The Game of rugby
Welcome to the Pitch: A Parent’s Guide to Rugby
1. A Brief History: From Schoolyard to Global Stage
Legend has it that in 1823, a student named William Webb Ellis was playing football (soccer) at Rugby School in England when he simply picked up the ball and ran with it. While likely a myth, it gave birth to a sport that is now the second most popular on the planet.
In Canada, rugby has deep roots, dating back to the 1860s. Today, it is one of the fastest-growing sports in North America, known for its inclusivity and the "World Cup" atmosphere that accompanies its major tournaments.
2. The Objective: Getting the Ball Home
The goal of rugby is simple: Score more points than the opponent. Points are scored in four ways:
Try (5 Points): The ultimate goal. A player carries the ball across the opponent's goal line and presses it onto the ground. Simply crossing the line isn't enough; you must touch it down.
Conversion (2 Points): After a try, the team gets a "free kick" to send the ball through the uprights.
Penalty Kick (3 Points): If the other team commits a major foul, you can choose to kick for goal.
Drop Goal (3 Points): A rare but exciting play where a player drops the ball and kicks it through the uprights during open play.
3. The Basics: How the Game Moves
For a North American audience, these are the "Golden Rules" that differ from sports like football or soccer:
No Forward Passing: You can only pass the ball sideways or backwards. To move forward, you must run with the ball or kick it.
Continuous Play: Unlike football, the game doesn't stop when someone is tackled. Players contest for the ball on the ground (called a Ruck), and the game keeps flowing.
All-In Play: Every player on the pitch must be able to run, pass, catch, and tackle. There are no "offensive only" or "defensive only" specialists.
4. Understanding the "Laws" (Not Rules)
In rugby, we call them Laws. Here are the ones parents ask about most:
The Tackle: You can only tackle the ball carrier. Tackles must be below the sternum. "High tackles" are strictly penalized for safety.
The Scrum: That "huddle" you see? It’s a way to restart play after a minor mistake (like a forward pass). Two sets of players push against each other to win the ball back with their feet.
The Lineout: When the ball goes out of bounds, it is thrown back in between two lines of players. You’ll often see teammates lifting a jumper high into the air to catch it.
Offside: Generally, if you are in front of your teammate who has the ball, you are "offside" and cannot participate until you move back.
5. The Heart of the Game: The Social Aspect
This is where Rugby wins over every other sport. Rugby is built on five core values: Integrity, Passion, Solidarity, Discipline, and Respect.
Respect for the Official: Only the Team Captain is allowed to speak to the referee. In rugby, the referee’s word is final, and they are addressed as "Sir" or "Ma’am."
The Third Half: After the game is over and the hard hitting is done, the teams eat together. It is a tradition that the home team hosts the visiting team for a meal. Enemies on the pitch, friends in the clubhouse.
The Rugby Family: When you join the Airdrie Highlanders, you aren't just joining a team; you’re joining a community. Whether it’s at George McDougall or a pitch in Calgary, the support system for players and parents is unmatched.
A Note on Safety: Parents often worry about the lack of pads. Research consistently shows that because rugby players do not wear "armor," they are taught to tackle with better technique, leading to fewer head-first collisions than in padded sports. Safety is the Highlanders' #1 priority.
Links to further information on the game:
Flag Rugby Video
