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Grizzlies Primer
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Positions
Forwards
Because of the shoving, forwards tend to be a bit heavier and generally bigger.
Some height helps too (except Hooker).
The Forward positions are:
1 - Loose Head Prop - supports the Hooker on the Front Row in Scrums
2 - Hooker - hooks the ball with a foot during Scrums.
3 - Tight Head Prop, - supports the Hooker on the Front Row in Scrums
(These are collectively called the Front Row)
4 - Lock - These are the engine of the Scrum, usually taller and stronger.
5 - Lock - They also usually serve as Jumpers in the Line-out.
(Locks are also collectively called the Second Row)
(All the above are also collectively called the Tight Five)
6 - Flanker - these are usually strong and fast, helping power the Scrum.
7 - Flanker - They also break away quickly to provide support and move the ball.
8 - Eight Man - At the back of the Scrum, he protects the ball for the Scrumhalf,
or can pick it up and run.
(All the above are also collectively called The Pack)
The Sir
The Pitch
Set Plays
Open Play
Penalties
Line outs
These occur when the ball has gone out of bounds.
Control is awarded to the Side that did NOT kick or knock the ball out of bounds.
UNLESS it is kicked out on a penalty kick, then possession stays with the kicking Side.
The Hooker from the Side awarded Control throws in the ball from the Touch Line.
The Second Row Locks usually also serve as Jumpers.
Other Forwards usually also serve as Lifters.
Jumpers are thrown into the air like cheerleaders to try and grab the ball.
As soon as the ball is grabbed by a jumper it is back in play.
The Jumper can pass the ball to the Scrumhalf or keep it.
If he keeps it a Maul usually forms around him as he comes down.
Open Play is anything other than a Set play.
In addition to Running and Passing it often includes Rucks and Mauls.
Remember the Ball is the Line of Scrimmage.
Stay behind the Line of Scrimmage or you are Off-Sides and may not defend or otherwise touch the ball.
When you get the ball, RUN FORWARD.
When you can no longer run forward, look and LISTEN for a team mate to Pass the ball to.
ONLY Pass the ball to a team mate BEHIND you.
If you are in front of your team mate who has the ball, you are off sides and MAY NOT touch the ball.
Move back behind the ball FAST and call-out to the ball carrier so he knows you are there to support him.
Backs
Because of all the running, backs tend to be less heavy, lithe, and like to run a lot.
Hand-eye coordination to pass and catch certainly helps too.
The Back positions are:
9 - Scrum Half - Quick and nimble, links the Pack and the Backs.
10 - Fly Half - receives the ball from the Scrumhalf and calls the plays for the Backs.
(These are collectively called Halfbacks)
11 - Wing - they are usually the fastest players and score most frequently.
12 - Inside Center - their main job is to create space for the other Backs to score.
13 - Outside Center - team players, they are always supporting the ball carrier.
14 - Wing - called Blind-side or Open-side depending on where the ball is at the time.
15 - Full Back - last line of defense and often the kicker and returns attackers kicks.
(Backs are collectively called Backs....)
Scoring
A Try is awarded when you touch the ball to the ground in the Try Zone.
The Try does NOT count unless the ball is placed on the ground WITH downward pressure.
A Try is worth five points.
You MUST touch the ball to the ground with downward pressure or it does not count.
Just crossing the Try Line does NOT count.
A Conversion is a kick for extra points following a Try.
Conversions are worth two points.
After a conversion attempt the Side that did NOT score kicks off to the Side that did. Crazy English.
Penalty kicks are awarded by the Sir for certain penalties.
Penalty kicks are worth three points.
Defenders stand quietly IN the Try Zone when the other side is kicking for Conversion or a Penalty.
It is also possible, but rare, that the ball will be kicked through the uprights during loose play.
This is called a Drop Goal and can theoretically happen any time
A Drop Goal is also worth three points should it work.
DO NOT get penalties. They are more often bad for your Side.
The often result in Scrums and will make the Pack want to Scrum you after the Match.
On Penalties the Sir holds one hand straight up and points the other at the Side that will get control of the Ball.
Knock-on is when the ball touches any part of your body and bounces away.
The exception is if it hits below the knee. Then it is considered a kick and is fair.
Forward Pass is when you pass the ball to a team mate who is in Front, or even beside you.
ONLY pass to a team mate who is BEHIND you.
Off-Sides is when you engage the ball or a defender from the wrong side of the ball.
Stay behind your man with the ball.
Stay in front of a defender if he has the ball.
Obstruction is basically when you get in the way of an opposing player that does not have the ball.
This results in a penalty, so stay BEHIND your team mate who has the ball.
When a penalty is against your side - Immediately get back 10 meters.
Otherwise you are off-sides and MAY NOT tackle the ball carrier without earning another penalty.
When the penalty is against the other Side, get into position behind your player who re-starts play.
Advantage is when the Sir decides your infraction actually benefits the other Side.
So, the Sir can allow play to continue as long as he feels the other Side is benefiting.
But, if the other Side does actually not benefit, the Sir will call the ball back to where you earned a penalty.
Sir is the correct name for the referee.
There is only one Sir in a Rugby match.
