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RUGBY 101: Football’s ‘cousin’ takes hold in Northland
AN UNFAMILIAR GAME STARTS TO ATTRACT A LOCAL AUDIENCE
By Kevin Goodwin
It’s a game often referred to as the father of American football. It attracts thousands of players each year because of its non-stop action and raw, aggressive nature. And it’s becoming a popular sport in the Northland.
Rugby, with its addictive blend of running, passing, tackling and kicking, has gained a foothold north of the river. In this week’s Sun Tribune Newspapers, we’ll examine the game and why it is gaining popularity.
The modern version of the sport was created in England in the early 1820s. Many schools played a version of rugby or football at that time, which had few rules. Legend has it that William Webb Ellis invented the current game when he picked up the ball and ran with it in his hands. It’s the most accepted version of how the game came to be.
There are striking differences between rugby and American football. Rugby is usually played on a field that is 110 yards long and 75 yards wide, and consists of two 40-minute halves.
There are 15 players on each side, and all of them must be able to run, pass, kick and catch the ball. In rugby, each team’s players are numbered the exact same way. Players numbered 1 through 8 are forwards, and they are generally larger and stronger, like American football linebackers. Their goal is to gain possession of the ball.
Players numbers 9 through 15 are backs, who are generally smaller and more agile. They are like American running backs and wide receivers.
There are only five substitutions per game allowed for each team, so despite the size differences, each player must be able to tackle and defend the goal at any time.
In rugby, there are three main ways to move the ball.
Players can run with the ball until they are tackled, step out of bounds, or run beyond the goal line for a score.
The ball may be passed to any player, however, it can only be passed laterally or backward.
The ball may be kicked forward at any time, but once the ball is kicked, players from either team can get possession. Players generally kick the ball to a teammate or try to advance to the other team to get out of poor field position.
There is one thing in common between rugby and American football — the team with the most points wins.
There are four ways for a team to score points. A try is worth five points and occurs when a team touches the ball down in the opposing team’s in-goal area. It’s like a touchdown in American football. A conversion follows a try, and if it’s a successful kick through the goal posts it’s worth two points.
A penalty kick is worth three points and comes after a major penalty. If a
team is in range, it can opt to “kick for points”. The kick must be taken from the point of the foul, and the ball can be played live if the kick fails.
A drop-kick goal is worth three points, and it’s basically a drop kick that can be taken from anywhere on the field any time during play. The ball is alive if the kick fails.
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Rugby, with its addictive blend of running, passing, tackling and kicking, has gained a foothold north of the river. In this week’s Sun Tribune Newspapers, we’ll examine the game and why it is gaining popularity.
The modern version of the sport was created in England in the early 1820s. Many schools played a version of rugby or football at that time, which had few rules. Legend has it that William Webb Ellis invented the current game when he picked up the ball and ran with it in his hands. It’s the most accepted version of how the game came to be.
There are striking differences between rugby and American football. Rugby is usually played on a field that is 110 yards long and 75 yards wide, and consists of two 40-minute halves.
There are 15 players on each side, and all of them must be able to run, pass, kick and catch the ball. In rugby, each team’s players are numbered the exact same way. Players numbered 1 through 8 are forwards, and they are generally larger and stronger, like American football linebackers. Their goal is to gain possession of the ball.
Players numbers 9 through 15 are backs, who are generally smaller and more agile. They are like American running backs and wide receivers.
There are only five substitutions per game allowed for each team, so despite the size differences, each player must be able to tackle and defend the goal at any time.
In rugby, there are three main ways to move the ball.
Players can run with the ball until they are tackled, step out of bounds, or run beyond the goal line for a score.
The ball may be passed to any player, however, it can only be passed laterally or backward.
The ball may be kicked forward at any time, but once the ball is kicked, players from either team can get possession. Players generally kick the ball to a teammate or try to advance to the other team to get out of poor field position.
There is one thing in common between rugby and American football — the team with the most points wins.
There are four ways for a team to score points. A try is worth five points and occurs when a team touches the ball down in the opposing team’s in-goal area. It’s like a touchdown in American football. A conversion follows a try, and if it’s a successful kick through the goal posts it’s worth two points.
A penalty kick is worth three points and comes after a major penalty. If a
team is in range, it can opt to “kick for points”. The kick must be taken from the point of the foul, and the ball can be played live if the kick fails.
A drop-kick goal is worth three points, and it’s basically a drop kick that can be taken from anywhere on the field any time during play. The ball is alive if the kick fails.