Any rugby players here? I just started playing yesterday, and I must say it is a great sport. Tons of fun. Plus the team here is so relaxed. I had never played before, but didn't have a problem getting into it. I'm a little soar, but it's ok. Apparently I'm going to play second row, since I'm tall. Anyone know what that means?
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Rugby!
- Thread starter d8g3jdh
- Start date
I used to play rugby. Three years in college. It was outrageously fun. I also played second row. You will have the following jobs: You are going to be in the middle of the scrum. Tape your ears on tight, and if you work out, spend some serious time on squats, as you will be the driving force. If you get your butt low (below your shoulders), you can really generate some leverage and drive the scrum. If you get your butt high (above your shoulders), you will generate little power, and cause yourself serious back pain.
The reason that your height comes into it (I am 6' 3") is that you will also be responsible for winning the ball in line outs. When the ball goes out of bounds, there is a line out where the forwards (including you) will line up perpendicular to the sideline, opposite your opponents in a similar line about 2-3 feet away. Then a person from the team that did not touch the ball last will throw the ball down the middle of the two lines (between the two teams), and you will try to catch it. Your height is a huge asset in this, as it works out to be something remotely like a rebound in basketball. If you catch it, your teammates on either side of you will "bind" (grab) on to you and protect you from the other team, which will try to take the ball from you. Or vice versa, if the other team grabs it. There is strategy as to which team is throwing it in, and signalling to their teammates how far the throw will go, but you get the idea.
Lastly, as a forward, your job will to be to tackle the opposing teammates, and get your head in there everytime you can to help win the ball for your backs, who will do most of the running. It's best to get some nasty attitude
going, because you are going to be "in the trenches" -- winning possession of the ball, pushing the pile, tackling opposing players, etc.
Sometimes you will get the ball yourself coming out of a ruck or maul. When you do, you can either pass it to your speedy backs or run it yourself. If you choose the latter (if you're near the try line, or have some open field), then channel Larry Czonka, and run the heck over whomever is trying to bring you down. Make them pay. It is always better to hit someone than to be hit.
Rugby will make you sore, but I've seen far worse injuries in football, where the collisions can be more severe, and the helmet can become a weapon. Have fun. It's a blast, and a great way to relieve stress. I miss it.
The reason that your height comes into it (I am 6' 3") is that you will also be responsible for winning the ball in line outs. When the ball goes out of bounds, there is a line out where the forwards (including you) will line up perpendicular to the sideline, opposite your opponents in a similar line about 2-3 feet away. Then a person from the team that did not touch the ball last will throw the ball down the middle of the two lines (between the two teams), and you will try to catch it. Your height is a huge asset in this, as it works out to be something remotely like a rebound in basketball. If you catch it, your teammates on either side of you will "bind" (grab) on to you and protect you from the other team, which will try to take the ball from you. Or vice versa, if the other team grabs it. There is strategy as to which team is throwing it in, and signalling to their teammates how far the throw will go, but you get the idea.
Lastly, as a forward, your job will to be to tackle the opposing teammates, and get your head in there everytime you can to help win the ball for your backs, who will do most of the running. It's best to get some nasty attitude
going, because you are going to be "in the trenches" -- winning possession of the ball, pushing the pile, tackling opposing players, etc.Sometimes you will get the ball yourself coming out of a ruck or maul. When you do, you can either pass it to your speedy backs or run it yourself. If you choose the latter (if you're near the try line, or have some open field), then channel Larry Czonka, and run the heck over whomever is trying to bring you down. Make them pay. It is always better to hit someone than to be hit.
Rugby will make you sore, but I've seen far worse injuries in football, where the collisions can be more severe, and the helmet can become a weapon. Have fun. It's a blast, and a great way to relieve stress. I miss it.
I'm ashamed to put this onto talkbass - it has nothing to do with bass. But it's FUN!
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Should have a different sound track though.
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Should have a different sound track though.
Very cool sport, but the risk of injuries and the lack of a professional organisation here holds me back.
This is trueVorago said:
This is one reason i am aprehensive to get back into rugby, i only really played rugby when i was younger.
When my dad was 17/18 he played for the scottish school boys team, essentially the under 21s scottish team at the point. And he broke his neck whilst playing, a srum collapsed, in an akward way, and, snap, it fortunatly didnt have any major complications to later life, but, it still isnt a good thing to have happened!
I've been playing with the local students team this summer, we're trying hard to get the team organisation towards more 'professional' standards. Right now it's 15-20 students and other actives rehearsing under a former british club player.
Rugby's a very small sport in Finland so far, perhaps 10 clubs in the whole country - mostly in the university cities where there's a chance of foreign students who know the game and can offer advice. The local federation is trying to do the same for rugby at the moment what happened to American Football around here in the 90's - suddenly the clubs came up everywhere and now they have about 20 more or less regular clubs in 3 different divisions.
It's certainly fun, on the amateur level most of the games include the notorious 3rd half of drinking and partying with the other clubs guys.
Rugby's a very small sport in Finland so far, perhaps 10 clubs in the whole country - mostly in the university cities where there's a chance of foreign students who know the game and can offer advice. The local federation is trying to do the same for rugby at the moment what happened to American Football around here in the 90's - suddenly the clubs came up everywhere and now they have about 20 more or less regular clubs in 3 different divisions.
It's certainly fun, on the amateur level most of the games include the notorious 3rd half of drinking and partying with the other clubs guys.
Toasted said:
heh! I just learned the difference in the last year! I like league over union.
But in the US, almost every college or club team is playing union, not league.
Scott Zoltok said:
Yup, good game. I played back in High School and have been trying to find the time/fitness/opportunity (hard to get them all at once it seems) to play again.
I too played second row.
Bumpage
I just emailed a guy from the local rugby team, and he said I could just come over and train along to see if I like it. Very cool!
Now I need to ask him what gear I need for now.
I just emailed a guy from the local rugby team, and he said I could just come over and train along to see if I like it. Very cool!
Now I need to ask him what gear I need for now.
I used to play too... loved it.
You'll need boots (regular football boots will do to start with, but there are rugby-specific boots out there), a box (to protect the ol' family jewels), a mouthguard (to stop your teeth getting knocked out!) and a headguard (or at least a sweatband or something) to stop your ears getting ripped off! Other than that, just the regular sports gear - a top, shorts and long socks, and you'll be good to go.
Despite being British, I usually support Ireland in the Rugby World Cup... I'm gutted Brian O'Driscoll is out this year.
Guess it'll be up to Ronan O'Gara...
Im thinking about playing rugby again too now.
Played it when I was younger, but when i was younger i wasnt 6ft 4 and 242 lbs
Played it when I was younger, but when i was younger i wasnt 6ft 4 and 242 lbs
But league is soooooo dull!! Played by northern pansies over here..."no, no, don't hurt me! Just let me stand up and roll this ball under my foot like a little sissy girl...". Actually that's probably the appeal for you...being used to American Football and all...
