unbound on both sides, and loose. The right prop is called 'tighthead' because that player’s head is between the prop and hooker of the other team, making for a tighter fit. Both sides demand enormous strength and attention to technique.

However, the tighthead position is seen as the more difficult and important of the two because of the fact that the tighthead prop has to deal with the opposition pushing from two sides, compared to the loosehead prop having only one player to push against. Regardless of which side a prop occupies, they’re almost always the heaviest and strongest of the forwards. Along with the hooker – who is less concerned with pushing, and more concerned with raking the ball back after a put in – the props are the front of the pack, and must provide the strongest force of resistance to the other team’s pack during a scrum. They are also critical in both winning and supporting rucks and mauls, and play important parts during a line-out by either lifting a jumper or binding on to the ball carrier. Hooker The Hooker wears number 2 in Union, and number 9 in League. Regardless of the association to a certain ‘profession’, the position of Hooker gets its name from the primary responsibility of that player during a scrum, namely ‘hooking’ the ball back with a foot after it’s been rolled in.

Still of a decent size (but not nearly as big as the props), the hooker resides between both props, and is supported by the props by tightly binding on with them to the point that the hooker is able to free up one foot for raking the ball. Because the props on either side of the hooker will need both feet on the ground to push as much as possible, by raking the ball backwards the hooker is the first player with a chance to secure possession of the ball during a scrum. The hooker is also the player responsible for throwing the ball in during a line-out. Along with helping on rucks and mauls, the hooker usually dictates the movement of the forwards during a match, setting up a short run by another forward or instructing other forwards on where to position themselves when on defense. In rugby League, the hooker is also commonly responsible for acting as the ‘Dummy-half’, which refers to the person that passes the ball out after the ball carrier has been tackled. Locks There are two Lock s in a pack, with no difference inherent to their position in, or responsibilities during, the scrum.

Locks wear numbers 4 & 5 in Union, and 11 & 12 in League. They support the props and hooker during a scrum, both by binding on underneath and keeping the front row (props and hooker) tight, and by providing additional pushing strength. They are often the tallest players on the team, and will do the majority of the jumping during a line-out. Locks are also considered to be better ball carriers than most of the other forwards. Like all other forwards, they are involved in most of the rucks and mauls that take place during a game. As both locks make up the second row of a pack, the position itself is also commonly referred to as ‘second row’, and in rugby League these players are known as ‘Second-row Forwards’. Flankers There are two Flanker s in the pack that wear numbers 6 & 7, but the flanker position only exists in Union rugby. Much like locks, there are two flankers in a pack. Unlike locks, however, there are two different names for the flankers, 'Blindside' and 'Openside,' depending on which side of the scrum they’re located.

The blindside flanker will support whichever lock is positioned closest to the nearest touch-line (also known as the blind side of the pitch) by binding on at the side. The openside flanker does the same thing from the lock closest to the open side of the pitch (the side furthest from the touch line). Both flankers should be taller/bigger players, capable of moving with some speed yet maintaining a high level of physicality. No forward is allowed to disengage from the scrum until the ball is called out (except the eight man in some instances). So because the flankers are located on either side of the pack, they’re usually the first forwards to engage in play (along with the eight man). Depending on which side won the scrum, the flanker will usually either make a play on the opposing team’s scrum half – the first player on the other team to play the ball from a scrum – or act as a passing option from the scrum half on their team if they won the scrum. For the same reasons, flankers are expected to be the first players to go after the ball when it’s loose or turned over.

Either way, flankers are sometimes a temporary connection between forwards and backs, as they often are involved with both groups during a match. The exception to this characteristic concerns League teams, as the flanker positions don’t exist in the League code of rugby. Eight Man The Eight Man is the forward located at the very rear of the pack, and occupies the spot where the scrum half picks up the ball from a scrum. In Union rugby, the eight man is also referred to as the No. 8, as that's the number worn by the eight man; in League it's number 13. The normal eight man is similar to a lock in terms of physical size, though the eight man wants to be slightly faster than the locks, instead of slightly stronger. The eight man supports the locks by binding on with them from behind, providing extra stability and a platform from which the locks can drive forward. The eight man also drives, but is less concerned with pushing and more concerned with securing the ball to make it easy for the scrum half to pick it up. Along with the locks and hooker, the eight man is a regular fixture in rucks and mauls, and is sometimes an additional jumper in line-outs.

