Parents' Info & Links
So, your child has decided to play rugby? DON'T PANIC! Rugby is a wonderful game, with a rich tradition. Our goal is to provide some information increase your knowledge of the game, and hopefully ease any fears that you have about your child playing rugby.
Rugby is absolutely a contact sport, but it is not a brutal sport. In fact, there are several logical reasons that American football could be construed to be a much more violent sport. To help illustrate our reasoning, below are three examples of how rugby compares favorably with football:
- Possession: Rugby is a game of possession, as opposed to a game of yardage. This mindset allows coaches to emphasize passing of the ball before being tackled and other techniques aimed at retaining possession. Many football injuries occur from the ball carrier fighting for extra yards and extra defenders coming in with a powerful shot. A ball carrier in rugby can knowingly surrender yards, retain possession, and avoid dangerous plays.
- No Blocking: Most think that a lack of blocking makes the game more dangerous, but in fact, it makes rugby safer because defenders aren.t being blind-sided by an offensive player. In rugby, nearly all collisions are anticipated by both players, and this gives each the time to prepare their body.
- Tackling: The tacklers must wrap their arms when tackling, and absolutely no tackling above the shoulders is allowed. High tackles are strictly forbidden and are quickly penalized if they occur. This makes for safer play and for surer tackling. In addition to teaching safe tackling techniques, the coaches can tutor the players to the correct fashion to be tackled.
- While our main emphasis is on safety and honoring the game, another major part of rugby is the camaraderie. Rugby is a unique group of individuals (and a group of unique individuals), that carries over from grade schools, to colleges, and to communities throughout the world. It welcomes all players of any shape and size and allows them to blend strength, speed, and agility on a pitch full of their mates. Successful rugby does require fitness, but first and foremost, it requires a person who is ready, willing, and able to be part of something special.
This is obviously only a primer about our club and the sport of rugby, so don.t feel around to contact us with questions or requests of information that you would like to see on our website. If you are interested in learning more about this wonderful game, please visit some of these websites listed below.
Charlotte Rugby Club - www.charlotterugby.com
Global Rugby News - www.rugbyrugby.com
USA Rugby - www.usarugby.org
Rugby Position Descriptions - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rugby_union_positions
Rugby Introduction - http://rugbylibrary.com/beginners.php