Flag Rugby

Rugby Unit History Gameplay Etiquette Strategies Vocabulary Field

History Many believe that William Webb Ellis was responsible for creating the game of rugby in 1823 while attending Rugby school in England. During a soccer game he picked the ball up and ran with it until a young man from the other team tackled him. In 1848 an early set of rules for the game were established. The Rugby Football Union (RFU) was formed in London in the later 1800’s.  Rugby will be added to the 2016 Olympics.

Gameplay The object of the game is to score more points than the other team. The offensive team moves the ball down the field using passing and running skills in an effort to cross the goal line and down the ball to score. The defensive teams slows down the progress by pulling flags as a form of tackling.

Gameplay A free pass from the center of the field starts the game and is used to begin play after a score. When the ball goes out of bounds, a lineout is used to put the ball back in play. A game is made of 2 halves (10-20 minutes). A team has 4-7 players, as long as teams are even.

Etiquette When the defensive player pulls a flag they yell “flag” and must stop and hold the flag up in the air (player is out of play). The ball carrier must pass the ball to a teammate within 3 steps/3 seconds. After the pass, the player missing a flag is out of play. While play continues the defender returns the flag to the offensive player – once the flag is returned, the defensive player is back in play. Once the offensive player puts the flags back on, he/she is back in play.

Penalties & Restarts Forward pass – turnover (given to the opposing team) at the spot of the penalty. Knock-On – (fumble forward) turnover at the spot of the penalty. Flag guarding – turnover at the spot of the penalty. Diving – no score Contact – turnover at the spot of the penalty. Failure to release the ball – turnover at the spot of the penalty.

Strategies Offense: support players follow the ball carrier creating a triangle for passing options. Defense: flat line moving together as one unit.

Flag rugby vs. rugby Regular rugby uses the following skills/techniques not generally used in flag rugby: Kicking/punting Lifts Overhead Lineout Passes Tackles Scrum

Vocabulary Advantage – if the team not committing the penalty gains possession, there will be no call. Drawing the defender – forcing the defender to commit to the ball carrier. Flat Line Defense – defense creates a line which makes it more difficult for the offense to move forward. Grounding – when a player touches the ball to the ground with two hands – must stay on his/her feet.

Vocabulary Knock-on – ball carrier fumbles the ball forward. Lineout – restarts play when the ball goes out of bounds. Pass – all passes must be thrown sideways or backwards. Support – offensively being in position to receive a pass from the ball carrier. Supports players are always behind and close enough for a short pass.

Vocabulary Continued Try – Score is a “try” and is worth 5 points. A try is when the offense crosses the goal line, into the try zone, and touches the ball to the ground with both hands. Try Zone – the end zone where a try can be scored.

Field

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