TOUCH RUGBY

Here you will find the adapted version of rugby. For safety concerns , Touch Rugby will be used . Included in this unit will be rules, terminology , skills , drills and lead up activities.
Introduction to Rugby
The objective of the game is to gain more points than the opposing team within the allotted time of play. A tie is called if the scores are equal at the end of play. A try is scored when a player places the ball in the opposition's goal area. It is counted as 5 points and can be converted to an additional 2 points with a successful place kick made from a line perpendicular to the point at which the ball was scored. A goal can also be scored through a penalty with a free kick or a drop kick from the field of play. A goal counts as 3 points.
Rugby is a game in which the prime objective is to ground the ball across the goal line to score a try. In order to do this, a team's players must have possession of the ball. Their opponent's objective is to prevent them from scoring a try. During the game, contests for possession occupy a large amount of time.
Once possession of the ball has been gained the team with it may use it to score a try in the following ways. run with the ball towards the goal line avoiding defenders pass the ball among team mates in a better position than themselves to assist in avoiding defenders kick the ball towards the goal line, regain it and carry it over the goal line kick the ball over the goal line and ground it .
The aim of these actions is to score points by: a "try" - grounding the ball over the goal line - 5 points a "conversion" - converting the try to a goal by kicking the ball over the goalposts - 2 points a "field goal" - drop kicking the ball over the goalposts from the field of play - 3 points a "penalty" - place kicking or drop kicking the ball over the goalposts when a penalty has been awarded following an infringement by the opposing team - 3 points .
Defending The team that is without possession of the ball has the task of: preventing the team in possession from moving the ball down the field preventing the opposing team from scoring regaining possession of the ball This is achieved by: touching/ripping the ball carrier "snaffling" the loose ball away from the ball carrier forcing the ball carrier over the touchline or forcing the ball carrier to kick the ball over the touchline
This gives the team the chance to regain the ball at the lineout that follows "pressuring" the ball carrier and supporting team mates into errors and minor infringements that result in which the ball may be regained by "fielding" the ball kicked by opponents - to either catch it or pick it up if it is on the ground .
Set Plays
Set plays are used to start and restart the game when stoppages occur. These are: Kick-offs
Kick-offs are taken from the center of the halfway line: to start the game and to restart play after half-time - a place kick to restart play after a team has been scored - a drop kick When the ball is kicked off it must travel beyond the 10 metre line unless it is first played by an opponent. No player of the kicking team may be in front of the ball when the kick is being taken. The ball must not be kicked over the touch line . Dropouts
Dropouts are always drop kicks . They are taken from behind the 22 metre line and the ball must reach the 22 metre line or pass beyond it after the attacking team has: kicked the ball over the goal line where it is grounded by a defending player kicked the ball over the dead ball line or into touch in goal No player of the kicking team may be in front of the ball when the kick is being taken
Lineouts are formed to restart play after the ball has gone over the touch line or has been carried over it. Penalty Kicks / Free Kicks
Penalty kicks and free kicks are taken to restart play when one team has infringed the Law. Free kicks are taken to restart play after a "fair catch" has been claimed. A fair catch or "mark" occurs when the ball has been kicked by an opponent and it is caught within the 22 metre line, the catcher calling "mark".
Positioning
Attacking and defending players must place themselves in the correct positions on the field. Position simply means players being where they are best able to perform their positional roles o there are two kinds of positioning: static positioning - where to be before the action starts dynamic positioning - where to go and what to do when the action starts
Rugby is a game that balances the contest for the ball with continuing play. As a result it is a game in which players of a variety of abilities assist each other to stop the opposition from scoring points, to get the ball back and to score points themselves.
The aim of an attack is to carry the ball down the field to score points or to create a points scoring opportunity. To do this effectively ball carriers must at all times be supported by team mates ready to receive a pass or assist the ball carrier in some other way.

