Among the many sporting activities enjoyed by both men and women today, rugby is one the most loved and is gaining worldwide popularity among sports enthusiasts. A game of rugby is aimed at testing the stamina, skill, and speed of the players. It is a fast moving and high intensity team sport that is considered among the most challenging field games in the athletic world today.
The history of rugby dates back to 10th Century England. At that time, players of rugby were great mobs and villagers who competed in kicking and throwing the rugby ball with the aim of getting the ball across the field. From kicking and throwing the ball, the laws and rules of the game changed in 1823 when William Webb Ellis, a 16-year old student in a rugby school in England, picked up the ball and ran downfield toward the goal instead of simply kicking it. That led to the development of the contemporary rules of playing rugby.
Playing rugby is like playing basketball, football, and chess all at one time. That is, a rugby game requires speed, contact, and strategy, which are the defining characteristics of the earlier mentioned sports activities, respectively. A rugby competition is comprised of two competing teams with each team having either 15 or 13 members. A team is required to have 15 members during a professional rugby game-which is also known as a Rugby League-while 13 players are required in a team playing for the Rugby Union, or the widely played amateur version. The ball used in playing rugby is oval-shaped and closely resembles the ball used in American football. The field where a rugby game is played measures 330ft long and 180-225ft wide with goal lines 110 yards apart, two in-goals 25 yards deep, and letter "H" goal posts on each side of the field.
Just like in most ball games, the primary goal of a rugby team is to score more points than the opponents. To earn a point, the team must touch the ball down in the opposition in-goal area and score a try or by kicking the ball through the goal posts. The game is played in two 40-minute halves filled with ball kicking, running, and backward passes. As the game demands sure hand ball movement, steadfast tackling, and a keen eye for ball possession opportunities, rugby players are expected to display speed, strength, and exceptional stamina during game play.
With the increasing worldwide popularity of rugby, various rugby associations and organizations have been established all over the world. Today, there are five major international competitions most rugby teams aspire to compete in. These are the Rugby World Cup, Heineken Cup, Six Nations, Super 14, and Tri Nations. Among these five, the one considered most prestigious and is being held only every four years is the Rugby World Cup. The next Cup is scheduled to be hosted by New Zealand in 2011.
Everyone can enjoy a game of rugby. With this sport discounting one's gender, age, size, fitness level, or experience, everyone-men and women, alike, that is-can definitely enjoy this sporting event.
The history of rugby dates back to 10th Century England. At that time, players of rugby were great mobs and villagers who competed in kicking and throwing the rugby ball with the aim of getting the ball across the field. From kicking and throwing the ball, the laws and rules of the game changed in 1823 when William Webb Ellis, a 16-year old student in a rugby school in England, picked up the ball and ran downfield toward the goal instead of simply kicking it. That led to the development of the contemporary rules of playing rugby.
Playing rugby is like playing basketball, football, and chess all at one time. That is, a rugby game requires speed, contact, and strategy, which are the defining characteristics of the earlier mentioned sports activities, respectively. A rugby competition is comprised of two competing teams with each team having either 15 or 13 members. A team is required to have 15 members during a professional rugby game-which is also known as a Rugby League-while 13 players are required in a team playing for the Rugby Union, or the widely played amateur version. The ball used in playing rugby is oval-shaped and closely resembles the ball used in American football. The field where a rugby game is played measures 330ft long and 180-225ft wide with goal lines 110 yards apart, two in-goals 25 yards deep, and letter "H" goal posts on each side of the field.
Just like in most ball games, the primary goal of a rugby team is to score more points than the opponents. To earn a point, the team must touch the ball down in the opposition in-goal area and score a try or by kicking the ball through the goal posts. The game is played in two 40-minute halves filled with ball kicking, running, and backward passes. As the game demands sure hand ball movement, steadfast tackling, and a keen eye for ball possession opportunities, rugby players are expected to display speed, strength, and exceptional stamina during game play.
With the increasing worldwide popularity of rugby, various rugby associations and organizations have been established all over the world. Today, there are five major international competitions most rugby teams aspire to compete in. These are the Rugby World Cup, Heineken Cup, Six Nations, Super 14, and Tri Nations. Among these five, the one considered most prestigious and is being held only every four years is the Rugby World Cup. The next Cup is scheduled to be hosted by New Zealand in 2011.
Everyone can enjoy a game of rugby. With this sport discounting one's gender, age, size, fitness level, or experience, everyone-men and women, alike, that is-can definitely enjoy this sporting event.
About the Author:
Lucas Denton is a rugby coach from London. Lucas has been playing rugby since he was 9-years old and is currently teaching said sports in a University in UK.
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