In rugby League, the equivalent of the eight man is called the loose forward, and is both located and responsible for the same things as an eight man. The Pack: Eight handsome burly guys whom you'd want to marry your daughter. They are intelligent, elegant, sensitive and sweet. Truly the ideal men. Anonymous The most unique quality of the position is that the eight man is allowed to disengage from the scrum and pick up the ball, much like the scrum half does, though the scrum half is never considered part of the scrum. This player effectively transfers from being a part of the scrum to the player that restarts play outside of it. Because of this allowance, the eight man is sometimes included in the back-line schemes to run with the ball. Forwards Sub-categories The pack (forwards), aside from being broken up into individual positions, is also sub-categorized according to the players’ locations in the scrum, and their overall responsibilities: Front Row (Union and League): The Front Row consists of both props and the hooker, who all make up the first line of players on each team in a scrum.

Tight Five (Union only): The Tight Five are composed of the front row (props and hooker) and both locks, or the second row. They’re referred to as the tight five because all five of these players bind together tightly before a scrum, compared to the flankers and eight man who are also attached, but not as tightly. Loose Forwards (Union only): Though ‘loose forward’ is an actual position in the League code of rugby, in Union the term Loose Forwards refers to the flankers and eight man, as they are not as tightly fixed to the rest of the pack (tight five) during a scrum. Back Row (League only): In League, the Back Row consists of both second row forwards and the loose forward; it’s common for players in these positions to be referred to as ‘back rowers.’ Staying Strong It is the responsibility of the forwards to handle the vast majority of physical play during the course of the match. Forwards must attack any stoppage of play, either to retain possession of the ball for their team, or to try and take it away from the other team.

While the backs score most of the points in a match, it is often due to the work of the forwards that the opportunity to score points even exists. Share this Guide: 5 Ways to Know Positions and Basics of Rugby - wikiHow Forward Positions 1 A rugby team is comprised of 15 players, which are divided into forwards and backs. One of the easiest ways to identify a forward from a back is by their number; it indicates their position. The forwards are also the stronger ones on the team and are responsible for getting mauls, rucks, and comprising the scrum. The forwards wear numbers one through eight and the backs wear nine through fifteen 2 Numbers one and three are called “props”; they are usually the biggest and/or strongest ones on the team. A prop’s role is to “prop” up the number two position, which is called a “hooker”. 3 A hooker is usually one of the smaller players and their job is to “hook the ball” back for the scrum-half during a scrum. 4 Numbers four and five are “second rows” and are usually the taller ones on the team. Second rows go behind the front three during a scrum and provide support.

5 Numbers six and seven are called “flankers” and they attach to the scrum next to the second rows. They help drive the scrum forward when it is in motion. They are also usually the first ones out of the scrum and are the faster forwards. 6 The number eight position is called “eight man” and that player is allowed to act as the scrum-half and get the ball when the offense is winning the scrum. Method Back Position 1 Number nine is the “scrum-half”. The scrum-half is generally the fastest player on the team. They are responsible for getting the ball out of the scrum once it has reached the back of it and also putting the ball in once a scrum has been called. 2 Number ten is called the “fly-half” and they are usually the ones who do the kicking if the ball is in a certain area. 3 Numbers eleven and fourteen are “wings” and they are exceptionally fast. During kick-offs, they usually receive the ball and they do most of the scoring. 4 Numbers twelve and thirteen are “centres”. The centres are involved in most of the back line passing and are also very fast.

5 The last position, number fifteen, is called the “full back”. The full back is behind the defense and near the back of the field. They are usually the ones who catch the ball when the other team’s fly-half has kicked it during play. To see a photo of rugby positions in relation to the field, use the following link: [ [1] ] Method Commonly Used Terms 1 Maul = when the ball carrier is tackled, but not brought to the ground. Members of both teams may join to try to pry the ball out and bring it back into play. If it is held up for a period of time, a scrum is called. 2 Ruck= when the ball carrier is tackled and brought to the ground. Members of both teams may join. Hands are not allowed to get the ball out, only feet. The ball may be picked up when it is out of the ruck. 3 Scrum = occurs after a minor penalty has occurred. Both teams of forwards comprise the scrum and try to regain possession of the ball. 4 Line Out = occurs when the ball is either kicked, thrown, or a player is tackled and the ball goes out of bounds.

Method Rules, Regulations, and Gameplay 1 The rules and regulations of rugby may be confusing. A regulation rugby match lasts 80 minutes with a 5-minute halftime. Injury time is also added on to the clock when necessary. Since it is not native to the U.S., the field measurements are metric. 2 The game begins when the “sir” (referee) blows the whistle. Similar to football, there is a kicking and receiving team at the beginning of each half. 3 Once the ball has been kicked and received by the offensive team, play will begin. Once the ball is in play, it may be passed or kicked to other members of the team; however, kicking is usually only used when the ball is on the ground or to advance on the field. 4 Unlike football, the ball can not be passed forwards; only backwards. 5 The backs do most of the ball handling, as they are the faster ones on the team. Likewise, the forwards do most of the tackling, as they are the stronger or bigger ones on the team. Method Penalty Plays 1 A scrum is called when something occurs within a ruck or maul, or it is offside.

