The Principles of Rugby

• Go Forward
• Support
• Pressure (denying time and space)
• Continuity (keeping the ball moving, recycling)
• Possession (having the ball in your teams hands)

and the glue that holds it all together "Communication"

Rob's hopefully helpful tips, that I have picked up in my travels, about some of the parts of the game.

These are for you to think about and try one or two at a time, between and during sessions to improve your game.

Top Tips for handling

• Get used to the feel, weight and shape of a ball by carrying it around with you as much as possible.
• Practice holding the ball in both hands and with either hand.
• Try throwing a ball up in the air and catching it with one hand, then the other hand.
• Practice throwing the ball from one hand to the other across your body.
• Practice passing the ball around your body, then through your legs in a figure of eight.
• Try carrying the ball by gripping it from on top of the ball with your hands facing down.
• Begin with the pointy ends then if you can, grip it closer to the middle fat part of the ball.
• From that grip, try dropping it and catching it, first with both hands then with the hand you were gripping it with.

Top Tips for catching

• Make a target with your hands in the shape of the ball where you want the ball to end up.
• This could be, well to the front and to one side with out stretched arms, so you can catch and pass across your body in one movement.
• Call for the ball, when and where you want it. (Communication is what makes the game go round)
• When receiving a pass watch the ball all the way into your hands.
• To help you do this try and read the writing written on the ball as you catch it.
• Try to position your hands so that they are at the same angle and profile of the ball as you catch it (In sympathy with it).
• Think about what your feet are doing and use them to position yourself in the best place to receive the pass.
• Develop "soft hands". Try to cushion the ball into your hands, using your arms as shock absorbers.
• Think how you would catch a cricket ball and compare your techniques.
• Catch the ball with your fingers not your palms.
• Listen for the clapping noise the ball makes as it hits your hands and try to stop it happening.
• Throw a ball up against a wall or tree and practice catching it when it bounces off at crazy angles.
• Try catching the ball off the wall with one hand.
• If the ball arrives out to one side where you can only get one hand to it, shape your first hand around the side of the ball and guide it in to your other hand.

Top Tips for Passing

• Aim your pass at the receivers target.
• When you release the ball your fingers should end up pointing at the target.
• Try making pistols with your fingers and shoot the target as you release the ball.
• Practice how hard you throw the ball "the weight of the pass" throw it too hard and the ball becomes impossible to catch, throw it to softly and you give the receiver no time to catch it and make a decision before he is tackled.
• Try to get the ball so it arrives at the catchers target at the best possible angle and speed for the receiver to catch it.
• This is what is known as a "sympathetic pass" a pass that is in tune with the catchers needs.
• Think about how you would want to receive the ball at a given time and aim to deliver that pass.
• If they are running, then time and aim your pass just in front of the receiver, so they can catch it and run on to it easily with out breaking step.
• When passing over short distances   Do not spin it, it makes it harder to catch as there is less time for the catcher to react and position their hands correctly.
• Over the slightly longer, short distances, with the pointy end of the ball facing down, if you give the ball a slight upward flick as you release it, you can make it spin very slowly end over end, so that when it reaches the catcher, it pops up at the right angle and position for him to easily catch it and pass it on.
• This also helps the ball to fly straighter and a little longer. Try practicing this with a mate until you get it right.
• When passing to your right, put your left foot forward and your left elbow cocked up, this creates a channel for your hands and fingers to push through towards the target on your right with out having to twist your body. (For a left pass, right foot forward, right elbow cocked).
• When delivering a pass try spreading your fingers wider around the ball. This will give you better grip and more control, especially in wet conditions.
• Remember you only become a good passer of the ball when you can do it under pressure.

Positional skills

Front row

Lock, flanker, No8

Half backs

Centre, Wing, Fullback

Players Code of Conduct

1. Do your best and participate for the "Fun of it", not just to please your parents or coach.
2. Play to the laws of the game. (Play and tackle hard but always fairly).
3. Accept all the referee´s decisions, without question or argument.
4. Play with control, do not lose your temper. - You and your team will benefit.
5. Treat all players and opponents with respect and as you would like to be treated. Don´t interfere with, bully or take unfair advantage of any player.
6. Be a gentleman and a good sport, (win with humility and lose with dignity). At the end of a match thank your opponents and the referee. (Remember what they say, Football is a gentleman´s game played by thugs and Rugby is a thug´s game played by gentlemen, don´t get them confused).
7. Recognize good play and applaud it, whether by your team or by the opposition.
8. Remember as well as enjoyment the aims of the game are to improve your skills and to feel good. Allow your coach to help you achieve both by listening carefully. (Remember they are just volunteers trying to have fun too).
9. Co-operate with your coach, referee, team-mates and opponents, for without them you don´t have a game.
10. Work equally hard for yourself and your team mates, your team´s performancewill benefit your own.