Rugby field

TERMINOLOGY

• Advantage is that property or part of play, which gives one team the potential to improve its position to score relative to the other team.
• Attacking Team is the team, which has possession or is gaining possession of the ball.
• Attacking Scoreline is the line on or over which a team has to place the ball to score a touchdown.
• Behind means in a position or direction towards a team's defending scoreline.
• Dead Ball means when the ball is out of play and includes the period following a touch until the ball is brought back into play at a
• Rollball, the period following a touchdown or penalty, until the match is recommenced, and when the ball goes to ground and/or outside the boundaries of the field of play.
• Defending Scoreline is the line, which a team has to defend to prevent a touchdown.
• Defending Team is the team without possession of the ball.
• Deliver means to part with the ball.
• The Half is the player who takes possession of the ball behind the player who performs the Rollball.
• Field of Play is the playing area bounded by the sidelines and Touchdown Zone lines, both of which are out of bounds.
• Forward means in a position or direction towards a team's own attacking scoreline.
• Full Time occurs at the expiration of the normal
• Interchange Area is a rectangle measuring twenty (20) metres long by no more than five (5) metres wide, marked on both sides of the field, extending ten (10) metres either side of the half way line and being one (1) metre from the sideline.
• Mark (For a Touch) is the position where the attacking player in possession of the ball is at the time of the touch.
• Mark (For a Tap) is the center of the halfway line for the commencement or recommencement of play, or the position where a tap is awarded as a result of an infringement.
• Offside means in a position forward of the ball for an attacking player and in a position liable to penalty for a defending player.
• Onside means in a position whereby a player may legitimately become involved with play.
• Penalty is the action by the referee in awarding a tap when a player or team infringes the rules of the game.
• Rebound occurs when the ball deflects from or makes contact with a player other than the player who first had possession.
• Rollball is the normal act of bringing the ball into play following a touch or a change of possession.
• Scorelines are the lines separating the Touchdown Zone from the field of play.
• Sidelines are the side boundaries of the field of play.
• Tap is the method of commencing the match, recommencing the match after half time and after a touchdown has been scored. It is also a method of recommencing play when a penalty is awarded.
• Touch is contact on any part of the body between a player in possession of the ball and a defending player. A touch includes contact on the ball, hair or clothing and may be made by a defending player or by the player in possession.
• Touchdown is the result of an attacking player, except the half, placing the ball on or over the team's attacking scoreline.
• Touchdown Zone is the area bounded by the sideline, scoreline and Touchdown Zone Line.
• Touchdown Zone Line is the line joining the sidelines extending no less than five (5) metres and not more than ten (10) metres past the scoreline.

PLAYER NOTES
• If a player places the ball on the ground and releases it short of the scoreline, while attempting to score a touchdown, a touch is counted and the player is required to Rollball to restart play at the position of contact with the ground. However a touchdown results if an untouched player (other than the half) slides the ball along the ground to or beyond the scoreline. If a player does not release the ball from their hands, no touch is counted and the match continues.
• If in attempting to score, a player either makes contact with the corner marker or crosses the extended sideline, no touchdown is awarded and the match is recommenced by the opposition with a Rollball five (5) metres from the scoreline and five (5) metres in from the sideline.
  
• Recommencement of Play. Attacking Team. The attacking team is to start the match with a tap at the centre of the halfway line following the indication to commence play from the referee. All players of the attacking team are to remain in an onside position until the ball has been tapped
• Method. The tap is taken by placing the ball on the ground at or behind the mark, releasing both hands from the ball, tapping the ball with either foot a distance of not more than one (1) metre, and retrieving the ball cleanly. Any player of the attacking team may take the tap. Any onside player of the attacking team may retrieve the ball once the tap has been taken.
  
• POSSESSION Changeover Procedure. Following the sixth touch or the loss of possession due to any other means, players of the team losing possession are to hand, or pass the ball to the nearest opposition player, or place the ball on the ground at the mark without delay. Attacking players who request the ball are to be given the ball. Players are not to delay the changeover procedure.
  Ball to Ground. If the ball is dropped to the ground a change of possession results. The mark for a change of possession is where the ball first pitches or where the attacking player dropped or passed the ball, whichever is of greater advantage to the team gaining possession
• Mishandled Ball. If a player mishandles the ball and providing the ball does not go to ground, play is to continue Should a touch be effected on a player in possession while the ball may not be physically in the hands (e.g. while juggling or trying to maintain control), the touch is to count.
• Players may intercept behind the defending scoreline. If a player in possession is touched or effects a touch whilst on or behind their defending scoreline the touch counts and play is restarted with a Rollball five (5) metres forward of the scoreline from where the player was touched.
• A player who, in attempting to control the ball, juggles or knocks the ball forward, is not to be penalised, provided the player regathers the ball. Forward passes are to be penalized even if the ball goes to ground or if it is the last touch.
  