Do NOT speak to the Sir.
Unless you are the team Captain.
If the Sir speaks to you directly, it means you did something wrong.
The ONLY correct response to the Sir is "yes Sir".
Speaking to the Sir out of turn can result in a penalty to your side.
Should you disagree with the Sir, speak to your Captain.
Your Captain is the only one who can speak to the Sir.
If your Captain does not take your complaint to the Sir, suck it up.
Listen to the Sir during play, he will be giving instructions.
These instructions will help keep you from earning a penalty for your side.
The Ball is LIVE until the Sir blows his whistle.
So, play does NOT stop until the Sir blows his whistle.
In the unlikely event you are injured, stay down till someone comes to you.
If you are in the way, the Sir will call a short break so you can be moved.
A Side is made up of the 15 players on your team.
There are 15 positions on each Side and each position has a specific Number assigned to it.
The 15 Positions are divided up between Forwards who do more shoving and Backs who do more running.
But, don't worry, there is plenty of running and shoving to be done by every position.
Basically, Forwards get the ball and the Backs run it in to the Try Zone (the end zone) to score.
Or, to say it another way, Forwards are the workhorses and Backs are the dainty glory-hounds.
But in rugby any position can score, run, tackle, get tackled, et. al.
When you get the ball you can Run forward, pass to a player behind you, hand it off or kick it.
When the ball carrier is tackled, he MUST IMMEDIATELY release the ball. Preferably where his Side can pick it up.
ONLY the person carrying the ball may be tackled. Unless you want to earn a penalty for your Side.
The most important thing to remember is a tackle DOES NOT stop play.
The Side with the ball are Attackers, the other Side are Defenders. These labels change rapidly during play.
There is also something called 7s. But, don't be distracted by that till you get 15s figured out.
Touch Judges
Pitch is the correct term for the field of play.
Since this is not a sport native to the U.S., the Pitch is measured in meters.
A proper Pitch is a bit longer than a football field.
The end zone, where you score, is correctly called the Try zone.
So, you do not get a touch-down, you (hopefully often) get a Try.
The sidelines, where you are out of bounds, is correctly called Touch.
So, spectators are standing or sitting In Touch.
Halfway Line - marks the center of the field.
10 Meter Lines - marks the minimum distance the ball must travel on kick-off.
22 Meter Lines - when you are behind your own 22 meter line you are in trouble.
5 Meter lines - runs down the sides (Touch) to mark the minimum distance for Line-outs.
The Match
Matches are generally played on Rugby Day, sometimes referred to as Saturday.
A Rugby Match consists of two halfs not exceeding 40 minutes each and a 10 minute half time.
A proper Match includes the two 40 minute halfs and a much longer Third Half.
The Third Half is where both Sides meet for a friendly Beer after completing the first two halfs.
You may drink something other than beer, but this is not recommended, and may result in ridicule.
If you scored a Try during the match, you must run around naked at some point during the Third Half.
This is so everyone knows that you finally scored.
You may drink several beers before doing the run-around bit.
Third Halfs should also include collegial singing. See the Grizzlies Song Book link for more on this.
Seasons
There are two season each calendar year.
Fall is one Season.
Winter/Spring is the other Season.
Matches are also called Fixtures in some places. No one knows why.
The number of Matches in a season varies depending on how many clubs are willing to play your team.
Their willingness has a lot to do with how good a reputation your Club has for arranging the Third Half.
The Club Match Secretary is the party responsible for coordinating schedules with other Clubs.
These two handsome fellows assist the Sir by standing quietly along the two Touch Lines.
Each team usually volunteers one of there players to serve as a Touch Judge for the Match.
If you are chosen, it does not necessarily mean your team does not want you on the Pitch.
Like the color guard in high school Touch Judges get to waive small colorful flags.
When the ball goes into Touch (out of bounds) they rush to the spot and hold the flag over their head.
This indicates where the ball will be thrown in from when the ball is found and play resumes.
On a penalty kick they also determine if the ball goes between the uprights on the goal post.
If the kick is good they waive the flag over their head with happiness.
If the kick is outside the uprights they will hold the flags down and look disappointed.
Scrums
These occur to put the ball back in play after certain penalties.
A Scrum has been called when the Sir knocks his knuckles together over his head.
The Sir will then indicate which Side will Put In the ball.
The Pack Binds together facing the opposing Pack.
The Sir calls CROUCH, TOUCH, PAUSE, ENGAGE and the two Sides lock together.
The Scrumhalf then rolls the ball into the middle of the Scrum.
The two Hookers kick each other until the balls rolls toward the back of one Pack.
When the ball is back between the legs of the Eight Man, the Scrumhalf pulls it out.
The Scrumhalf may pass to the Flyhalf or another player.
In the unlikely event that the opposing Scrumhalf is not already on top of him,
the Scrumhalf may also run the ball himself.
The ball is then back in Open Play.
Maul
A Maul occurs when the ball carrier runs into one or more Defenders
BUT they all stay on their feet pushing.
The ball is OFF the ground in a Maul.
A Maul ends when the ball is handed off to a player that is not in the Maul.
Or, when the Maul collapses and the ball touches the ground forming a Ruck.
Ruck