Tips on Running

Learn How to Play Rugby and Master the Basic Skills of Rugby that Will Have You Go from Rugby Zero to Rugby Hero in as little as 8 weeks

Want to run like an Eagle? There are a few basic rules that every rugby player should know about running. I first recommend you watch USA rugby and USA College rugby games. Then you should always run straight on the rugby field.  Imagine it is divided into lanes.  Never run into somebody else's lane otherwise the attack will drift.  Always run towards your support. On defense, forwards run after the ball while the backs maintain defensive positions.

You should be able to read the play in case the defense becomes offense.  Always be in support of the man with the ball, when there are several players on either side of the player with the ball, this creates options which turns into tries.  Always carry the ball with two hands unless the fending off an attacker.

The Forward Charge
The sole player charges at full speed towards an attacker.  The ball is tucked firmly between the ballcarrier's arm and shoulder blade.  When he is two or three steps away he lowers his shoulders  and aims at the tackler in an attempt to knock him over.

The stiff arm
The attacker run straight at the defender but as soon as the attacker is close enough to the defender, he sticks out his arm within touching distance pushing the tackler away and at the same time pushing himself off of the tackler.

The hit and spin
This is exactly like a forward charge, but at the last moment the attackers  spins off of the impact and keeps running ( usually to pass the ball to a teammate).

The bump
This is especially useful if the attacker has had set himself low.  As the attacker comes in he gives a tackler the shoulder bump. Another version of the front charge.

Swerve
The attacker runs straight towards a tackler, but about two steps away he swerves throwing the tackler off balance.

The side step
The attacking player gets as close to the tackler for being tackled, then slowly starts to take a short step.  He drops shoulder in direction of movement with the opposite leg effectively moving away as a sprint can

Dodge
Suddenly, an attacker changes direction and fakes the tackler out with his shoulders

The Feint
The attacker drops one shoulder so the tackler believes he is going one way, then quickly goes the other.

Goose step
Two or three quick steps where the legs are lifted with the knee locked (suggesting that a change of page is about to occur causing a defender to hesitate)

Full Stop
As the name implies, an attacker completely stops, throwing off the defense.