  ROLL BALL
  

  When Required. A player is to perform a Rollball under the following circumstances:
  1. When a touch has been effected;
  2. When possession changes due to the sixth touch;
  3. When possession changes due to the ball going to ground;
  4. When possession changes due to an infringement by an attacking player at a penalty or a tap;
  5. When possession changes when the half is touched (or places the ball on or over the scoreline) whilst in possession of the ball;
  6. When possession changes due to a player in possession of the ball running across the sideline.

THE TOUCH/RIP

RULES
• Players of both defending and attacking teams are to use the minimum force necessary to effect touches.
• Ball knocked from Hands. If the ball is knocked from the hands of a player in possession during a touch, the touch counts and the player retains possession, and they are required to perform the Rollball. The touch count continues, unless it is the sixth (6th) touch.
• After a touch has been effected, the player in possession is required to stop, return to the mark where the touch occurred if the mark has been over-run, and perform a Rollball without delay.
• A player must not claim or otherwise call for a touch unless a touch has actually been effected.
• On the rare occasion a player places the ball on the ground on or over the scoreline at the same time a touch is effected, the touch counts and a touchdown is not awarded.
• If a touch is effected on or over the scoreline before the ball is grounded, no touchdown results. The player in possession is to move from that point to a position five (5) metres from the scoreline to Rollball, provided it is not the sixth (6th) touch.
• A player who is touched while in the act of passing should attempt to refrain from releasing the ball.
• A Player should be instructed to regather the ball if it is knocked or dropped to the ground during or following a touch. However, players who attempt to delay play by such deliberate acts are to be penalized

BALL ON OR OVER SIDELINE/SCORELINE
• The ball becomes dead when it or a player in possession touches or crosses the sideline and a change of possession results. However if a player in possession is touched prior to crossing the sideline, then the touch counts and play continues with a Rollball at the mark where the touch occurred.
• If a player in possession of the ball is touched after crossing the attacking scoreline and prior to the scoring of a touchdown, the touch counts. Play is restarted with a Rollball five (5) metres infield from where the player in possession crossed the scoreline.
• Ball on or behind Defending Scoreline. If a player in possession of the ball is touched whilst on or behind their defending scoreline, the touch counts and play is restarted with a Rollball five (5) metres infield from where the player in possession was touched.

BALL TOUCHED IN FLIGHT
• If the ball goes to ground following a defender's attempt to gain possession, the attacking team retains the ball and the touch count restarts. This also applies if the defending player deliberately knocks the ball to the ground. The mark where the Rollball occurs is where the ball first pitches or where the defender touched the ball, whichever is of best advantage to the attacking team.
• Intentional Contact and Touched again by Attacker. If an attacking player attempts to gather the ball after a deflection by a defender and the ball goes to ground, the attacking team retains possession.
• If the ball rebounds from a defending player who has not made an attempt to retrieve the ball and the ball is regained by an attacking player, play on and the touch count continues.

OFFSIDE
A player in the attacking team is offside when that player is forward of the player who has possession or who last had possession. In general play, offside attacking players who interfere with play should be penalized.

PENALTY
The mark for a penalty is normally at the location of the infringement unless otherwise detailed in specific rules. For infringements which occur on the boundaries, within five (5) metres of the defending scoreline or outside the field of play, the location of a tap from a penalty is to be five (5) metres infield (or on the five metre line) from where the infringement occurred. The ball does not have to be lifted from the ground for the tap. However, the ball must be at or behind the correct mark prior to the tap being taken.
A player may take the ball back behind the mark up to a maximum distance of ten (10) metres behind the mark for a tap to allow room to execute a move. In such cases the defending players must remain not closer than ten (10) metres .