The scrum-half of the team the penalty was not called on puts the ball in the scrum once it is in formation. Once the ball is put in, the hookers from both sides use their feet to try to hook the ball back for their team to get possession of the ball. Once it reaches the eight-man, the scrum-half or eight-man may pick up the ball and resume play. However, if the ball goes out of bounds, a line out occurs. 2 Usually the hooker is the one that throws the ball in from the touchline. The pods vary in size (there may be only one or multiple) and the offensive team chooses how many they wish to do; the defensive team has to match. During a line out, the hooker (or whoever throws the ball) calls the play and the specific pod, comprised of two lifters and a jumper, will jump up to try to knock the ball down to their team’s side. Once the ball is knocked down, the game resumes as normal. Community Q&A If this question (or a similar one) is answered twice in this section, please click here to let us know.

Video Tips Don't be afraid to ask someone how to do something; it's confusing at first and people will be willing to explain it. Although playing is the best way to learn how to play, watching a few games to get a better understanding of it may help. Wearing a scrum cap and/or a gumshield is advised when playing Rugby. It keeps you safe and no one should feel daft or embarrassed when wearing any protective gear. You'll find that wearing a mouth guard in rugby is mandatory in most games. Warnings Rugby IS a fast-paced and hard-hitting sport. Injuries are likely to occur, even with proper playing skills. Things You'll Need To Play Rugby ball Rugby field Cleats (Soccer cleats are fine, but avoid those that have studs/blades in the toe section due to regulation reasons) Mouthguard (Optional though recommended) Rugby Positions | LineoutCoach.com Key Partners Rugby Positions Rugby positions each have a specific role to play. Different physical attributes are required, although strength and speed are key across the team. Most players will specialise in one or two positions which uses their skills and size to best advantage.

The 15 players for each team are on the pitch at all times and play both attacking and defending roles unlike American Football which has offence, defence and special teams that alternate depending on possession. The team is divided into two packs, the Forwards (8 players) and Backs (7 players) and they can stand in any position on the field of play as long as they remain onside. The exception is set piece plays when rugby rules stipulate where each player should be in relation to the ball and opposition. The players wear rugby jerseys with the numbers 1-15 on the back. The number stays with the rugby positions and not the player as it can do in other sports so the hooker is always number 2 for example. The numbers were introduced in 1920s as a way for coaches to rate the players. Teams can call on substitute players with team numbers (16-23) to cover rugby positions where players are injured, tired or as impact players to turn a match around or close down an opposing team in a close game. Rugby Positions Explained A basic understanding of the rugby positions and the skills of each player will help you enjoy the sport more and appreciate the tactics of the game.

Rugby positions names Some of the names for the 15 rugby positions have changed over the years and some have different names in other countries. The IRB use terms favoured by northern hemisphere countries. Variations to these include: Flanker – wing forwards Outside centre – centre three-quarter, centre Wing – wing three-quarter Fly-half – outside half, stand-off half, out half, first five-eighth Scrum-half – half-back Number 8 – 8 man Rugby Positions: Forwards Rugby positions numbers 1-8 on the field are called the Forward pack. They are involved in all the set piece plays and contest the lineouts and scrums. Larger and more powerful than the Backs, they aim to win or retain the ball and drive the team up the field and in that respect are similar to linebackers or linesman in American Football.

Rugby Positions: Front Row Supports hooker in the scrum Lifts jumpers in the lineout Key power at rucks and mauls for retaining ball 2 Hooker Middle of the front row of the scrum Responsible for winning the ball Throws ball at lineouts Rugby positions: Second row (loose forwards/loosies) 4 Lock or lock forward 5 Lock or lock forward Tallest on the field Bind in the scrum and drive forward Rugby positions: Back Row At the back of the scrum Aim to win ball through turnovers 8 Number Eight Link between the forward pack and backs Controls ball at back of scrum before attack begins Rugby Positions: Backs Rugby positions numbers 9-15 are called the Backs. They tend to be smaller than their Foward brothers as they need speed and agility to run the ball into space or kick for goal. They have to maximise the possession and get points on the board so would be similar to running backs or wide receivers in American Football.

Rugby positions: Half-backs Links between forwards and backs Feeds ball into scrum Collects ball from the back 10 Fly-half Directs play on the pitch Good decision maker and communicator Commonly the goal kicker Good reader of the game Direct attacks Score tries and finish plays Fast and agile Powerful enough to break tackles 15 Full Back

Question: In rugby union, which position wears the number 2 jersey?
Answer: Hooker