AO2 Gamed Based Sport

Games

Rugby Union –

Skills

Running with the ball - the objective of this skill is to run with the ball  and reach the other teams try line and put the ball down to score a try, or as a way of gaining territory before play breaks down. 

Kicking – the purpose of this skill is so a team can get closer to the try line, or for additional points. When you have scored a try you get a chance to kick the ball through the H –shaped goal post, which will score additional points. A drop kick starts or restarts the game, drop kick or fly kicks can used to put the ball outside of pitch, to gain territory or if close enough score a drop goal. 

Scrumming - this skill is used regular play is held up, usually when the referee has decided an infringement has been made by one team, the ball is put in by the scrum half for the team who had the advantage.

Rucking – In regular play when a runner has been tackled, and goes to ground, the tackled player will present the ball for his team to ruck over, allowing the scrum half to collect the ball from the ground and continue playing, the opposition must try to turn the tackled player over and steal the ball.

Tackling – the purpose of this skill is to stop the other team from getting any closer to the try line, or stopping the player from getting to the try line. This can lead to a ruck or if still on his feet a maul.

Catching – is a vital part of the game, when people pass to each other they must be able to catch the pass, and keep on running to score a try.

Passing - the purpose of this skill is so everybody can get a touch on the ball, and if you are about to be tackled you can pass it so you can keep the ball. Also so you will be able to gain more possession. 

Techniques

Coaching Points:

Rucking – when a player is driving forward in a ruck he should go from low to high have a low body position and keep his head straight to know where he is going, have a straight back, grip his opponent player tightly and have his legs driving. 

Passing – when a player is passing they should look at the person who they are passing to, the player they are passing to is in a clear space to catch the ball and won’t be tackled when the ball is thrown and the ball should be thrown at the height between chest and knee.

Scrumming – when you are scrumming you should have a straight back, and use your legs to drive, if you are the hooker you should hook the ball to the back of the scrum as fast as you can.

Kicking – Initial kick off from a static position or as a restart from a drop kick the ball should travel no further than 10meters, and should be hit high vut not long to all the attaching players to chance to cross the distance between teams and challenge for the ball.

Tackling – before you are tackle you should stay on your feet until you make contact then you should bring down the person you tackle to the floor, you tackle between the chest and the knees, you don’t tackle around the neck, you don’t tackle in mid –air.

Drills to do with Skills:

Rucking – When the ball has gone to ground, the supporting runners join together to push back the rucking shield. It is important that both player get there at the same time and push from low to high.

Mauling – When the ball has not go to ground and a maul forms the ball must be presented. Two players join together to push back the rucking shield and then somebody comes to collect the ball. It is important for both players get there at the same time and link tightly together.   

Passing - this is where the ball is passed around the players with different types of passing.

Performing the skills:

Running with the ball – this skill is used all over the pitch, it supports players when they have the ball they can pass to you, will be able to run to the try line. It is an important part of the rugby game. 

Kicking – kicking is used to, move the ball up the field in open play, or as a opportunity to add points to you score by converting the ball between the goal posts when either a penalty or after a try. Drop goals can also be scored in open play. The ball can be kicked from a fixed position on the ground or out of your hands.

Scrumming – both team forms into a scrum formation of three front row, who interlock with the opposition front row, the locks on both teams supply the power to drive forward, and lock the front row together, support is given from the no8 and flankers, who hold the scrum together and can break from the scrum with the ball. A scrum occurs when the regular play is disrupted or the ball goes dead, the team who puts in is the team which did not cause the offence.

Passing – this skill is used across the whole of the pitch; it is how the ball travels around the pitch.  

Tackling – this skill is used to prevent the opposing team from getting down the pitch, passing the ball and scoring tries.

Catching – this skill is used to catch the ball after somebody has passed to you, it is used to be able to be passed to and keep on running with the ball and score tries.

Rucking – this skill is used to fight for the ball after somebody has been tackled and to gain possession.  

Tactics

Strengths and Weaknesses of opponent – teams find there opponents strengths by watching videos and analysis them to find there strengths and at the same time seeing where they are weak. Also by watching live matches and make notes on there strengths, weakness and what they do to try and make them stronger. They go and watch them do training and look at what there strengths are and how they use them to full potential and where they are going to need work and more training.  

Target opponent Weaknesses – a weakness could be identified after watching the video analysis, it could be that you find a player who cannot pass on his right, so you force them right and wide so they won’t be able to pass. If  you know somebody is not a good tackler then you go for him when you have the ball. 

Formations player setup:

Attacking – If after watching the videos of your opponents, you see that they have a weak pack of forwards then when if comes to set plays or lose balls to draw in the opposition pack into rucks or mauls, before you ship the ball out to your backs and use the over lap and other types of passing

Defensive – if you see that the opposition have a strong set of backs then when you come to set plays or lose balls, you get the balls to your backs however get your strongest forward to run with your back for support. 

Kicking game – when a team gets the ball you kick it and the person who catches the ball then will kick the ball back down the pitch.  This set of game play could be used against an opponent who don’t have that many quick people, so will be able to out run them and collect the ball that you have kicked and score tries. Or where a team continues to be put under pressure a kicking game can clear weak defencive lines.   

Running game –playing with the ball in your hands, makes the ball travel, and allows players running forward to pass get more players involved. This set of game play could be used against an opponent who are quick but don’t have strength in there players. 

Keeping ball in backs – this is good way of playing the game because you will be able to use your quicker people to there full potential and you will use the width of the pitch. This is type of playing requires good support from all players including the forwards as backs won’t have the strength when rucking and mauling. 

Keeping ball in forwards – this is good way of playing the game if you have more strength and skill in the forwards than your opposition, or where your own backs are not as strong as the opposition. It slows a game up and limits the extent that a team can more up field, but can be very effective in short distance works where the try line is close. The disadvantage of all forwards play is you won’t have much speed on your side and it can be very tiring.

Strategies

The overall focus of game: after looking at the opposition, it was clear that our backs were matched but we had an advantage with our forward, the opposition were heavier but less mobile and we decide to keep the ball with the forwards in open play as we could get to breakdowns quicker and more effectively. Our backs could be fed decent ball once we have the better of the opposition forwards. Our stronger pack of forward will be able to charge through there forwards and backs and score tries when close to touchlines and give good support to our backs.