BALL HANDLING SKILLS

Catching/passing the ball
• Keep eyes on ball all the time
• Extend arms , hands and fingers to receive
• Use both hands to catch wnenever possible
• Keep the ball off or away from the chect when receiving -only bring it to the chest taking contact
• Be prepared to receive a pass at any time
• Use both hands, the ball is passed in an underhand motion(shoveling)and should arrive in the receiver's hands upright and solid
• High ball catch- move to get under the ball. hands and arms up,keep body sideways with awide stance. Catch with fingertips but cradle down into the arms.Turn back to opposition to protect the ball.

PASSING SKILLS
• Passer should always turn his body toward the receiver and pass the ball in front so that (he) will catch the ball while accelerating.
• When holding or moving the ball around your body, you must grab the ball in your hands with the fingers spread across the seams to maintain a good grip. Use fingers to control the ball not the palms.
• Slip pass - player pulls ball back with eyes and focused on hands of receiver. Let ball go with outside hand putting ball on aroll, follow through for balance.The rolling hand is slightly turned. The steering hand is in front of the pushing hand(twists)
• Swing pass-swing ball back with eyes on receiver,upper body is turned to the receiver.Elbows are up , and at end of pass the player crosses his legs for balance.
• Jog and pass- spread fingers around center of the ball,arms relaxed. Elbows are bent and swing hands across the body, loomat target and release ball with a flick of wrists and fingers.
• Lateral pass- Look at the ball carrier.Get hands to make at target. Call and catch the ball with both hands and bring it in front of the body. Look ahead for gaps or opposition. Make a target witht he fingers and look to see who can take a return pass.
• Loop pass- sprint in direction of the pass.Keep close to the heels of the ball carrier. When outside of the ball carrier call for a return ball. Take the catch and sprint away.
• Ball on ground- get body and hands behind the rolling ball.keep eye on ball until it rols into his hands.Put outside of foot next to ball.

KICKING SKILLS
To kick the ball accurately from a placed position on the ground to start/restart the game,or convert a try or penalty goal is as follows:

Key Factors
• Lean the ball slightly to expose the sweet spot Concentrate on sweet spot and relax
• Focus and use key words( lean ball forward, standard run up , relax, focus , stright follow through , balance)
• Use imagery to complete kick
• Approach by running in an arc
• Turn non-kicking shoulder side to target
• Place non-kicking foot in line with target
• Head over ball
• Make contact with top of instep
• Rise onto toes of the non-kicking foot
• Straight follow through
• Return to balanced stance

The common errors are lifting the head , the leading shoulder to open , the non-kicking foot too far from the ball and poor follow through.

KICKING/TEACHING POINTS

CRITERIA of KICKING
1. The sweet spot is about 1/4 of the way up the back seam
2. Before the approach relax and focus( cue to a key phrase such as head down -follow through and imagine the complete action through the goal posts{ if its a goal kick} The key to the kick is the placement and alignment of the non-kicking foot.It must be width width from the ball and aligned to the target.
3. By having the head over the ball the kicker assures that the body weight is moving forward through the strike zone
4. The non-kicking arm must be ahead of the body
5. Use an esssential follow through and a balance stance after the kick for an indicator to ensure straightness of the follow through.

A grubber kick - hold the ball with fingers apart at bottom nearest body with fingertips in the middle. Kick the ball with toe pointing down to get low flight.In this way teammates can gain possession of the ball again.
A pop kick - is a short up in the air kick that you can field yourself. It is used if there is nobody to pass to, you can pop it over the defender and run into it.
A long kick is used when the oppostion is attacking the goal line so as to get better field position.

BALL HANDLING DRILLS
Name of drill: Ball Familiarization
Objective: to develop players ' awareness of the rugby ball by working on a wide range of ball handling skills.
The drill set up is to spread the players evenly around the field/floor with a ball in two hands.

THE DRILL
• Around the head , waist , knees, ankles
• Figure 8 through the legs
• Into the air, take one step forward an dcatch behind back
• Between the legs , leaving ball in one place abd changing hands rapidly from left at the front, right at back, to left at back, right at the front
• These drills can be done on the run , decrease size of field and increase speed and intensity with/without opposition

Name of drill: Multi -action relay
Objective- to practice various ball skills
The drill is set up with one ball per person/group with players facing cones about 30 feet away.Each of the front players runs around their cone peforming a designated skill. After completing the skill the players hand off to the next person in line across from them , next to opposite cone.

