What is Rugby?
Introduction to Rugby History While playing soccer at Rugby School of England in 1823, William Webb Ellis picked up the ball in his hands and ran with it. This sparked an interest, leading to the creation of rugby. Cambridge University immediately adopted the game, popularized it and made local rules. The game grew popular at area schools and in 1871, ten years after the common rules of soccer were set, the first Rugby Union was founded in London and firm rules of the game were established. In 1895 rugby clubs in northern England called for compensation of lost wages for players. The Rugby League was founded as a result and a 13-player game with altered rules were created for professionals. Rugby spread across the globe and competition emerged between countries. In the United States, the game emerged primarily on the West Coast. The lack of precise rules, ambiguities in the game and complexity of the sport drew a lot of United States players away from the game and major changes were in
The second most popular team sport in the world (played in more than 110 countries), rugby is a fast-paced, ball-handling game. Running, kicking, passing, catching and tackling are prominent, and all rugby players handle the ball. Is Rugby Dangerous? Rugby is no more dangerous than any other similar contact sport, such as lacrosse. In fact, injury rates and insurance costs are comparable to soccer, Rugbys father sport, and lacrosse. Contrary to many collision sports that involve equipment and padding (i.e. football and hockey) many rugby players enjoy careers lasting into their 40s and longer. Do I Have To Be Big To Play Rugby? An empathic NO! Rugby is every persons game. Because of the variety of positions and skills demanded in the game, athletes of all shapes and sizes can find a position. From the small, quick and wily scrumhalf, to the rugged prop, to the towering second row player, theres a position for all athletes. Who Plays Rugby? You may be surprised to find out! Many clubs h
There are two types of rugby: league and union. Rules and regulations vary widely between the two types of rugby, and each division has its own games and championships. Rugby union football is what is most commonly known as simply “rugby,” and the one covered in this article. Rugby is played between two teams of either 13 or 15 players, although teams of seven are accepted in a division known as “rugby sevens.” In all cases, rugby games last eighty minutes, split in half by a break of ten. Rugby is more similar to American football than to soccer, although players in rugby are allowed to kick the ball at any time during the game and not only for penalty or goal kicks. Rugby is a full-contact sport played without padded uniforms or head protection, which means players are more prone to accidents and injuries than in other similar sports. Although there are strict rules as to what can be done physically when blocking other players, injuries still happen. Fingerless gloves are acceptable,
Are rugby players, crazy? Not really. They simply love physical competition and having fun. Ruggers play because they love the game and enjoy the camaraderie. To newcomers, rugby might appear to be a free-for-all, but with a little understanding of the game, you will begin to see why so many people love it. Legend has it that rugby began in November 1823 at Rugby School in England, when during a soccer match, William Webb Ellis picked up and ran with the ball. Truth or legend, there is a stone on the school grounds that commemorates the event and the game does bear the school’s name. Today, rugby is played in over 100 countries, by men and women of every race and creed, and by everyone from five to well over 50. The Object If you are reasonably familiar with American Football you can follow rugby football. There are two teams of fifteen players each – observing fair play according to the Laws and a sporting spirit – that carry, pass, kick and ground the ball to score as many points as