THE DRILL
• 1st lap :Roll ball and pick up
• 2nd lap: Dribble ball along the ground
• 3rd lap: Rotate ball around body
• 4th lap:Chip kick and chase

Name of drill: Pass Progression
The objective is developing the fundamental skills of the basic lateral pass. There is one ball per group and four cones in a square area.

THE DRILL
• Stage 1:The players are positioned along a straight line about a foot apart. Players remain stationary and swing the ball along the line to the next player, who reaches to receive the ball.
• Stage 2: Separate players to about 3 feet apart and pass the ball along the line
• Stage 3. Lateral passing at a walking pace for about 10 yards to opposite cone.
• Stage 4: Lateral passing at a jogging pace
• Stage 5: Lateral passing at a running pace

Name of the drill:THE PASSING CIRCLE
The objective is to develop good passing and catching technique. One ball per group with 6-8 players in a group in circle formation.Players stand in a circle with one competing against the other, with all players facing outward.

THE DRILL
• Players pass the ball around the circle
• The team that completes the circle first -wins
• The team that completes the greater number of passes in aset time-wins
• The team that passes without a drop -wins
• Chose one player to run around the circle to try and get back to place before one revolution. Exchange players each turn
• Increase the distance of the pass

: 3 MAN SWITCH
The objective is practice switches and passes with the proper spacing and technique

THE DRILL
• Three players execute switches until they reach designated cones
• Complete as fast as possible, each player should pass the ball from the side of the receiver has approched from
• Players without the ball should aim to stay behind ball holder
• Run, pass, go behind , and pass(repeat)

Name of the drill: PASS IN LINE
The objective is to execute lateral passes with proper spacing and depth technique.
Players line up in four lines facing another line of four about 30 feet apart , between two cones.
NOTE:See PASS IN LINE diagram below under Rugby Examples.

THE DRILL
• Players pass down the line to ensure the ball never goes forward and they don't close the gap
• When receiving or passing, the last player to receive the ball should concentrate on running at speed
• Repeat drill from both sides to practice off both hands

Name of the drill: ROLLING SQUARE
The objective is to practice handling a loose ball on the ground . The players are set up at each corner of a square formation that which includes a cone at each corner

THE DRILL
• Two players on the same side sprint to an opposite cone with the ball.
• Roll the ball gently towards the static player and loop back to end of line.
• The receiving player picks up the ball and sprints to the opposite corner rolling the ball 5-6 feet away.Some variations can be placing the ball and/or passing it to the next player in line.

KICKING DRILLS
Name of the drill FORCE BACK
The objective is to improve accuracy of a variety of kicks and improve catching reactions
The players are scattered at appropriate distance on each side of the midline line. A player from one team kicks the ball over the midline toward the opposition.

THE DRILL
• If the ball is caught , the catcher may advance 10 steps
• If the ball is dropped , the kicking team moves up to that mark and retains possesion.
• If the ball is recovered , but not caught , the next kick is made from the point of recovery
• Points are scored by punting the ball between the goal posts( 1 point) and drop kicking the ball betwen the posts is (3 points).

Name of the drill PAIR KICKING
The objective is to improve the players' ability to kick accurately
There will be one ball for each pair. The group is split into two . Players line up opposite another person.

THE DRILL
• Players kick the ball accurately to one another across the area.
• Practice punts and drop kicks so they can be caught on the run.
• Practice a grubber kick - the ball should be stopped as it reaches the player.
• Increase pressure on players by reducing the time they have to kick the ball.

DEFENSIVE LINES
The objective is to practice spacing ( keeping lines straight) and communicating with teammates
Name of the drill:DEFENSIVE LINES
The set up is players opposite another group about 30 feet apart.

THE DRILL
• The defensive pattern is to shoot forward and fall back in a straight defensive line with equal spacing between the defenders
• Players run forward and clap hands , run back to place keeping lines straight at all times
• Plyers run forward circle each other and fall back in same direction they started with straight lines.
• Players run forward circle each other and run back in the opposite direction with lines straight

Name of the drill: BALL /DEFENSE LINES
The objective is to get players in defensive pattern as quickly as possible for more players on the team to get into the defensive lines to use less space for the attacking team to attack.
The drill is set up with two balls on the ground about 10 yards apart.

THE DRILL
• Players must keep defensive lines straight
• Space themselves very close to each other
• Communicate with teammates
• Run to ball together with tight spacing
• Fall back a few paces( space arms distance apart)
• Run to the other ball , repeat

*** LEAD UP/MODIFIED GAMES***
The objective is to practice kicking and catching skills(handling)
AROUND THE BASES- One team is the "batting" group while the other team is scattered in the field.Cones are set for bases in a square formation.The batting team kicks the ball(punt, chip, grubber,etc.) into the field and try to run as far around the bases as possible before the ball is returned to the cones.
If the kick is caught , the player is out;if the ball is returned to a base before the player arrives, it is an out.Three outs and switch positions.Runs are scored the player makes it home.
Players in the field should position themselves where they can be involved in a passing movement back to the base.
TOUCH AND PASS
The objective is to develop communication , movement into space and ball handling
The players are divided into two equal teams that are positioned inside a marked off cone area. The players on the team with the ball must touch the ball on the ground and then pass to a team member. The players on the opposite team have to intercept . Th eball carrier can't move with the ball. The other team must try to pressure the ball carriers into bad passes. If the ball is dropped or intercepted , the other team becomes the passers.The first team to complete (6-10) passes scores a point.Note: the ball carrier can't ass back to the person who just passed to them.Establish a 3 second time limit for passing.

ROB THE NEST
Make four teams and send a team to each of four cones/corners , which are aligned in a square formation on the half court/field area.One player runs from each team at a time. Place 5-6 balls inside a hula hoop in front of each team. The player takes one ball at a time. That player runs to another team steals the ball and then passes the ball to the next person in his line. The ball is placed inside their hula hoop and then repeat the process. The pass should be about 3- 5 feet from the next person in their line. The team with the most balls , wins.
PASSING DOZEN
Split into two teams. Start with a tap in the center of the game area.Players pass the ball among their team to score a touchdown(try) beyond an assigned area.They next attempt to score beyond a different designated area.

If the player holding the ball is touched it is a handover. The team gaining psossession of the ball is to score a try beyond the farthest try line from the change of possession.The ball may be passed in any direction. If the ball is dropped a handover occurs.The score is made between X1 and X4.The next attempt is a try between X3 and X6.
KEEPAWAY The objective is to improve the passing and reaction skills.
Divide the players into small groups (4-5) of players scattered around the field/gym.Four players group together with one player as the interceptor. He will try to pressure the other players into making bad decisions or dropping the ball.If the ball is dropped or intercepted , the player who made the error and the interceptor trade places.

SHADOW RUN
Arrange the players in pairs with one ball for each pair of players.The player with the ball runs at speed while the other player tries to follow keeping about 1-3 feet away at all times.As a variation, upon signal, the ball carrier turns and passes to the other player who now becomes the runner. The objective is to practice quick and evasive movement .

TOUCH RUGBY EXAMPLES

MISS PASS
• #1 player is to be missed out starts off slightly deeper than normal to allow space for the miss-pass
• #2 the player with the ball throws a long pass missing out player on his left
• #3 player receives long ball and runs himself or if there is another man outside him, he throws the pass out wide.

PASS IN LINE
The players line up in four lines.They pass down the line as shown. They should ensure the ball never goes forward and that the players don't close the gap when receiving or passing.The last player to receive the ball should concentrate on running at full speed. Repeat from both sides to practice off both hands.
DOUBLE MISS

THE MOVE
• #1 players"12" and "15" are to be missed and start off slightly deeper thna normal to allow for the miss pass.
• #2 The "10" player throws a long pass missing out"12"
• #3 The "13" player receives the long pass and immediately gives a miss pass to"14" out on the wing

Rugby Drop Kick: Advanced Rugby
How to Pass in Rugby: Beginning Rugby Lesson
Rugby Side Step: Beginning Rugby Lesson
Dummy Pass Rugby Rules and Tips: Beginning Rugby Lesson

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